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B1 noun #1,500 よく出る 8分で読める

경쟁

gyeongjaeng 上位1,500

練習する例文メモとヒント 경쟁 30秒で

解説 경쟁 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '경쟁' (gyeong-jaeng) as 'playing a game to win.' Even though it's a B1 word, you might hear it when talking about sports or games. In Korean, we often say '경쟁해요' (I compete). Imagine you are running a race with a friend. That is '경쟁.' At this level, just remember that '경쟁' means trying to be better than someone else. You can use it simply: '친구와 경쟁해요' (I compete with my friend). It's a noun, but you add '해요' to make it an action. Don't worry about the difficult social meanings yet; just think of it as 'trying to win.'

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At the A2 level, you should start using '경쟁' in more specific contexts like school or simple games. You might learn phrases like '경쟁이 심해요' (The competition is severe/hard). This is a very common sentence in Korea because students study very hard. You can also use it to talk about prices: '가게들이 경쟁해요' (The stores are competing). You should know that '경쟁' is a noun and '경쟁하다' is the verb. Try to remember that it's not just for sports; it's for any time people are trying to get the same thing, like a good grade or a cheap price.

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At the B1 level, you should understand '경쟁' as a major social theme in Korea. You will see this word in news articles about the economy and in essays about education. You should be able to use adjectives like '치열한' (fierce) with it: '치열한 경쟁' (fierce competition). You should also distinguish between '경쟁' (the act of competing) and '시합' ( a specific match). At this level, you can talk about the pros and cons of competition. For example, '경쟁은 발전에 도움이 됩니다' (Competition helps development). You are moving from simple 'winning' to the broader concept of 'rivalry' and 'striving.'

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '경쟁' in academic and professional settings. You should know collocations like '경쟁력을 갖추다' (to possess competitiveness) and '경쟁에서 우위를 점하다' (to gain an advantage in competition). You can discuss complex topics like '무한 경쟁 시대' (the era of infinite competition) and how it affects society. You should also be able to use the word in the context of biology (survival of the fittest) or high-level economics. Your sentences should be more complex, using particles like '-에 있어서' (in terms of) or '-을/를 토대로' (based on).

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At the C1 level, you should understand the deep cultural and philosophical implications of '경쟁' in Korean society. You can analyze terms like '선의의 경쟁' (good-faith competition) versus '과잉 경쟁' (over-competition). You should be able to use the word in formal debates about neoliberalism, social welfare, and the 'Hell Joseon' phenomenon. You should also be familiar with more formal synonyms like '경합' and '쟁탈.' Your usage should reflect an understanding of how competition drives innovation but also social inequality. You can use it in nuanced ways, such as '경쟁의 이면' (the other side of competition).

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '경쟁.' You can use it to discuss abstract concepts like '상징적 경쟁' (symbolic competition) or '구조적 경쟁' (structural competition). You can write sophisticated critiques of the competitive nature of the global market or the Korean education system using advanced Hanja-based vocabulary. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its role in national identity. You can use '경쟁' in any register, from poetic metaphors to dense legal or economic texts, without hesitation. You are also aware of the psychological nuances, such as '경쟁 불안' (competitive anxiety).

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練習する例文メモとヒント

경쟁 30秒で

경쟁 (Gyeong-jaeng) means competition or rivalry.
It is a key concept in Korean education, business, and society.
Commonly used with the verb '하다' (to compete) or '벌이다' (to wage competition).
Often described as '치열하다' (fierce) or '공정하다' (fair).

The Korean word 경쟁 (Gyeong-jaeng) is a cornerstone of modern Korean social discourse, reflecting a society built on rapid development and high-stakes achievement. At its core, it refers to a situation where two or more parties strive to outdo each other to obtain a limited resource, status, or victory. While the English word 'competition' can sometimes carry a playful or lighthearted connotation (like a friendly board game), the Korean 경쟁 often carries a weightier, more serious tone, frequently associated with survival, social mobility, and national progress.

