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상정하다

B2 verb #7,800 most common 8 min read

상정하다

Q: How do I say 'table a bill' in Korean?

You use '법안을 상정하다'.

sangjeonghada Top 7,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 상정하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 상정하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '상정하다' is quite difficult. Most beginners don't need this word. However, you can think of it as a very fancy way to say 'think about a situation.' Imagine you are playing a game and you say, 'Let's pretend I am the king.' In formal Korean, this 'let's pretend' or 'let's think of this situation' is what '상정하다' does. You won't use it when talking to friends about lunch, but you might see it in a very simple news headline or a formal school book. For now, just remember it means 'to think of a specific situation to talk about it.' It's like building a little 'what if' world in your head so you can solve a problem. It's much more formal than '생각해요' (think).

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more formal vocabulary. '상정하다' is a verb used when you want to talk about a 'case' or a 'scenario.' If you are in a classroom and the teacher says, 'Imagine a situation where you lost your wallet,' they might use a form of this word in a formal setting. It is mostly used in writing or in news. You should recognize it when you see the word '상황' (situation) next to it. '상황을 상정하다' means 'to assume a situation.' It's a step up from '만약' (if). While '만약' is a simple 'if,' '상정하다' is like saying 'Let us set this situation as our starting point.' It is a very polite and intellectual word.

By B1, you should be able to understand '상정하다' in the context of news and basic debates. You will notice it has two main uses. First, in logical thinking: 'Let's assume X is true.' This is used in math, science, and essays. Second, in news about the government: 'The bill was tabled.' This second meaning is very common in Korean media. When the government wants to talk about a new law, they '상정' it. You should start practicing how to recognize which meaning is being used. If the topic is about a '법안' (bill) or '안건' (agenda), it's the government meaning. If it's about a '경우' (case) or '시나리오' (scenario), it's the 'assume' meaning. This word helps you move from 'everyday Korean' to 'news and newspaper Korean.'

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '상정하다' in your formal writing and speeches. It is a key word for the TOPIK II exam. You should use it when you are discussing social issues or academic theories. For example, when writing an essay about the environment, you might write: '해수면이 1미터 상승하는 상황을 상정해 봅시다' (Let's assume a situation where the sea level rises by 1 meter). This sounds much more academic than using simple 'if' sentences. You should also understand the nuance of '상정되다' (to be tabled) when listening to the news. It implies that a formal process has begun. You should be able to distinguish it from '가정하다' (to suppose) by noting that '상정하다' often involves more complex, structured scenarios used for analysis.

For C1 learners, '상정하다' should be a natural part of your professional vocabulary. You should understand the subtle differences between '상정' (想定 - hypothesis) and '상정' (上程 - tabling a motion) without needing to see the Hanja. In a business meeting, you might use it to discuss risk management: '최악의 경기 침체 시나리오를 상정하여 예산을 편성했습니다' (We budgeted assuming the worst-case economic recession scenario). In a legal or political context, you should understand the procedural implications of a bill being '상정'—it means it has cleared committees and is now ready for a full vote. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight and formality. You can use it to set boundaries for a debate or to define the parameters of a research model.

At the C2 level, you should have a masterly grasp of '상정하다' in all its rhetorical and technical applications. You can use it in philosophical discourse to establish complex 'thought experiments' (사고 실험). You understand its role in legislative procedure, including the nuances of how '상정' differs from '회부' (referral) or '의결' (resolution). You can use the word to critique an opponent's argument by questioning the '상정된 전제' (assumed premise). In high-level literature or academic papers, you recognize when the word is being used to create a specific 'diegetic world' or a 'theoretical framework.' Your command of the word allows you to navigate the most formal Korean environments—from the National Assembly to the highest courts—with confidence and precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

상정하다 in 30 Seconds

상정하다 means to hypothesize a scenario for logical analysis or strategic planning in formal contexts.
In politics and administration, it specifically refers to tabling a bill or agenda for official debate.
It is a high-level, formal verb (CEFR B2+) used in news, academic writing, and professional reports.
Commonly paired with words like '상황' (situation), '법안' (bill), and '시나리오' (scenario).

The Korean verb 상정하다 is a sophisticated term that English speakers typically encounter in two distinct but equally important contexts: logical reasoning and formal administration. At its core, the word involves the act of 'placing' something into a specific framework for consideration. Depending on the Hanja (Chinese characters) used, it can mean to hypothesize a situation or to officially table a bill in a legislative body.

The Hypothesis Aspect (想定): In academic, scientific, or strategic discussions, 상정하다 refers to assuming a specific condition or scenario to test a theory or prepare a plan. It is similar to 'to hypothesize' or 'to suppose' in English. For instance, a scientist might hypothesize a world without gravity to understand physics better.

최악의 시나리오를 상정하고 대비책을 세워야 합니다. (We must assume the worst-case scenario and establish countermeasures.)

