At the A1 level, you don't need to use '사고력' in your own speaking yet, but it's good to recognize it. Think of it as 'brain power.' You might see it on a poster for a school or in a book about how to study. It comes from '사고' (thinking) and '력' (power). In English, we just say 'thinking.' If you see this word, just remember it means 'the ability to think.' A1 learners should focus on the basic word '생각' (thought) first, but knowing that '력' means 'power' (like in '체력' - physical strength) will help you understand many other Korean words later on. You won't hear this in a cafe, but you might hear a teacher say it to a student.
At the A2 level, you can start using '사고력' to talk about school or skills. It is a noun. You can say '사고력이 좋아요' (Thinking power is good) or '사고력을 키워요' (I grow my thinking power). This word is very common when talking about children's education or solving puzzles. If you are describing why you like a certain game or book, you can say '이 책은 사고력에 좋아요' (This book is good for thinking power). It's a slightly 'smarter' way to say someone is intelligent. Remember, it's about the *ability* to think, not just a single thought. You'll often see it in sentences with '수학' (math) or '독서' (reading).
For B1 learners, '사고력' becomes an important word for discussing abstract topics like self-improvement and societal issues. You should be able to use it with more complex verbs like '요구하다' (to require) or '발휘하다' (to demonstrate). For example, '이 작업은 깊은 사고력을 요구합니다' (This task requires deep thinking power). You should also recognize common prefixes like '논리적' (logical) or '창의적' (creative) to form phrases like '논리적 사고력'. At this level, you can use the word to explain why certain activities are beneficial for the mind. You might also encounter it in news articles about the education system or technology.
At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between '사고력' and related terms like '지능' (intelligence) or '판단력' (judgment). You can use it in formal presentations or essays. You should be comfortable discussing how '사고력' is developed and its importance in the modern world. For instance, you might argue that '인공지능 시대에는 인간의 비판적 사고력이 더욱 중요해진다' (In the age of AI, human critical thinking power becomes even more important). You should also be aware of the homonym '사고' (accident) and ensure you are using '사고력' only when referring to cognitive abilities. You can use it to describe complex intellectual processes in professional contexts.
C1 learners should use '사고력' with precision, often modifying it with advanced descriptors like '유연한' (flexible), '입체적인' (multi-faceted), or '고차원적인' (high-level). You can discuss the philosophical implications of '사고력' and its role in human evolution or social structures. You might use it in academic writing to analyze cognitive development or the effectiveness of certain pedagogical methods. For example, '학습자의 자율성을 존중하는 교육이 사고력 함양에 효과적이다' (Education that respects learner autonomy is effective for cultivating thinking power). At this level, you should also be able to understand and use it in idiomatic or highly formal settings, such as legal or philosophical debates.
At the C2 level, '사고력' is a tool for nuanced intellectual discourse. You can explore the subtle differences between '사고력' and '통찰력' (insight) or '직관' (intuition). You might use it to critique societal trends, such as how social media might be 'eroding collective thinking power' (집단적 사고력을 저하시키다). You can engage in deep discussions about the nature of consciousness and whether machines can ever truly possess '사고력' in the human sense. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's, employing the word in complex sentence structures and varied registers, from high-level academic journals to sophisticated social commentary.

사고력 30 सेकंड में

  • 사고력 means 'thinking power' or 'reasoning ability.'
  • It is a compound of 'thinking' (사고) and 'power' (력).
  • Commonly used in education, job interviews, and self-improvement.
  • It is a skill that can be nurtured (기르다) or grown (키우다).

The Korean word 사고력 (Sago-ryeok) is a sophisticated noun that translates primarily to 'thinking power,' 'reasoning ability,' or 'intellectual capacity.' In the Korean linguistic landscape, it represents far more than just the act of having thoughts; it describes the systematic, logical, and creative process of analyzing information to reach a conclusion or solve a problem. It is a compound word derived from Hanja (Chinese characters): 사 (思 - to think), 고 (考 - to consider/examine), and 력 (力 - power/ability). When combined, they form a concept that refers to the mental 'muscle' required for deep cognition.

Core Concept
사고력 is not an innate, static trait but a skill that is cultivated through education, reading, and experience. It is the engine behind critical thinking.

You will most frequently encounter this word in educational contexts. In South Korea, a country renowned for its rigorous academic standards, 사고력 is often the ultimate goal of the curriculum. Teachers and parents emphasize '사고력을 키우는 교육' (education that nurtures thinking power) over simple '암기' (rote memorization). This shift reflects a modern understanding that in an information-rich world, the ability to process and synthesize data is more valuable than the ability to simply recall it.

독서는 아이들의 사고력 발달에 큰 도움이 됩니다. (Reading is a great help in the development of children's thinking power.)

Beyond the classroom, 사고력 is a buzzword in the corporate world. Recruiters look for candidates with high 'problem-solving thinking power' (문제 해결 사고력). It implies an employee's ability to remain calm under pressure, analyze a complex situation, and derive a logical path forward. It is often categorized into subtypes: 논리적 사고력 (logical thinking power), 비판적 사고력 (critical thinking power), and 창의적 사고력 (creative thinking power).