Etymological Roots: The word is composed of two Hanja characters: 競 (경), which depicts two people racing or competing, and 爭 (쟁), which illustrates two hands struggling over an object. Together, they form a powerful image of both the 'race' and the 'struggle' inherent in competition.
Societal Context: In South Korea, 경쟁 is most visible in the education system (the 'Entrance Exam War') and the corporate world (the 'Rat Race'). It is the engine that drove the 'Miracle on the Han River,' but it is also the subject of much debate regarding mental health and social pressure.

우리 사회는 너무 치열한 경쟁 속에 놓여 있다. (Our society is placed within too fierce a competition.)

— A common sentiment in Korean social commentary.

You will encounter this word in almost every facet of Korean life. In business, companies engage in 가격 경쟁 (price competition) or 기술 경쟁 (technological competition). In schools, students face 입시 경쟁 (entrance exam competition). Even in nature, animals engage in 생존 경쟁 (struggle for survival). The word is versatile, moving from biological imperatives to high-level economic theories.

두 기업은 시장 점유율을 높이기 위해 경쟁하고 있다. (The two companies are competing to increase their market share.)

Positive vs. Negative Connotations: Koreans often distinguish between 선의의 경쟁 (good-faith competition), which encourages growth and mutual respect, and 과도한 경쟁 (excessive competition), which leads to burnout and social fragmentation.

Understanding 경쟁 is key to understanding the Korean psyche. It is not just about winning; it is about the constant pressure to improve, to be better than yesterday, and to ensure one does not fall behind in a fast-paced environment. This cultural nuance makes the word much more intense than its English counterpart in many contexts.

Using 경쟁 correctly requires an understanding of its common collocations and the grammatical structures that support it. As a noun, it often functions as the subject or object of a sentence, frequently paired with descriptive adjectives that indicate the intensity of the rivalry.

Common Adjectives

치열한 경쟁 (Fierce competition): The most common pairing, used for exams, jobs, and markets.
심한 경쟁 (Severe competition): Used when the pressure is palpably high.
공정한 경쟁 (Fair competition): Often used in legal or ethical discussions.
무한 경쟁 (Infinite competition): Describes the globalized, non-stop competitive world.

이번 신입 사원 채용은 경쟁이 매우 치열했습니다. (The competition for this new employee recruitment was very fierce.)

When you want to say 'to compete,' you use the verb form 경쟁하다. This verb usually takes the particle -와/과 (with) to indicate the opponent, or -을/를 위해 (for) to indicate the goal.

우리는 최고의 자리를 놓고 서로 경쟁하고 있어요. (We are competing with each other for the top spot.)

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + [Target]-와/과 경쟁하다: Subject competes with Target.
경쟁이 붙다: Competition has started/ignited (idiomatic).
경쟁에서 밀려나다: To be pushed out of the competition (to lose).
경쟁을 뚫다: To break through the competition (to succeed against many).

그는 수많은 경쟁을 뚫고 마침내 우승을 차지했다. (He broke through numerous competitions and finally took the championship.)

In academic writing, particularly for exams like TOPIK or IELTS (translated), 경쟁 is used to discuss globalization, education policy, and economic growth. It is essential to use formal endings like -ㅂ니다/습니다 or -ㄴ다/다 when writing about these topics.

If you turn on a Korean news broadcast or watch a documentary, you will hear 경쟁 within the first five minutes. It is a keyword in the national narrative of South Korea. Here are the specific domains where the word is most prevalent:

1. News and Economics: News anchors frequently discuss 국가 경쟁력 (national competitiveness). This refers to how well Korea is doing compared to other nations in terms of exports, technology, and soft power. You'll also hear about 수출 경쟁 (export competition) between major conglomerates like Samsung and Apple.
2. Education and School Life: In schools, teachers might talk about 입시 경쟁 (college entrance competition). Parents often worry about their children falling behind in this 치열한 경쟁. You might hear students say, "경쟁이 너무 심해서 스트레스 받아요" (The competition is so severe I'm getting stressed).

