선전 30秒で
- Primarily means promotion, publicity, or advertising to the public.
- Can carry a negative nuance of 'propaganda' in political contexts.
- Commonly used in sports to mean 'fighting a good fight' (homonym).
- Less common than '광고' for modern commercial ads but still used in formal/academic settings.
The Korean word 선전 (宣傳) is a multi-faceted noun that primarily translates to promotion, publicity, or advertisement. In a modern South Korean context, it refers to the act of widely distributing information to attract public interest or to sell a product. Historically, however, and still in certain political contexts (especially regarding North Korea), it can carry the weight of 'propaganda.' For an English speaker, understanding 선전 requires navigating the fine line between neutral 'commercial promotion' and the more loaded 'ideological propaganda.' In everyday speech, you might hear older generations use it as a synonym for 'commercial' (광고), although '광고' has largely superseded it in business settings.
- Commercial Context
- In the mid-20th century, 선전 was the standard term for what we now call 'ads.' If a company launched a new soap, they would engage in 선전 to tell the public about its benefits.
- Political Context
- When used in political science or news regarding international relations, it often implies the manipulation of information to influence public opinion, akin to the English word 'propaganda.'
- Sports Context (Homonym: 善戰)
- It is vital to note the homonym 선전 (善戰), which means 'fighting a good fight' or 'putting up a good struggle' in a competition. You will frequently hear sports commentators say '선전했습니다' to mean the team played exceptionally well despite the outcome.
이 영화는 개봉 전부터 대대적인 선전을 했다. (This movie had massive publicity even before its release.)
정부는 새로운 정책을 국민들에게 선전하기 시작했다. (The government began to promote the new policy to the citizens.)
Furthermore, the nuance of '선전' can sometimes feel slightly more aggressive or active than '홍보' (PR). While '홍보' feels like building a positive image over time, '선전' feels like a concerted effort to push a specific message or product into the public consciousness. In modern linguistics, '선전' is often paired with verbs like '하다' (to do) or '되다' (to be done/promoted). It is also used in compound words like '선전포고' (declaration of war), though that uses a slightly different 'sun' character, it contributes to the overall 'heavy' feel of the word in certain contexts.
과장 선전에 속지 마세요. (Don't be fooled by exaggerated publicity/ads.)
그 회사는 허위 선전으로 벌금을 물었다. (The company was fined for false advertising/publicity.)
Using 선전 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun that frequently combines with the light verb 하다. When you say 선전하다, you are actively promoting or advertising something. The object of this promotion is typically marked with the particle ~을/를. For example, '제품을 선전하다' (to promote a product). However, because the word can also mean 'propaganda,' the context of the sentence—whether it's business, politics, or sports—drastically changes how an English speaker should translate it.
- Noun + Particle
- Use 선전이 (subject) or 선전을 (object). Example: '선전이 잘 되었다' (The publicity went well).
- Descriptive Use
- When describing a type of publicity, use it before other nouns: '선전 문구' (publicity slogan/copy) or '선전 전략' (promotion strategy).
그는 자기의 업적을 지나치게 선전하는 경향이 있다. (He tends to over-promote his own achievements.)
In the sports context (homonym 善戰), the usage is slightly different. It is almost always used to describe the quality of a performance. You would say '우리 팀이 선전했다' to mean 'Our team fought well.' Here, 선전 is not something you 'make' or 'spread,' but something you 'do' through effort and skill. This distinction is vital for B2 learners who might encounter this word in news headlines about the Olympics or World Cup. If a headline says '한국팀 선전,' it doesn't mean the Korean team is doing PR; it means they are playing brilliantly.
비록 졌지만, 우리 선수들은 끝까지 선전했다. (Although they lost, our players fought well until the end.)
정치적 선전 도구로 이용당하지 마세요. (Don't be used as a tool for political propaganda.)
Another common pattern involves the word '허위' (false) or '과장' (exaggerated). These are frequently paired with 선전 in legal and ethical discussions. '허위 선전' refers to deceptive advertising practices that are punishable by law. In these cases, the word takes on a negative connotation, implying a lack of honesty. Conversely, '대대적인 선전' (large-scale promotion) is a neutral business term used to describe a massive marketing campaign. When writing, ensure you choose the accompanying adjectives carefully to signal whether the 'publicity' is positive, neutral, or deceptive.