Usage in Daily Life
While it sounds formal, you might use it when praising someone's sharp mind or when discussing personal growth goals, such as improving one's ability to analyze complex news or literature.

그 문제는 깊은 사고력을 요구하는 작업이었다. (That problem was a task that required deep thinking power.)

In summary, 사고력 is the bridge between knowing something and understanding how to use that knowledge. It is the mental dexterity that allows humans to navigate ambiguity, solve puzzles, and create new ideas. Whether you are studying for the Suneung (Korean SAT) or just trying to improve your cognitive health, 사고력 is the keyword for intellectual strength.

Synonym Contrast
Compared to '지능' (intelligence), which can feel like a fixed score, '사고력' feels like a skill that can be trained and expanded through effort.

수학 문제를 풀면서 사고력을 길러보세요. (Try to nurture your thinking power while solving math problems.)

철학은 인간의 근본적인 사고력을 시험한다. (Philosophy tests the fundamental thinking power of humans.)

요즘 아이들은 영상 매체에 익숙해져서 사고력이 떨어질까 걱정이다. (I'm worried that children these days might lose their thinking power because they are so used to video media.)

Using 사고력 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often acts as the object of verbs related to growth, requirement, or demonstration. Because it is a conceptual noun, it rarely stands alone in casual conversation; it is usually part of a larger discussion about education, mental health, or professional competency.

Common Verb Pairings
1. 기르다/키우다 (to nurture/grow): Used when talking about improving one's thinking skills.
2. 요구하다 (to require): Used when a task is difficult and needs brainpower.
3. 발휘하다 (to demonstrate/display): Used when someone shows how smart they are in a specific situation.

When you want to say someone has great thinking skills, you use the adjective 뛰어나다 (to be outstanding) or 좋다 (to be good). Conversely, if someone lacks these skills, you might say their 사고력 is 부족하다 (insufficient) or 떨어지다 (to fall/decline).

이 게임은 전략적인 사고력을 기르는 데 유익하다. (This game is beneficial for nurturing strategic thinking power.)

Grammatically, 사고력 is a stable noun. It doesn't change form based on politeness, but the verbs attached to it do. In formal writing, you will see it followed by particles like -은/는 (topic), -이/가 (subject), or -을/를 (object). For example, '사고력이 중요하다' (Thinking power is important) vs '사고력을 높이다' (To increase thinking power).

In more advanced usage, you can prefix 사고력 with other nouns to specify the *kind* of thinking. 수학적 사고력 (mathematical thinking), 인문학적 사고력 (humanistic thinking), and 입체적 사고력 (three-dimensional/multi-faceted thinking) are common academic terms.

Sentence Structure Examples
[Subject] + [사고력] + [Verb].
예: 학생들은 사고력을 키워야 한다. (Students must grow their thinking power.)

복잡한 코딩 문제는 높은 수준의 사고력을 필요로 한다. (Complex coding problems require a high level of thinking power.)

Finally, consider the nuances of '사고력' versus '지식'. If '지식' (knowledge) is the library of books you have, '사고력' is your ability to read them, understand the connections between them, and write your own story based on what you've learned. Therefore, sentences using '사고력' often imply a dynamic process rather than a static state of knowing.

그의 사고력은 나이에 비해 매우 성숙하다. (His thinking power is very mature for his age.)

우리는 창의적인 사고력을 가진 인재를 찾고 있습니다. (We are looking for talented individuals with creative thinking power.)

토론은 서로의 사고력을 확장하는 좋은 방법이다. (Debate is a good way to expand each other's thinking power.)

If you are living in Korea or consuming Korean media, you will hear 사고력 in specific, high-value environments. It is not usually a word used while buying groceries or chatting about the weather, but it is ubiquitous in the following four areas.

1. Education and Academic Counseling
In 'Hagwons' (private academies), teachers often talk to parents about their child's '사고력 수학' (thinking-power math) or '사고력 독서' (thinking-power reading). It's a marketing term used to promise that the academy doesn't just teach formulas, but teaches the student *how* to think.

On news reports concerning the Suneung (CSAT), education experts frequently analyze whether the year's exam focused more on '사고력' or simple knowledge. A 'hard' exam is usually one that requires high 사고력 to solve unfamiliar problems. You'll hear phrases like '사고력을 요구하는 고난도 문항' (high-difficulty questions requiring thinking power).

이번 시험은 학생들의 논리적 사고력을 평가하는 데 초점을 맞췄습니다. (This exam focused on evaluating students' logical thinking power.)

2. Job Interviews and Corporate Training
HR managers in major corporations like Samsung, Hyundai, or SK often use this word during 'PT 면접' (presentation interviews). They want to see if a candidate can think through a business case. They might say, '지원자의 사고력이 돋보였습니다' (The applicant's thinking power stood out).

In the workplace, managers might encourage their team to develop '유연한 사고력' (flexible thinking power) to adapt to changing markets. It is a hallmark of professional competence in the Korean corporate hierarchy.

3. Self-Help and Brain Health Media
YouTube channels focused on productivity or 'brain hacking' frequently discuss how to prevent '사고력 저하' (decline in thinking power) as people age or spend too much time on smartphones. You'll see titles like '사고력을 높이는 5가지 습관' (5 habits to increase your thinking power).