글로벌 시장에서의 경쟁은 더욱 가속화될 전망입니다. (Competition in the global market is expected to accelerate further.)

Reality TV is another major source. Korea is famous for its 'survival' audition shows (like Produce 101, Show Me The Money, or Physical: 100). In these shows, the word 경쟁 is used constantly to describe the stakes and the relationships between contestants. The drama Squid Game is essentially a dark allegory for the 무한 경쟁 (infinite competition) of modern society.

이번 오디션은 실력파들이 많아서 경쟁이 장난이 아니에요. (This audition has many talented people, so the competition is no joke.)

In everyday life, you might hear it in sports commentary or even when people are trying to get a seat on a crowded subway during rush hour (though usually in a joking or slightly frustrated manner). It is a word that describes the pulse of a high-energy, high-density society.

While 경쟁 is a straightforward noun, English speakers often make mistakes by confusing it with similar concepts or using the wrong verb pairings. Understanding these nuances will make your Korean sound much more natural.

1. Confusing '경쟁' with '시합' or '경기': In English, 'competition' can mean a specific event (e.g., "I'm entering a dance competition"). In Korean, for a specific event or match, you should use 시합 (si-hap) or 경기 (gyeong-gi). 경쟁 refers to the act or the state of competing, not the event itself. You don't 'enter a 경쟁'; you 'engage in 경쟁'.
2. Using the wrong verb: '경쟁을 싸우다': Students often try to say 'fight a competition' literally. However, the correct natural expressions are 경쟁을 하다 (to do competition) or 경쟁을 벌이다 (to wage/conduct competition). If you want to use 'fight,' you say 경쟁에서 싸우다 (to fight in the competition).

❌ 테니스 경쟁에 나갔어요. (I went to a tennis competition - awkward)
✅ 테니스 시합에 나갔어요. (I went to a tennis match.)

3. Misusing '경쟁력': English speakers sometimes say "He has a lot of competition" when they mean "He is very competitive." In Korean, if someone is good at competing, they have 경쟁력 (competitiveness). If they like to compete, they have a strong 경쟁심 (competitive spirit).

❌ 그는 경쟁이 많아요. (He has a lot of competition - sounds like many people are attacking him)
✅ 그는 경쟁심이 강해요. (He has a strong competitive spirit.)

Finally, remember that 경쟁 is a noun. To use it as an adjective before another noun, you often need to use the form 경쟁적인 (competitive) or simply use it in a compound noun like 경쟁 상대 (competitor/rival).

To truly master Korean, you need to know when to use 경쟁 and when to choose a more specific synonym. Here is a breakdown of words that overlap with 'competition' but have distinct nuances.

경쟁 vs. 시합 (Si-hap): 경쟁 is the abstract concept or the ongoing struggle. 시합 is a scheduled match or game with specific rules, usually in sports. You can have 경쟁 between two teams throughout a season, but today they are playing a 시합.
경쟁 vs. 경합 (Gyeong-hap): 경합 is a more formal, academic, or journalistic term. It is often used when multiple parties are vying for a single prize, contract, or political seat. It implies a 'clash' or 'contention.' You'll see this in headlines like "Three companies are in 경합 for the new airport project."
경쟁 vs. 다툼 (Da-tum): 다툼 means a quarrel, struggle, or dispute. While 경쟁 is often structured and sometimes productive, 다툼 usually implies a conflict or an argument. However, in legal terms, 권리 다툼 (dispute over rights) is common.

두 후보가 치열하게 경합을 벌이고 있습니다. (The two candidates are fiercely contending with each other.)

Other related words include 겨룸 (Gyeo-rum), a native Korean word for 'matching strength' or 'competing,' often used in more traditional or literary contexts. There is also 승부 (Seung-bu), which refers to the 'victory or defeat' aspect of a competition—the 'showdown.'

Summary Table

경쟁: General competition/rivalry (Hanja).
시합: A specific match/game.
경합: Formal contention/clash.
다툼: Quarrel/dispute (Native).
겨룸: Contest/matching strength (Native).