신제품의 선전 문구를 작성하고 있습니다. (I am writing the promotional copy for the new product.)
If you are in South Korea today, you are most likely to hear 선전 in three specific environments: sports broadcasts, historical documentaries, and news reports about North Korea or political campaigning. In the 1970s and 80s, you would have heard it on TV to refer to commercials, but today's youth almost exclusively use '광고.' However, if you are watching a period drama (Saguek) or a movie set in the mid-20th century, characters will use 선전 to talk about posters, flyers, or public announcements.
- Sports Commentary
- When an underdog team performs surprisingly well against a favorite, the announcer will shout, '약팀의 선전입니다!' (It's a great fight by the weak team!).
- History & Politics
- In news segments discussing '선전 선동' (propaganda and agitation), a term often used to describe North Korean psychological tactics or aggressive political rallying.
이번 올림픽에서 한국 선수들의 선전이 기대됩니다. (We look forward to the good performance of Korean athletes in this Olympics.)
In the corporate world, you might encounter 선전 in the context of '선전 효과' (the effect of publicity). While marketing departments usually prefer the term '마케팅' or '홍보,' the term '선전 효과' is still a standard phrase in academic textbooks and economic reports to describe how information dissemination affects consumer behavior. If you are reading a business journal in Korean, keep an eye out for this phrase when they analyze why a certain brand became famous overnight.
북한의 선전 매체들은 연일 승리를 보도하고 있다. (North Korean propaganda outlets are reporting victory day after day.)
Finally, you will hear this word in phrases like '선전포고' (Declaration of War). This is a very dramatic and formal term used in movies, history books, and sometimes metaphorically in business rivalries. When one company launches a product specifically to destroy a competitor's market share, journalists might call it a '시장 선전포고' (a declaration of war on the market). This highlights the word's underlying intensity and its roots in high-stakes communication.
그의 발언은 사실상의 선전포고였다. (His remarks were a de facto declaration of war.)
The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 선전 is failing to distinguish it from 광고 (Gwang-go) and 홍보 (Hong-bo). While all three relate to promotion, they are not always interchangeable. Using 선전 when you mean a simple 15-second YouTube ad might make you sound like a 1950s radio announcer or a political theorist. Another major pitfall is ignoring the homonym 'Good Fight' (善戰), which can lead to total confusion in sports contexts.
- Mistake 1: Overusing it for Ads
- Incorrect: '유튜브 선전이 너무 많아요.' (The YouTube propaganda is too much - sounds weird). Correct: '유튜브 광고가 너무 많아요.'
- Mistake 2: Negative Connotation Neglect
- Remember that 선전 can imply 'brainwashing' or 'manipulation' in political contexts. If you want to say a charity is doing good 'PR,' use '홍보' instead to avoid the 'propaganda' nuance.
잘못된 선전은 대중을 오도할 수 있다. (Wrong publicity/propaganda can mislead the public.)
Another subtle mistake is the particle choice. Learners often use 선전하다 as an intransitive verb (to just 'be' promoting) without a clear object. In Korean, it is much more natural to specify what is being promoted. Also, avoid using 선전 for 'personal introduction.' For that, use '자기소개' (self-introduction). Using '자기 선전' sounds like you are aggressively 'selling yourself' in a way that might come off as arrogant or boastful in Korean culture.
그는 자기 선전에만 열중하고 있다. (He is only focused on promoting himself/self-aggrandizement.)
Finally, learners sometimes confuse 선전 with 선정 (selection). These sound very similar but have completely different meanings. '선정' (selection) is about choosing something, while '선전' is about telling people about something. Always double-check the final consonant (batchim). A 'ㄴ' (n) ending is publicity; a 'ㅇ' (ng) ending is selection. Making this mistake in a business meeting could lead to significant confusion regarding whether you are 'choosing' a product or 'promoting' one.
우승 후보로 선정된 팀이 경기에서 선전했다. (The team selected as the candidate for victory fought well in the game.)