스마트폰 사용이 지나치면 사고력이 감퇴할 수 있습니다. (Excessive smartphone use can lead to a decline in thinking power.)

Lastly, in documentaries or talk shows featuring intellectuals, philosophers, or scientists, 사고력 is used to describe the human capacity for abstraction. It is the word used when discussing what separates humans from AI or other animals—the ability to perform '고차원적 사고' (high-level thinking).

인공지능이 발달해도 인간만의 고유한 사고력은 대체하기 어렵다. (Even if AI develops, it is difficult to replace the unique thinking power of humans.)

그 작가의 책은 독자의 사고력을 끊임없이 자극한다. (That author's books constantly stimulate the reader's thinking power.)

While 사고력 is a relatively straightforward word, learners of Korean often run into three main pitfalls: homonym confusion, incorrect verb collocations, and register mismatches.

1. The 'Accident' Confusion
The word 사고 (Sago) has two very common meanings. One is 'thinking' (思考), and the other is 'accident' (事故). If you hear '사고가 났어요,' it means an accident happened. If you hear '사고를 했어요,' it's a bit awkward because we usually say '생각을 했어요' for a single thought. However, 사고력 *only* refers to thinking power. There is no such thing as 'accident power' in this context. Don't worry about being misunderstood as long as you use the suffix -력.

A common mistake is trying to translate 'critical thinking' as '비판적 생각'. While people will understand you, the correct academic term is 비판적 사고력. Using '생각' makes it sound like a passing opinion, whereas '사고력' makes it sound like a cognitive skill.

❌ 교통 사고력 (Traffic thinking power?)
✅ 교통 사고 (Traffic accident)

2. Using the Wrong Verbs
Learners often use '배우다' (to learn) with 사고력. You don't 'learn' thinking power like you learn a vocabulary word; you '기르다' (nurture), '키우다' (grow), or '향상시키다' (improve/enhance) it. Thinking of it as a muscle helps you choose the right verb.

Another mistake is using '사고력을 하다'. You cannot 'do' thinking power. You 'have' it (사고력이 있다), 'show' it (사고력을 발휘하다), or 'use' it (사고력을 이용하다).

3. Overusing it in Casual Settings
If you are asking a friend what they want for lunch, don't say '네 사고력을 발휘해서 점심 메뉴를 골라봐' (Use your thinking power to pick a lunch menu). It sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic. Use '생각' or '아이디어' (idea) for small, daily choices.

❌ 좋은 사고력이 있어요! (I have a good thinking power! - sounds a bit stiff)
사고력이 뛰어나시네요. (Your thinking power is outstanding.)

Finally, remember that 사고력 is a noun. You cannot attach '-하다' directly to it to make a verb (*사고력하다 is impossible). You must keep the '-력' and '사고' distinct when forming verbs like '사고하다' (to think/meditate).

그는 깊이 사고한 끝에 결정을 내렸다. (He made a decision after thinking deeply.)

수학은 논리적 사고력을 필요로 한다. (Math requires logical thinking power.)

To truly master 사고력, you should know how it compares to other 'power' (-력) words and general terms for intelligence. Korean has a rich vocabulary for specific mental abilities.

사고력 vs. 논리력 (Logical Power)
사고력 is the umbrella term. 논리력 is specifically the ability to follow a sequence of steps without error. You need 사고력 to have 논리력, but 사고력 also includes creativity and intuition.
사고력 vs. 창의력 (Creativity)
창의력 focuses on making something new. While 사고력 is about the process of thinking, 창의력 is about the unique results of that process. They are often used together: '창의적 사고력'.

If you want to be more specific about *what* kind of thinking is happening, consider these alternatives:

  • 이해력 (Ihae-ryeok): Comprehension. The ability to grasp the meaning of what you read or hear.
  • 판단력 (Pandan-ryeok): Judgment. The ability to make a choice or decide if something is right/wrong.
  • 응용력 (Eung-yong-ryeok): Application skills. The ability to take a concept and use it in a new situation.
  • 분석력 (Bunseok-ryeok): Analytical skills. The ability to break a complex topic into smaller parts.

그는 사고력은 좋지만 판단력이 부족할 때가 있다. (He has good thinking power, but there are times when his judgment is lacking.)

When talking about intelligence in a general sense, you might use 지능 (Intelligence) or 머리 (Head/Brain). '머리가 좋다' is the most common way to say someone is smart in casual Korean. '지능' is used in scientific or IQ-related contexts. '사고력' sits in the middle—it's more formal than '머리' but more focused on the *act* of thinking than '지능'.

인문학 공부는 비판적 사고력을 함양하는 데 필수적이다. (Studying humanities is essential for cultivating critical thinking power.)

Summary Table
WordNuance
사고력General thinking/reasoning process
논리력Step-by-step logic and consistency
창의력Novelty and imagination
추리력Deduction (like a detective)

바둑은 수 읽기를 통해 사고력인내심을 길러준다. (Baduk nurtures thinking power and patience through calculating moves.)

How Formal Is It?