By choosing the right word, you show a deeper understanding of the context. For example, calling a business rivalry a 다툼 makes it sound like a petty argument, whereas calling it 경쟁 or 경합 gives it the professional weight it deserves.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The character 競 (경) actually contains two identical parts that look like 'brothers' or 'people' (兄) standing on 'legs' (儿), representing a race between equals.

発音ガイド

UK /ɡjʌŋ.dʑɛŋ/

US /ɡjʌŋ.dʑɛŋ/

In Korean, syllables usually have equal weight, but a slight pitch rise on the first syllable is common in this word.

韻が合う語

전쟁 (War) 인생 (Life) 동생 (Younger sibling) 학생 (Student) 선생 (Teacher) 발생 (Occurrence) 재생 (Regeneration) 탄생 (Birth)

よくある間違い

Pronouncing it as 'Gyeong-je' (economy).
Making the 'j' sound too much like 'z'.
Failing to pronounce the 'ng' (ㅇ) at the end of the first syllable.
Pronouncing 'ae' (ㅐ) like 'e' (ㅔ) - though in modern Seoul dialect, they are almost identical.
Adding an extra vowel sound between 'g' and 'j'.

難易度

読解 3/5

Common in news and books, easy to recognize.

ライティング 4/5

Requires knowledge of specific collocations like '치열하다'.

スピーキング 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires clarity on 'ng' sounds.

リスニング 3/5

Frequently heard in media and daily talk about work/school.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

이기다 지다 싸우다 학교 회사

次に学ぶ

경쟁력 경쟁심 경합 우위 열세

上級

신자유주의 적자생존 독과점 시장경제

知っておくべき文法

-와/과 경쟁하다

삼성은 애플과 경쟁한다.

-을/를 놓고 경쟁하다

우승컵을 놓고 경쟁한다.

-기 위한 경쟁

살아남기 위한 경쟁이 시작되었다.

-에 있어서의 경쟁

기술에 있어서의 경쟁이 중요하다.

-보다 경쟁력이 있다

이 제품이 저 제품보다 경쟁력이 있다.

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レベル別の例文

우리는 게임에서 경쟁해요.

We compete in the game.

경쟁 + 해요 (verb form)

친구와 달리기 경쟁을 했어요.

I had a running competition with a friend.

경쟁을 하다 (to do a competition)

경쟁은 재미있어요.

Competition is fun.

경쟁 (subject)

누구와 경쟁해요?

Who are you competing with?

-와 (with)

저는 경쟁을 좋아해요.

I like competition.

경쟁을 (object)

우리 팀은 경쟁에서 이겼어요.

Our team won in the competition.

경쟁에서 (in the competition)

경쟁하지 마세요.

Please don't compete.

-지 마세요 (prohibition)

작은 경쟁이 있어요.

There is a small competition.

이/가 있어요 (existence)

요즘 학교에서 경쟁이 심해요.

Competition is severe in schools these days.

심하다 (to be severe)

두 가게가 가격 경쟁을 해요.

Two stores are having a price competition.

가격 경쟁 (price competition)

경쟁에서 지면 슬퍼요.

It's sad if you lose in a competition.

-면 (if)

더 좋은 결과를 위해 경쟁해요.

We compete for better results.

-을 위해 (for)

이것은 건강한 경쟁입니다.

This is a healthy competition.

건강한 (healthy/adjective)

경쟁 상대가 누구예요?

Who is your competitor?

경쟁 상대 (competitor)

우리는 서로 경쟁하는 사이예요.

We are in a relationship where we compete with each other.

경쟁하는 (competing/present participle)

경쟁을 통해 발전할 수 있어요.

We can develop through competition.

통해 (through)

취업 시장의 경쟁이 매우 치열합니다.

Competition in the job market is very fierce.

치열하다 (fierce)

선의의 경쟁은 서로에게 도움이 됩니다.

Good-faith competition is helpful to each other.