To master 선전, you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of communication. Depending on the formality, the medium, and the intent, you might choose 광고, 홍보, or PR instead. Each has a specific 'flavor' that changes the tone of your sentence. In modern Korean, the distinctions are quite sharp in professional settings but blurred in casual conversation.
- 광고 (Gwang-go) - Advertisement
- This is the standard term for paid media space (TV, radio, internet) used to sell products. It is the most common word for 'ad.'
- 홍보 (Hong-bo) - Public Relations / Promotion
- This is used for 'Public Relations' or general promotion of an organization's image. It sounds more professional and softer than '선전.'
- 포교 (Po-gyo) - Missionary Work
- While '선전' can be used for spreading ideas, '포교' is specifically used for spreading religious beliefs.
기업들은 브랜드 이미지를 위해 홍보에 힘을 쏟는다. (Companies put effort into PR for their brand image.)
When comparing 선전 and 광고, think of the 'scope.' 광고 is usually a specific piece of content (a video, a poster), while 선전 is the broader act of making something known. However, in modern usage, 광고 has eaten up most of 선전's territory. If you use 선전, you are either being very formal, very old-fashioned, or referring to the 'fighting well' homonym. In a sports context, the alternative to 선전 (good fight) would be 활약 (Hwal-yak - great activity/performance). While 선전 emphasizes the struggle and effort, 활약 emphasizes the success and dynamic action.
그 선수는 이번 경기에서 대단한 활약을 보여주었다. (That player showed a great performance/activity in this game.)
정부의 정책 홍보가 부족했다는 지적이 있다. (There are points that the government's policy PR was insufficient.)
レベル別の例文
저 선전 봤어요?
Did you see that ad?
Noun + object marker (omitted) + verb.
이것은 비누 선전이에요.
This is a soap advertisement.
Noun + 이다 (to be).
선전이 재미있어요.
The ad is fun.
Subject marker ~이 used.
우유 선전을 해요.
They are doing a milk ad.
Object marker ~를/을 + 하다.
선전이 너무 길어요.
The ad is too long.
Adverb '너무' (too) modifying the adjective '길다'.
새 선전이에요.
It's a new ad.
Adjective '새' (new) modifying the noun.
선전을 봐요.
I watch the ad.
Standard SOV structure.
선전이 많아요.
There are many ads.
Adjective '많다' (to be many).
그 회사는 신제품을 선전하고 있어요.
That company is promoting a new product.
~고 있다 (present progressive).
어제 축구 경기에서 우리 팀이 선전했어요.
Our team fought well in yesterday's soccer match.
Past tense of 선전하다 (to fight well).
선전 문구가 아주 멋져요.
The promotional slogan is very cool.
Compound noun: 선전 + 문구.
사람들에게 이 소식을 선전해 주세요.
Please promote/spread this news to people.
~아/어 주세요 (requesting a favor).
가수는 노래를 선전하러 TV에 나왔어요.
The singer appeared on TV to promote the song.
~러 가다/오다 (purpose of movement).
선전을 보고 물건을 샀어요.
I bought the item after seeing the ad.
~고 (sequential action).
이 잡지에는 선전이 별로 없어요.
There aren't many ads in this magazine.
Negative adverb '별로' (not particularly).
선전하는 방법이 다양해요.
There are various ways to promote.
Adjective '다양하다' (to be diverse).
과장 선전에 속지 않도록 주의하세요.
Be careful not to be fooled by exaggerated publicity.
~지 않도록 (in order not to).
우리나라는 이번 올림픽에서 선전하고 있습니다.
Our country is performing well in this Olympics.
Present progressive for ongoing performance.
정부는 새로운 법을 대대적으로 선전했다.
The government promoted the new law on a large scale.
Adverb '대대적으로' (extensively).
그 영화는 선전에 비해 재미가 없었어요.
That movie wasn't as fun compared to the publicity.
~에 비해 (compared to).
선전 효과를 높이기 위해 연예인을 고용했다.
They hired a celebrity to increase the publicity effect.
~기 위해 (for the purpose of).