रोचक तथ्य

The character '考' (고) also appears in the word '고찰' (investigation) and '고고학' (archaeology), implying a deep, investigative style of thinking.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /sʰa̠ɡo̞ɾjʌ̹k̚/
US /sʰa̠ɡo̞ɾjʌ̹k̚/
In Korean, stress is generally even, but a slight emphasis on the first syllable '사' is common.
तुकबंदी
노력 (Effort) 능력 (Ability) 기억 (Memory) 실력 (Skill) 체력 (Stamina) 협력 (Cooperation) 권력 (Power) 강력 (Strong)
आम गलतियाँ
  • Pronouncing 'ryeok' as 'lee-ok' (don't split the syllable).
  • Over-aspirating the 's' like 'sha'.
  • Releasing the final 'k' too strongly.
  • Confusion with 'sa-go-ryeong' (a different word).
  • Pronouncing 'go' with a long English 'o' like 'go-away'.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 3/5

Common in texts, easy to recognize with Hanja knowledge.

लिखना 4/5

Requires knowing correct collocations like '기르다'.

बोलना 4/5

Slightly formal, sounds stiff if used in casual daily chat.

श्रवण 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with '사고' (accident).

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

생각 공부 문제 사람

आगे सीखें

창의력 논리적 비판적 향상 발휘

उन्नत

통찰력 추론 귀납적 연역적 인지

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Noun + -력 (Suffix for Power/Ability)

상상력 (Imagination), 기억력 (Memory), 집중력 (Concentration).

Noun + -적 (Suffix for Adjective-forming)

논리적 (Logical), 창의적 (Creative), 비판적 (Critical).

Verb '기르다' vs '키우다'

사고력을 기르다 (nurture) / 사고력을 키우다 (grow).

Particle -을/를 요구하다

이 작업은 인내심과 사고력을 요구한다.

Particle -이/가 뛰어나다

그 학생은 사고력이 아주 뛰어나다.

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

사고력이 중요해요.

Thinking power is important.

Subject + Particle -이/가 + Adjective.

2

이 게임은 사고력 게임이에요.

This game is a thinking power game.

Noun + Noun structure.

3

아이의 사고력을 키워요.

Grow the child's thinking power.

Object marker -를 used with the verb '키우다'.

4

수학은 사고력이 필요해요.

Math needs thinking power.

Subject + 필요해요 (to need).

5

사고력이 좋아요.

Thinking power is good.

Common descriptive phrase.

6

사고력을 공부해요.

I study thinking power (skills).

Direct object of '공부해요'.

7

책은 사고력에 좋아요.

Books are good for thinking power.

Dative particle -에 (for/to).

8

사고력이 뭐예요?

What is thinking power?

Question form with '뭐예요'.

1

독서는 사고력을 길러줍니다.

Reading nurtures thinking power.

Verb '기르다' in the honorific present.

2

사고력이 뛰어난 사람이 되고 싶어요.

I want to become a person with outstanding thinking power.

Noun modifying clause: 사고력이 뛰어난.

3

퍼즐을 풀면 사고력이 좋아집니다.

If you solve puzzles, your thinking power gets better.

Conditional -면 (if/when).

4

이 문제는 사고력을 요구해요.

This problem requires thinking power.

Verb '요구하다' (to require).

5

사고력 수학 학원에 다녀요.

I go to a thinking-power math academy.

Compound noun as an adjective.

6

선생님이 제 사고력을 칭찬하셨어요.

The teacher praised my thinking power.

Honorific verb '칭찬하시다'.

7

그는 사고력이 아주 깊어요.

His thinking power is very deep.

Adjective '깊다' (deep).

8

사고력을 높이는 방법을 알려주세요.

Please tell me how to increase thinking power.

Noun modifying phrase '높이는 방법'.

1

토론을 통해 사고력을 확장할 수 있습니다.

You can expand your thinking power through debate.

Through (통해) + can do (수 있다).

2

논리적 사고력은 모든 학문의 기초입니다.

Logical thinking power is the foundation of all studies.

Adjective '논리적' (logical).

3

그는 위기 상황에서 뛰어난 사고력을 발휘했다.

He demonstrated outstanding thinking power in a crisis situation.

Past tense of '발휘하다' (to demonstrate).

4

비판적 사고력을 키우는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to nurture critical thinking power.

Gerund form '-는 것'.

5

창의적인 사고력을 가진 인재를 뽑습니다.

We are hiring talented people with creative thinking power.

Adjective '창의적인' (creative).

6

이 책은 아이들의 사고력 발달을 돕습니다.

This book helps the development of children's thinking power.

Noun '발달' (development).

7

사고력이 떨어지지 않도록 계속 노력해야 해요.

You must keep trying so that your thinking power doesn't decline.

Negative purpose '-지 않도록'.

8

그의 사고력은 보통 사람보다 훨씬 앞서 있다.

His thinking power is much further ahead than ordinary people.

Comparison '보다 훨씬' (much more than).

1

복잡한 현대 사회에서는 유연한 사고력이 필요하다.

In a complex modern society, flexible thinking power is needed.

Adjective '유연한' (flexible).

2

질문하는 습관은 사고력을 향상시키는 지름길이다.

The habit of asking questions is a shortcut to improving thinking power.