선의의 (good-faith)

그 기업은 세계 시장에서 경쟁하고 있다.

That company is competing in the global market.

진행형 (-고 있다)

과도한 경쟁은 스트레스를 유발합니다.

Excessive competition causes stress.

유발하다 (to cause/trigger)

경쟁보다는 협력이 더 중요할 때가 있습니다.

There are times when cooperation is more important than competition.

-보다 (than)

그는 경쟁심이 아주 강한 사람이에요.

He is a person with a very strong competitive spirit.

경쟁심 (competitive spirit)

경쟁에서 이기기 위해 최선을 다했어요.

I did my best to win in the competition.

-기 위해 (in order to)

이 제품은 가격 경쟁력이 뛰어납니다.

This product has excellent price competitiveness.

경쟁력 (competitiveness)

무한 경쟁 시대에 살아남기 위해서는 자기 계발이 필수적이다.

In the era of infinite competition, self-development is essential to survive.

무한 경쟁 (infinite competition)

정부는 공정한 경쟁 환경을 조성해야 한다.

The government must create a fair competitive environment.

조성하다 (to create/establish)

생태계 내에서의 생존 경쟁은 자연스러운 현상이다.

The struggle for survival within an ecosystem is a natural phenomenon.

생존 경쟁 (struggle for survival)

기술 경쟁에서 뒤처지면 기업의 미래는 어둡다.

If a company falls behind in technological competition, its future is dark.

뒤처지다 (to fall behind)

그들은 시장 점유율을 놓고 치열한 경쟁을 벌이고 있다.

They are waging a fierce competition over market share.

벌이다 (to wage/conduct)

지나친 경쟁은 사회적 불평등을 심화시킬 수 있다.

Excessive competition can deepen social inequality.

심화시키다 (to deepen/intensify)

스포츠 정신은 공정한 경쟁을 바탕으로 한다.

Sportsmanship is based on fair competition.

바탕으로 하다 (to be based on)

경쟁 업체와의 차별화 전략이 필요합니다.

A differentiation strategy from competing companies is necessary.

경쟁 업체 (competing company)

신자유주의 경제 체제는 무한 경쟁을 정당화하는 경향이 있다.

The neoliberal economic system tends to justify infinite competition.

정당화하다 (to justify)

교육열이 높은 한국 사회에서 입시 경쟁은 피할 수 없는 현실이다.

In Korean society with high educational fervor, entrance exam competition is an unavoidable reality.

피할 수 없는 (unavoidable)

독과점을 방지하고 자유로운 경쟁을 촉진하기 위한 법안이 통과되었다.

A bill to prevent monopolies and promote free competition was passed.

촉진하다 (to promote/accelerate)

경쟁의 논리가 인간관계의 본질을 훼손해서는 안 된다.

The logic of competition should not damage the essence of human relationships.

훼손하다 (to damage/harm)

그 작가는 사회의 비정한 경쟁 구도를 작품 속에 투영했다.

The author projected the society's cold competitive structure into their work.

투영하다 (to project/reflect)

글로벌 패권 경쟁이 심화되면서 국제 정세가 불안정해지고 있다.

As the global hegemony competition intensifies, the international situation is becoming unstable.

패권 경쟁 (hegemony competition)

경쟁 우위를 확보하기 위해 연구 개발에 막대한 예산을 투입했다.

A massive budget was invested in R&D to secure a competitive advantage.

확보하다 (to secure)

우리는 경쟁의 굴레에서 벗어나 공존의 가치를 모색해야 한다.

We must escape the shackles of competition and seek the value of coexistence.

굴레 (shackles/yoke)

사회 진화론적 관점에서의 경쟁은 적자생존의 원리를 수반한다.

Competition from a social Darwinist perspective entails the principle of survival of the fittest.

수반하다 (to entail/accompany)

현대 사회의 병리적 현상은 대개 과도한 경쟁 지상주의에서 기인한다.

Pathological phenomena in modern society mostly stem from excessive competition-first-ism.