허위 선전으로 인해 피해를 입은 소비자들이 많다.
There are many consumers who suffered damage due to false advertising.
~으로 인해 (due to/because of).
이 포스터는 선전용으로 제작되었습니다.
This poster was produced for promotional purposes.
Noun + 용 (for the use of).
그는 자신의 성공을 선전하고 다닌다.
He goes around promoting his own success.
~고 다니다 (to go around doing).
정치적 선전 선동에 휘둘리지 않는 것이 중요하다.
It is important not to be swayed by political propaganda and agitation.
~지 않는 것 (nominalizing a negative).
상대 팀의 강력한 공격에도 우리 팀은 끝까지 선전했다.
Despite the opponent's strong attack, our team fought well until the end.
~에도 불구하고 (despite).
이 매체는 북한의 체제 선전 도구로 쓰인다.
This medium is used as a tool for North Korean regime propaganda.
Passive voice: 쓰이다 (to be used).
기업의 사회적 공헌을 선전하는 영상이 제작되었다.
A video promoting the company's social contribution was produced.
Noun phrase as object: ~을 선전하는 영상.
그의 발언은 경쟁사에 대한 선전포고와 다름없었다.
His remarks were no different from a declaration of war against competitors.
~와 다름없다 (no different from).
과거에는 '선전'이라는 말이 '광고'보다 더 자주 쓰였다.
In the past, the word 'seonjeon' was used more often than 'gwang-go'.
~라는 말 (the word called...).
선전 전략을 수정할 필요가 있습니다.
There is a need to revise the promotion strategy.
~을 필요가 있다 (there is a need to).
그는 선전 문구 하나로 대중의 마음을 사로잡았다.
He captured the public's heart with a single promotional slogan.
~으로 (by means of).
전시 상황에서 선전은 국민의 사기를 북돋우는 데 필수적이다.
In wartime, propaganda is essential for boosting the morale of the people.
~는 데 (in the act of/for).
그 논문은 대중 선전이 여론 형성에 미치는 영향을 분석했다.
The thesis analyzed the influence of mass propaganda on the formation of public opinion.
~에 미치는 영향 (influence on...).
정부는 정책의 정당성을 선전하기 위해 막대한 예산을 투입했다.
The government invested a huge budget to promote the legitimacy of its policies.
Advanced vocabulary: 정당성 (legitimacy), 투입하다 (invest/input).
비록 패배했지만, 그의 선전은 많은 이들에게 감동을 주었다.
Although he was defeated, his gallant fight moved many people.
Contrastive: 비록 ~했지만 (although).
이 광고는 교묘한 선전 기법을 사용하여 소비자를 현혹한다.
This ad uses subtle propaganda techniques to dazzle/mislead consumers.
Advanced verb: 현혹하다 (to dazzle/mislead).
매스컴을 통한 일방적인 선전은 민주주의를 위협할 수 있다.
One-sided propaganda through mass media can threaten democracy.
~을 통한 (through/via).
그 기업은 윤리적 경영을 선전하며 이미지 쇄신에 나섰다.
The company set out to renovate its image by promoting ethical management.
~하며 (while doing / as a means of).
선전과 선동은 종종 동전의 양면처럼 함께 취급된다.
Propaganda and agitation are often treated together like two sides of a coin.
~처럼 (like).
이데올로기의 선전장으로 변모한 예술은 그 본연의 가치를 잃기 쉽다.
Art that has transformed into a propaganda field for ideology is prone to losing its inherent value.
~기 쉽다 (easy to/prone to).
그 감독은 영화를 통해 자본주의의 허구성을 선전하고 있다.
The director is exposing/promoting the fictitious nature of capitalism through his film.
Abstract usage of 선전 (to spread/expose an idea).
국가 권력이 선전을 독점할 때 진실은 은폐되기 마련이다.
When state power monopolizes propaganda, the truth is bound to be concealed.
~기 마련이다 (bound to happen).
그 선수의 선전은 단순한 승리 이상의 인간 승리를 보여주었다.
The athlete's valiant struggle showed a human victory that went beyond a simple win.
Noun + 이상의 (more than...).