Noun '지름길' (shortcut).

3

그의 주장은 사고력의 한계를 보여준다.

His argument shows the limits of (his) thinking power.

Genitive particle '-의' (of).

4

철학은 인간의 근본적인 사고력을 시험하는 학문이다.

Philosophy is a study that tests human's fundamental thinking power.

Adjective '근본적인' (fundamental).

5

사고력을 증진시키기 위해 다양한 관점을 수용해야 한다.

To promote thinking power, one must accept various perspectives.

Purpose '-기 위해'.

6

이 문제는 단순한 지식보다는 사고력을 요구하는 유형이다.

This problem is a type that requires thinking power rather than simple knowledge.

Comparison 'A보다는 B'.

7

아이들의 사고력을 자극하는 환경을 만들어주세요.

Please create an environment that stimulates children's thinking power.

Verb '자극하다' (to stimulate).

8

글쓰기는 자신의 사고력을 정리하는 가장 좋은 방법이다.

Writing is the best way to organize one's thinking power.

Verb '정리하다' (to organize/tidy).

1

인문학적 사고력은 기술 문명의 부작용을 해결하는 열쇠다.

Humanistic thinking power is the key to solving the side effects of technological civilization.

Adjective '인문학적' (humanistic).

2

고도의 사고력을 요하는 전문직 종사자들이 늘고 있다.

The number of professionals requiring a high level of thinking power is increasing.

Noun '고도' (high level/altitude).

3

그의 연설은 청중의 사고력을 마비시킬 정도로 강력했다.

His speech was powerful enough to paralyze the audience's thinking power.

Degree '-을 정도로' (to the extent that).

4

사고력을 배양하는 교육 시스템의 혁신이 시급하다.

Innovation of the education system to cultivate thinking power is urgent.

Verb '배양하다' (to cultivate/culture).

5

추상적 사고력은 인간만이 가진 고유한 능력 중 하나다.

Abstract thinking power is one of the unique abilities possessed only by humans.

Adjective '추상적' (abstract).

6

그 논문은 현대인의 사고력 감퇴 현상을 심도 있게 다뤘다.

That paper dealt in depth with the phenomenon of declining thinking power in modern people.

Adverbial '심도 있게' (in depth).

7

우리는 입체적인 사고력을 통해 복합적인 갈등을 해결해야 한다.

We must solve complex conflicts through multi-faceted thinking power.

Adjective '입체적인' (three-dimensional/multi-faceted).

8

사고력의 부재는 맹목적인 추종으로 이어질 위험이 있다.

The absence of thinking power has the risk of leading to blind following.

Noun '부재' (absence).

1

사고력의 지평을 넓히는 것은 자아실현의 핵심 과정이다.

Expanding the horizon of thinking power is a core process of self-actualization.

Metaphor '지평을 넓히다' (expand horizons).

2

포스트모더니즘은 기존의 이성적 사고력에 대한 근본적인 의문을 제기한다.

Postmodernism raises fundamental questions about existing rational thinking power.

Verb '제기하다' (to raise/propose).

3

집단 사고력의 붕괴는 민주주의의 존립을 위협하는 요소다.

The collapse of collective thinking power is an element that threatens the existence of democracy.

Noun '존립' (existence/survival).

4

인공지능의 연산 능력과 인간의 사고력 사이의 경계가 모호해지고 있다.

The boundary between AI's computational ability and human thinking power is becoming blurred.

Adjective '모호하다' (vague/blurred).

5

철학적 사고력은 시대의 어둠을 밝히는 등불과도 같다.

Philosophical thinking power is like a lamp that brightens the darkness of the times.

Simile '-와/과도 같다' (is like).

6

개인의 사고력이 거대 담론에 매몰되지 않도록 경계해야 한다.

One must be wary so that individual thinking power is not buried in grand narratives.

Passive '매몰되다' (to be buried).

7

사고력은 단순한 지능의 발현을 넘어 존재의 양식을 결정한다.

Thinking power goes beyond simple manifestation of intelligence and determines the mode of existence.

Phrase 'A를 넘어 B' (beyond A, B).

8

통찰력 있는 사고력은 복잡계의 본질을 꿰뚫는 힘을 제공한다.

Insightful thinking power provides the strength to pierce through the essence of complex systems.

Verb '꿰뚫다' (to pierce through).

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

사고력을 기르다
사고력을 키우다
사고력이 뛰어나다
사고력을 요구하다
사고력을 발휘하다
사고력이 부족하다
사고력이 떨어지다
사고력을 높이다
비판적 사고력
논리적 사고력

सामान्य वाक्यांश

사고력 수학

— A type of math education focused on logic and problem-solving rather than rote calculation.

우리 아이는 사고력 수학 학원에 다녀요.

사고력 독서

— Reading with the goal of improving critical thinking and comprehension.

사고력 독서가 성적 향상에 도움이 됩니다.

사고력 결핍

— A lack of thinking ability, often used in social critiques.

현대 사회의 사고력 결핍이 우려된다.

사고력 훈련

— Brain training or exercises meant to boost cognition.

매일 사고력 훈련을 하고 있어요.

사고력 문제

— A riddle or logic puzzle designed to test reasoning.