기인하다 (to stem from)

플랫폼 기업들 간의 데이터 확보 경쟁은 새로운 형태의 지대 추구 행위이다.

The competition for data acquisition among platform companies is a new form of rent-seeking behavior.

지대 추구 (rent-seeking)

경쟁의 메커니즘이 효율성을 제고하는 것은 사실이나, 공공재의 영역에서는 신중해야 한다.

While it is true that the mechanism of competition enhances efficiency, caution is needed in the realm of public goods.

제고하다 (to enhance/improve)

상징 자본을 둘러싼 계급 간의 경쟁은 보이지 않는 장벽을 공고히 한다.

Competition between classes over symbolic capital solidifies invisible barriers.

공고히 하다 (to solidify)

창조적 파괴는 경쟁이 치열한 시장에서 혁신을 추동하는 핵심 동력이다.

Creative destruction is the key driver that impels innovation in highly competitive markets.

추동하다 (to impel/drive)

경쟁 담론이 내면화되면서 개인은 스스로를 끊임없이 착취하는 주체가 된다.

As the discourse of competition is internalized, individuals become subjects who constantly exploit themselves.

내면화되다 (to be internalized)

국가 간의 체제 경쟁은 냉전 종식 이후에도 형태를 바꾸어 지속되고 있다.

The competition of systems between nations continues in different forms even after the end of the Cold War.

체제 경쟁 (system competition)

類義語

다툼 경합 겨룸

反対語

협력 공존 양보

よく使う組み合わせ

치열한 경쟁

경쟁력을 갖추다

선의의 경쟁

경쟁이 붙다

무한 경쟁

경쟁 상대

경쟁을 벌이다

경쟁에서 밀려나다

가격 경쟁

입시 경쟁

よく使うフレーズ

경쟁이 치열하다

— The competition is fierce.

이 분야는 경쟁이 너무 치열해요.

경쟁을 뚫다

— To overcome/break through competition.

바늘구멍 같은 경쟁을 뚫고 취업했다.

경쟁에 뛰어들다

— To jump into a competition.

그는 새로운 사업 경쟁에 뛰어들었다.

경쟁을 유도하다

— To induce or encourage competition.

정부는 기업 간의 경쟁을 유도하고 있다.

경쟁 우위

— Competitive advantage.

기술력이 우리의 경쟁 우위입니다.

경쟁 심리

— Competitive psychology/mindset.

사람들의 경쟁 심리를 자극하는 광고.

경쟁 사회

— Competitive society.

경쟁 사회에서 살아남는 법.

경쟁 구도

— Competitive structure/landscape.

시장이 3강 경쟁 구도로 재편되었다.

경쟁 관계

— Competitive relationship.

두 나라는 오랜 경쟁 관계에 있다.

경쟁 지상주의

— Competition-first-ism.

경쟁 지상주의가 청소년들을 힘들게 한다.

よく混同される語

경쟁 vs 경제

Sounds similar but means 'Economy'.

경쟁 vs 경정

Means 'Correction' or a type of boat race, but rarely used.

경쟁 vs 강점

Means 'Strength', sometimes confused when talking about competitiveness.

慣用句と表現

"도토리 키 재기"

— Comparing the heights of acorns. Used when people of similar (low) ability are competing pointlessly.

그들의 실력 차이는 도토리 키 재기 수준이다.

Informal

"피 튀기는 경쟁"

— Blood-splattering competition. Used for extremely violent or intense rivalry.

시장에서는 매일 피 튀기는 경쟁이 벌어진다.

Colloquial

"등 터지는 경쟁"

— Competition where one's back bursts. Similar to 'shrimp's back breaking in a whale fight,' implying intense pressure.

고래 싸움에 새우 등 터지는 경쟁 구도다.

Informal

"바늘구멍 통과하기"

— Passing through a needle's eye. Used to describe succeeding in a very high-competition situation.

공무원 시험 합격은 바늘구멍 통과하기다.

Common

"살얼음판을 걷다"

— Walking on thin ice. Often used to describe the tension in a competitive environment.