허위·과장 선전은 시장 경제의 질서를 교란하는 중대한 범죄이다.
False and exaggerated publicity is a serious crime that disturbs the order of the market economy.
Compound modifiers: 허위·과장.
뉴미디어 시대의 선전은 알고리즘을 통해 더욱 정교해지고 있다.
Propaganda in the new media era is becoming more sophisticated through algorithms.
~어/아지고 있다 (becoming/getting...).
선전의 파급력은 정보의 진위 여부보다 감성적 호소에 좌우된다.
The ripple effect of propaganda depends more on emotional appeal than the truth or falsehood of information.
~에 좌우되다 (to be dependent on/governed by).
그 정당은 선전 공세를 강화하며 지지층 결집에 총력을 기울였다.
The party strengthened its propaganda offensive and devoted all its energy to rallying its supporters.
Idiom: 총력을 기울이다 (to devote all energy).
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— To promote/advertise something or to fight well in a contest.
그는 자기 제품을 열심히 선전했다.
— To be promoted or to become well-known through publicity.
입소문을 통해 선전이 잘 되었다.
— A tool or medium used for promotion or propaganda.
SNS는 훌륭한 선전 도구가 될 수 있다.
— A propaganda offensive or a massive promotional campaign.
정부는 선전 공세를 강화하고 있다.
— A promotion agent or a propaganda worker.
그는 당의 선전 요원으로 활동했다.
— Promotional activities or propaganda efforts.
다양한 선전 활동이 전개되었다.
— The department in charge of promotion or propaganda.
그는 선전 부서에서 근무한다.
— Propaganda leaflets (often used in the context of the Korean War).
산에서 선전 삐라를 발견했다.
— A promotional video.
관광 선전 영상을 제작했다.
— A promotional magazine or propaganda periodical.
무료 선전 잡지를 배포했다.
慣用句と表現
— To formally declare war or to challenge someone openly.
그 기업은 시장 점유율 1위 기업에게 선전포고를 했다.
Formal/Metaphorical— Promoting something by word of mouth (rarely used now, '입소문' is more common).
그 가게는 입선전이 잘 나서 손님이 많다.
Old-fashioned— Propaganda and agitation; usually refers to political manipulation.
그는 선전 선동의 대가였다.
Political— To be 'bruised' or hurt by exaggerated advertising (suffering loss).
과장 선전에 멍든 소비자들이 속출하고 있다.
Journalistic— A venue or field for promotion/propaganda.
박람회는 신기술의 선전의 장이다.
FormalSummary
While '선전' translates to 'promotion,' its meaning shifts based on context: in business it's publicity, in politics it's propaganda, and in sports it's a valiant effort. Always check if the topic is a product or a competition before translating. Example: '우리 팀의 선전' means 'Our team's good fight,' not 'Our team's commercial.'
- Primarily means promotion, publicity, or advertising to the public.
- Can carry a negative nuance of 'propaganda' in political contexts.
- Commonly used in sports to mean 'fighting a good fight' (homonym).
- Less common than '광고' for modern commercial ads but still used in formal/academic settings.
例文
새 제품을 대대적으로 선전했습니다.
関連コンテンツ
この単語を他の言語で
businessの関連語
에 대한
A2〜に対する、〜についての。2つの名詞をつなぐ時に使われます（例：韓国についての本）。
~대하여
A2「〜について」や「〜に関する」という意味です。話や本のテーマを示す時に使われます。
대해서
A2〜について；〜に関して。
에 대해
A2「〜について」や「〜に関して」を意味する表現です。
풍요롭다
A2豊かである、裕福である、潤沢である。
관철하다
B2自分の意志や要求を最後まで押し通すこと。 '彼は自分の主張を貫徹した。'
~에 따라
B1～に従って、～によって。ある基準や条件に合わせて物事が進んだり変化したりすることを表します。
에 따라
A2人によって考えが違います。 (〜によって / 〜に従って)
에 의하면
B1ニュースによれば、この言葉は「〜によれば」という意味です。例：「新聞によれば、明日は晴れるそうです。」
계좌번호
A2銀行の口座番号。韓国での送金や電子決済に使用されます。