이 사고력 문제는 아주 어렵네요.

사고력 향상

— The improvement of one's thinking skills.

사고력 향상을 위해 신문을 읽으세요.

사고력 위주

— Focusing primarily on thinking skills.

사고력 위주의 교육 방식.

사고력 평가

— An evaluation of one's reasoning abilities.

사고력 평가 점수가 높게 나왔다.

사고력 증진

— The promotion or boosting of thinking power.

사고력 증진을 위한 다양한 활동.

사고력 저하

— A decline in cognitive abilities.

피곤하면 사고력 저하가 일어난다.

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

사고력 vs 사고 (Accident)

Identical spelling and pronunciation. Context is key.

사고력 vs 사고 (Thinking)

The root of 사고력. 사고 is the act, 사고력 is the ability.

사고력 vs 실력 (Skill)

General skill, while 사고력 is specifically mental/cognitive.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"머리를 쓰다"

— To use one's head (to think hard).

사고력을 발휘하려면 머리를 써야 해.

Informal
"머리가 돌아가다"

— One's brain is working/spinning (thinking fast).

그는 사고력이 좋아서 머리가 잘 돌아가.

Informal
"깊이 생각하다"

— To think deeply (the core action of 사고력).

사고력을 기르려면 깊이 생각하는 습관이 필요해.

Neutral
"무릎을 탁 치다"

— To slap one's knee (a sudden realization through thinking).

사고력을 발휘해 문제를 풀고 무릎을 탁 쳤다.

Informal
"앞뒤를 재다"

— To measure the front and back (to think logically/cautiously).

사고력이 있는 사람은 앞뒤를 잘 잰다.

Neutral
"생각의 틀을 깨다"

— To break the mold of thinking (creative thinking).

창의적 사고력은 생각의 틀을 깨는 데서 온다.

Neutral
"머리를 맞대다"

— To put heads together (collective thinking).

우리 머리를 맞대고 사고력을 모아보자.

Neutral
"실마리를 찾다"

— To find a clue (the result of using thinking power).

사고력을 발휘해 문제의 실마리를 찾았다.

Neutral
"뼈가 있는 말"

— Words with bones (words that require thinking to understand the hidden meaning).

그의 말은 사고력이 필요한 뼈가 있는 말이었다.

Neutral
"한 치 앞을 못 보다"

— Cannot see even an inch ahead (lacking foresight/thinking power).

사고력이 없으면 한 치 앞을 못 본다.

Neutral

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

사고력 vs 지능

Both relate to being smart.

지능 (Intelligence) is often seen as innate/fixed (like IQ). 사고력 is seen as a skill to be trained.

지능 지수 (IQ) vs 사고력 훈련 (Thinking training).

사고력 vs 암기력

Both are mental 'powers' (-력).

암기력 is the power to memorize. 사고력 is the power to process and understand.

암기력으로 단어를 외우고, 사고력으로 문장을 만든다.

사고력 vs 집중력

Both are needed for studying.

집중력 is the power to focus. 사고력 is the power to reason while focused.

집중력이 있어야 사고력을 발휘할 수 있다.

사고력 vs 상상력

Both involve the mind forming ideas.

상상력 is about picturing things that aren't there. 사고력 is about logical processing.

소설가는 상상력이, 수학자는 사고력이 필요하다.

사고력 vs 이해력

Both involve processing information.

이해력 is the 'input' (grasping meaning). 사고력 is the 'processing' (connecting and solving).

글을 읽는 이해력과 문제를 푸는 사고력.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

A2

[Noun]은/는 사고력에 좋다.

바둑은 사고력에 좋다.

A2

사고력을 키우기 위해 [Verb]-아/어/여요.

사고력을 키우기 위해 책을 읽어요.

B1

[Noun]은/는 사고력을 요구한다.

이 문제는 깊은 사고력을 요구한다.

B1

사고력이 뛰어난 [Noun].

사고력이 뛰어난 인재.

B2

사고력을 발휘하여 [Verb].

사고력을 발휘하여 문제를 해결했다.

B2

사고력이 떨어질까 봐 걱정이다.

사고력이 떨어질까 봐 걱정이다.

C1

사고력의 지평을 넓히다.

철학은 사고력의 지평을 넓혀준다.

C2

사고력의 부재가 초래한 결과.

사고력의 부재가 초래한 결과는 참혹했다.

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

사고 (Thinking)
생각 (Thought)
이성 (Reason)

क्रिया

사고하다 (To think deeply)
생각하다 (To think)

विशेषण

사고적인 (Thoughtful/Reflective)

संबंधित

지능
창의성
논리
해결
발달

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

High in academic, professional, and self-help contexts.

सामान्य गलतियाँ
  • 사고력을 배우다 사고력을 기르다 / 키우다

    You don't 'learn' thinking power like a fact; you nurture it like a plant or muscle.

  • 사고력하다 사고하다

    You can't make a verb directly from '사고력'. You must use the root '사고' or keep it as a noun phrase.

  • 교통 사고력이 났어요 교통 사고가 났어요

    Adding '-력' turns 'accident' into 'thinking power.' Don't use it for car crashes!