경쟁이 심해 매일 살얼음판을 걷는 기분이다.

Neutral

"눈치 싸움"

— A battle of wits/reading the room. A subtle form of competition.

합격선을 두고 수험생들 사이에 눈치 싸움이 치열하다.

Informal

"제 살 깎아먹기"

— Cutting off one's own flesh. Used for competition that hurts both parties (e.g., excessive price cuts).

과도한 가격 경쟁은 제 살 깎아먹기 식이다.

Neutral

"막상막하"

— Neck and neck. Used when the competition is so close it's hard to tell who is winning.

두 팀의 실력이 막상막하다.

Neutral

"승자독식"

— Winner-takes-all. A type of competition where only the first place gets everything.

현대 사회는 승자독식의 경쟁이 지배적이다.

Formal

"적자생존"

— Survival of the fittest. The ultimate biological and social competition.

비즈니스 세계는 철저한 적자생존의 원리가 작동한다.

Formal

間違えやすい

경쟁 vs 시합

Both involve winning.

시합 is a specific event/match; 경쟁 is the abstract process.

축구 시합(O), 축구 경쟁(X - unless talking about the league rivalry).

경쟁 vs 경합

Both mean competing.

경합 is more formal and implies a clash for a single prize.

수주 경합 (Contending for a contract).

경쟁 vs 다툼

Both involve struggle.

다툼 is often a quarrel or dispute; 경쟁 is structured striving.

말다툼 (Argument), 경쟁 (Competition).

경쟁 vs 경기

Both used in sports/business.

경기 can mean a sports match or the 'economic condition'.

경기가 좋다 (The economy is good).

경쟁 vs 겨룸

Native synonym.

겨룸 is less common and more literary/traditional.

힘겨룸 (Trial of strength).

文型パターン

N-와/과 경쟁해요

친구와 경쟁해요.

경쟁이 Adj-해요

경쟁이 심해요.

Adj-한 경쟁을 뚫다

치열한 경쟁을 뚫었어요.

경쟁력을 갖추기 위해 V-ㄴ다

경쟁력을 갖추기 위해 공부한다.

N-을/를 둘러싼 경쟁

권력을 둘러싼 경쟁이 치열하다.

경쟁의 논리에 매몰되다

경쟁의 논리에 매몰되어서는 안 된다.

경쟁에서 이기다/지다

경쟁에서 이기고 싶어요.

경쟁 구도가 형성되다

새로운 경쟁 구도가 형성되었다.

語族

名詞

경쟁자 (Competitor)

경쟁력 (Competitiveness)

경쟁심 (Competitive spirit)

경쟁국 (Competing nation)

경쟁지 (Competitive site/area)

動詞

경쟁하다 (To compete)

形容詞

경쟁적 (Competitive)

경쟁력이 있는 (Competitive/Capable)

使い方

frequency

Very high in news, education, and business contexts.

よくある間違い

경쟁을 싸우다 → 경쟁을 하다 / 경쟁에서 싸우다
You don't 'fight a competition' as a direct object in Korean.
테니스 경쟁 → 테니스 시합 / 경기
Use '시합' for specific sports matches.
경쟁이 높다 → 경쟁이 치열하다 / 경쟁률이 높다
Competition itself isn't 'high'; the 'rate' (경쟁률) is high, or the competition is 'fierce' (치열하다).
경쟁하는 사람 → 경쟁자
While '경쟁하는 사람' is grammatically okay, '경쟁자' (competitor) is the standard noun.
경제하고 있어요 → 경쟁하고 있어요
Confusing 'economy' with 'competition' due to similar sounds.

ヒント

Use with '치열하다'

Whenever you want to say competition is 'tough' or 'fierce', always use '치열하다'. It's the most natural pairing.

Learn '경쟁력'

This is a vital word for business. If you want to say a company is good, say it has high '경쟁력'.

Understand 'Suneung'

To understand '경쟁' in Korea, research the Suneung exam. It is the peak of '입시 경쟁'.