  • 사고력을 가지다 사고력을 갖추다 / 있다

    While '가지다' is okay, '갖추다' (to be equipped with) sounds much more natural for a skill.

  • 사고력이 예뻐요 사고력이 뛰어나요 / 좋아요

    You can't use 'pretty' for thinking power. Use 'outstanding' or 'good'.

सुझाव

The Brain Muscle

Treat '사고력' as a muscle. You don't just 'have' muscles; you 'grow' (키우다) them. This helps you remember the most common verb pairing.

School Context

If you are talking about Korean education, '사고력' is your magic word. It's the goal of every high-achieving student.

Suffix Power

Learn the suffix '-력'. Once you know it means 'power,' you can unlock words like '기억력' (memory), '체력' (stamina), and '상상력' (imagination).

Reading is Key

In Korean, '독서' (reading) and '사고력' are best friends. You will almost always see them together in sentences.

Don't Crash

Remember that '사고' can be an accident. If someone says '사고 났어!', don't compliment their thinking power! Only '-력' makes it a skill.

Interview Gold

Use '논리적 사고력' in job interviews. It sounds much more professional than just saying you are smart.

Essay Tips

When writing a Korean essay, use '사고력을 함양하다' instead of '사고력을 키우다' for a high-level, academic feel.

The 'Sago-ryeok' Math

If you see a sign for '사고력 수학,' it's not 'Accident Math.' It's logic-based math. Very important for understanding Korean street signs!

The 'R' Sound

The 'ryeok' in '사고력' sounds like a quick flap. Practice it so it doesn't sound like 'lee-ok'.

Praising Others

Instead of '사고력이 좋네요,' try '사고력이 정말 뛰어나시네요' to sound more natural and polite when praising someone's intellect.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of 'SAGO' as a brain 'SAGA' (a long story) and 'RYEOK' as 'ROCK' (strength). Your thinking power is your 'Saga-Rock'!

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a weightlifter lifting a giant brain instead of a barbell. The strength of the lift is the '사고력'.

Word Web

Logic Brain Power Education Puzzle Philosophy Success Skill

चैलेंज

Try to use '사고력' in a sentence about your favorite hobby today. For example: 'Learning Korean improves my 사고력!'

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja). '사' (思) + '고' (考) + '력' (力).

मूल अर्थ: The power of reflecting and examining.

Sino-Korean

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Be careful not to imply someone *lacks* 사고력 (사고력이 부족하다) unless in a very clinical or educational context, as it can be insulting to their intelligence.

In English, we often use 'critical thinking' or 'problem-solving skills' where Koreans use '사고력'.

The term is frequently used in 'Mensa Korea' discussions. Popular educational cartoons like 'Why?' often mention developing 사고력. Leading Korean tech CEOs often cite '사고력' as the most important trait in employees.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

In a Classroom

  • 선생님, 사고력을 어떻게 키워요?
  • 이 문제는 사고력이 필요해요.
  • 사고력 수학 책을 샀어요.
  • 친구의 사고력이 부러워요.

In a Job Interview

  • 제 장점은 논리적 사고력입니다.
  • 복잡한 문제를 사고력으로 해결했습니다.
  • 사고력을 발휘한 경험이 있습니다.
  • 회사는 사고력 있는 인재를 원합니다.

At a Bookstore

  • 사고력 훈련 책 어디 있어요?
  • 이 책은 사고력 발달에 좋나요?
  • 어린이용 사고력 교재입니다.
  • 베스트셀러 사고력 도서.

Discussing a Hobby (like Chess)

  • 체스는 사고력에 좋은 게임이야.
  • 상대방의 사고력이 대단해.
  • 사고력을 써서 이겼어.
  • 이 게임은 사고력을 자극해.

Watching News/Documentary

  • 현대인의 사고력 저하 문제.
  • AI와 인간의 사고력 차이.
  • 교육의 목적은 사고력 함양.
  • 사고력을 평가하는 기준.

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"어떤 취미가 사고력을 기르는 데 가장 좋다고 생각하세요?"

"요즘 아이들이 스마트폰 때문에 사고력이 떨어진다는 의견에 동의하시나요?"

"사고력을 높이기 위해 특별히 하시는 노력이 있나요?"

"살면서 사고력을 가장 많이 발휘했던 순간은 언제였나요?"

"학교에서 지식 암기보다 사고력 교육을 더 중시해야 할까요?"

डायरी विषय

오늘 내가 사고력을 발휘해서 해결한 작은 문제는 무엇인가요?

내가 생각하는 '사고력이 뛰어난 사람'의 특징 3가지를 적어보세요.

독서가 나의 사고력에 어떤 영향을 주었는지 기록해 보세요.

만약 인공지능이 인간보다 뛰어난 사고력을 갖게 된다면 세상은 어떻게 변할까요?

나의 사고력을 향상시키기 위한 이번 달의 목표를 세워보세요.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Not exactly. '사고' is thinking, and '력' is power/ability. So '사고력' is the *ability* to think effectively, rather than just the act of thinking itself.

No. While '사고' means accident, '사고력' exclusively means thinking power. You would say '사고 발생' or '사고 현장' for accidents.