Particle Choice

Use '-와/과' for the person you compete with, and '-을/를 놓고' for the thing you are competing for.

Fairness

Koreans value '공정한 경쟁' (fair competition) highly due to the intense nature of their society.

Survival Shows

Watch Korean survival shows to hear '경쟁' used in high-stakes, emotional contexts.

Hanja Power

Remembering the 'race' (경) and 'struggle' (쟁) characters helps you feel the word's intensity.

Formal vs. Informal

Use '경쟁' in writing, but you can use '내기' (bet/game) for very casual friendly competitions.

Acorn Heights

Use the idiom '도토리 키 재기' to dismiss a petty or useless competition.

TOPIK Tip

This word appears frequently in TOPIK II writing tasks about social issues. Practice using it with '심화되다' (to deepen).

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'Gyeong' as a 'Gang' and 'Jaeng' as 'Jangling' keys. Two gangs are jangling keys to see who can open the treasure chest first. That's competition!

視覚的連想

Imagine two runners (the two parts of the character 競) reaching for a single gold medal (爭).

Word Web

Success Rival Win Lose Fierce Fair Market Exam

チャレンジ

Try to find three news headlines today that use the word '경쟁' and translate them.

語源

Derived from Middle Chinese characters 競 (compete) and 爭 (struggle). It entered the Korean language via the Hanja system over a millennium ago.

元の意味： To race against each other and struggle for a prize.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

文化的な背景

Be careful when discussing competition with Korean students; it can be a source of significant trauma or stress.

In the West, competition is often framed as 'healthy' for the market. In Korea, it is often framed as a 'necessity for survival.'

Squid Game (A literal competition for life) Sky Castle (A drama about entrance exam competition) Samsung vs. LG (The classic corporate rivalry)

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Business

시장 경쟁
경쟁 우위
경쟁 업체
가격 경쟁력

Education

입시 경쟁
성적 경쟁
경쟁률
치열한 경쟁

Sports

순위 경쟁
주전 경쟁
공정한 경쟁
경쟁 상대

Nature

생존 경쟁
종간 경쟁
먹이 경쟁
번식 경쟁

Daily Life

눈치 경쟁
좌석 경쟁
경쟁심
선의의 경쟁

会話のきっかけ

"한국의 교육 경쟁에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"경쟁이 사람을 발전시킨다고 믿으시나요?"

"가장 기억에 남는 경쟁의 순간은 언제인가요?"

"경쟁보다는 협력이 더 중요하다고 생각하시나요?"

"직장에서 경쟁 동료와 어떻게 지내시나요?"

日記のテーマ

내가 겪었던 가장 치열했던 경쟁에 대해 써보세요.

경쟁이 없는 세상은 어떤 모습일지 상상해 보세요.

선의의 경쟁이 나에게 긍정적인 영향을 준 사례를 적어보세요.

우리 사회의 과도한 경쟁을 해결할 방법은 무엇일까요?

나의 '경쟁력'은 무엇이라고 생각하는지 분석해 보세요.

よくある質問

10 問

No, it can be positive (선의의 경쟁) when it leads to growth and innovation. However, in Korea, it often carries a connotation of high stress.

Yes, but '시합' or '게임' is more natural for the event itself. Use '경쟁' to describe the spirit of the game.

It means 'competition rate' or 'ratio' (e.g., 100 people for 1 job is a 100:1 경쟁률).

You say '경쟁심이 강한 사람' (a person with strong competitive spirit).

'경쟁하다' is to strive for a goal; '싸우다' is to fight or argue. You can '싸우다' within a '경쟁'.

Yes, '생존 경쟁' (struggle for survival) is a standard scientific term.

You say '불공정 경쟁'.

It's better to say '경쟁에서 이기다' (win in the competition).

It refers to the 'infinite competition' of the modern globalized world where there is no end to striving.

It's a standard Korean 'ㄱ', which is between a 'g' and a 'k', but closer to 'g' at the start of a word.

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