It's a popular education trend in Korea. It focuses on logic, puzzles, and critical thinking rather than just memorizing formulas and doing repetitive calculations.

You can say '사고력을 키우다' or '사고력을 향상시키다'. '키우다' is more common in daily speech, while '향상시키다' is more formal.

It might sound a bit formal. Usually, with friends, you'd say '머리 진짜 좋다' (Your head is really good/You're smart) or '생각을 잘한다' (You think well).

思考力. 思 (Think), 考 (Consider), 力 (Power).

Yes, it's a component of what people consider intelligence, but in Korea, '사고력' is often discussed as something you can improve with effort, whereas IQ (지능) is seen as more fixed.

It's more natural to say '사고력이 부족하다' (insufficient) or '사고력이 낮다' (low) than '나쁘다' (bad).

Yes! '창의적 사고력' (creative thinking power) is a very common term used to describe the mental process of creating art or new ideas.

You'll see it every day in news, advertisements for schools, and books. You might not *say* it every day unless you work in education or a professional field.

खुद को परखो 200 सवाल

writing

Write a sentence using '사고력' and '기르다'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'Math requires logical thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence praising someone's thinking power.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

How do you say 'Thinking power is important' in Korean?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'I am solving puzzles to increase my thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence using '비판적 사고력'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'This task requires deep thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence about '사고력 수학'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'Reading is good for thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence about AI and thinking power.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'His thinking power is mature for his age.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence using '사고력을 발휘하다'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'I want to improve my thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence about why thinking power is needed in the future.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'The teacher praised my thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence using '사고력 저하'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'Philosophy expands the horizon of thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence using '입체적 사고력'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Translate: 'He is a person with outstanding thinking power.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence about a '사고력 게임'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Explain what '사고력' means in your own words (in Korean if possible).

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

How can you improve your '사고력'? (Answer in Korean).

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Why is '사고력' important in a job?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Describe a person you know who has great '사고력'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Do you think games help '사고력'? Why?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

What is the difference between 'knowledge' and '사고력'?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

How do you say 'Your thinking power is outstanding' politely?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Tell me about a time you used your '사고력'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Is '사고력' more important than memorization? Why?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

What kind of books are good for '사고력'?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

How can parents help their children's '사고력'?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

What happens if a person's '사고력' declines?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Is '사고력' related to creativity?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Pronounce '사고력' correctly.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Use '사고력' in a sentence about math.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Why is '사고력' a 'power' (-력)?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Do you want to improve your '사고력'? How?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

What is '비판적 사고력' in English?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Give an example of a '사고력 문제'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

How does '사고력' help in daily life?

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and write the word: [사고력]

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen to the sentence and translate: '사고력을 키우세요.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify the verb: '사고력을 발휘하다.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and choose the meaning: '사고력 수학 학원'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '그는 사고력이 뛰어나요.' Is it positive or negative?

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and fill in the blank: '____이 중요합니다.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and translate: '논리적 사고력'.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify the topic: '독서는 사고력을 길러줍니다.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen: '사고력이 부족해요.' What is the problem?

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen: '비판적 사고력을 키워야 합니다.' What kind of thinking power?

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and write: '사고력 훈련'.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen: '사고력이 떨어졌어요.' Did it go up or down?

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and choose the correct Hanja: [사고력]

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen: '이 문제는 사고력을 요구해요.' What does the problem do?

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and write: '창의적 사고력'.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

संबंधित सामग्री

academic के और शब्द

입체적

B2

त्रिविमीय (3D) प्रभाव होना या किसी चीज़ को एक ही सपाट दृष्टिकोण के बजाय कई दृष्टिकोणों से देखना।

~에 관해

B1

एक वाक्यांश जिसका अर्थ है 'के बारे में' या 'के संबंध में'। इसका उपयोग औपचारिक संदर्भों में विषय पेश करने के लिए किया जाता है।

~에 대하여

A2

किसी विशेष विषय के बारे में या उसके संबंध में। 'हम पर्यावरण के बारे में बात कर रहे हैं।'

~대해

A2

इसका अर्थ है 'के बारे में' या 'के विषय में'। इसका उपयोग यह बताने के लिए किया जाता है कि आप किस बारे में बात कर रहे हैं।

~에 관하여

A2

किसी विषय के बारे में या उसके संबंध में। रिपोर्ट या भाषण जैसी औपचारिक स्थितियों में उपयोग किया जाता है।

~에 대해(서)

A1

चर्चा के विषय या मुद्दे को इंगित करता है, जिसका अर्थ है 'के बारे में' या 'के संबंध में'। इसका उपयोग अक्सर बोलने या सोचने जैसी क्रियाओं के साथ किया जाता है।

무엇보다

A2

सब से ऊपर; किसी भी चीज़ से ज़्यादा।

결석생

A2

A student who is absent from class.

추상화하다

B2

अमूर्त करना (Abstract): किसी चीज़ को उसके भौतिक वास्तविकता से अलग या सैद्धांतिक रूप से विचार करना।

추상

A2

Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.

क्या यह मददगार था?
अभी तक कोई टिप्पणी नहीं। अपने विचार साझा करने वाले पहले व्यक्ति बनें!