The Administrative Aspect (上程): In the context of the National Assembly or corporate board meetings, it means to officially bring a proposal or bill to the floor for discussion and voting. This is a highly formal term used in news reports and legal documents.

새로운 법안이 오늘 본회의에 상정되었습니다. (The new bill was introduced/tabled in today's plenary session.)

Understanding 상정하다 requires recognizing the formality it carries. You wouldn't use this word when casually wondering 'What if it rains?' with a friend. Instead, you use it when a company is calculating risk factors or when a government is debating policy. It implies a structured, intellectual, or official process of consideration. In the 'hypothesize' sense, it often appears as '...을/를 상정하다' or '...라고 상정하다'. In the 'table a motion' sense, it is frequently used in the passive form '상정되다' (to be tabled/introduced).

Common Collocations: You will often see it paired with words like '상황' (situation), '사태' (state of affairs), '안건' (agenda item), or '의안' (bill). These pairings clarify which meaning is being used.

비상사태를 상정한 훈련입니다. (This is a drill assuming an emergency situation.)

Using 상정하다 correctly involves choosing the right particle and context. Because it is a transitive verb, it usually takes the object marker -을/를. However, when describing a hypothetical statement, it can also take the -고 or -라고 citation markers. Let's break down the grammatical patterns that make this word work in professional and academic Korean.

Pattern 1: [Noun]을/를 상정하다: This is the most direct way to say 'assume [Noun]' or 'table [Noun]'. In business, this noun is often 'risk' or 'scenario'. In politics, it is 'bill' or 'agenda'.

우리는 인구 감소를 상정하여 미래 도시를 설계했습니다. (We designed the future city assuming population decline.)

Pattern 2: [Clause]-ㄴ/는다고 상정하다: This pattern is used when you are hypothesizing a whole action or state. It translates to 'assuming that [Clause]'. This is common in logic and mathematical proofs.

A가 B보다 크다고 상정해 봅시다. (Let's assume that A is larger than B.)

When you are writing a formal report, 상정하다 provides a sense of rigor. Instead of saying 'If this happens...' (만약 이 일이 일어나면...), saying '이러한 상황을 상정했을 때...' (When assuming such a situation...) sounds significantly more professional. It suggests that you have carefully defined the parameters of your thought experiment. In the legislative sense, the word is indispensable for describing the movement of laws through committees.

Pattern 3: [Noun]이/가 본회의에 상정되다: This specific phrase is a staple of Korean news. It means 'A bill is tabled in the plenary session'.

예산안이 진통 끝에 본회의에 상정되었습니다. (The budget bill was finally tabled in the plenary session after much labor/difficulty.)

You are unlikely to hear 상정하다 while buying groceries or chatting at a café. It is a word of the 'public square'—found in the news, in lecture halls, and in corporate headquarters. Its usage signals a shift from casual conversation to analytical or official discourse.

In the News (Politics): Every evening, Korean news anchors report on the activities of the National Assembly. Phrases like '안건 상정' (tabling an agenda) or '법안 상정 거부' (refusal to table a bill) are common. Here, it denotes the formal step of putting a topic on the official schedule for debate.

야당은 단독으로 개정안을 상정하기로 결정했습니다. (The opposition party decided to table the amendment alone.)

In Academic Lectures and Science: Professors use this word to set up 'thought experiments'. Whether in philosophy, economics, or physics, 상정하다 is the tool used to create a model. 'Assume a closed economy,' or 'Hypothesize a state of nature' would both utilize this verb in Korean.

모든 변수가 통제된 실험실 환경을 상정해 봅시다. (Let's hypothesize a laboratory environment where all variables are controlled.)

In the corporate world, risk management is where this word shines. Companies don't just 'think' about bad things; they '상정' them. They create scenarios like a 20% drop in sales or a supply chain disruption and then build strategies around those '상정된 상황' (assumed situations). It carries a nuance of 'intentional and systematic assumption' rather than just a random guess.

In Literature and High-level Writing: Writers might use it to discuss the premise of a story or the psychological state they are asking the reader to inhabit. It suggests a deep level of engagement with the 'what if' of the narrative.

이 소설은 전쟁이 끝난 직후를 상정하고 이야기가 전개됩니다. (This novel's story unfolds assuming the period immediately after the war.)

Even for advanced learners, 상정하다 can be tricky because of its dual meanings and its high level of formality. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Using it in Casual Conversation: If you say to a friend, '내일 비가 올 것을 상정하니?' (Do you assume it will rain tomorrow?), they will think you are speaking like a textbook or a politician. Use '생각하다' (think) or '추측하다' (guess) instead.

❌ 친구야, 네가 늦을 걸 상정했어.
✅ 친구야, 네가 늦을 줄 알았어.

Mistake 2: Confusing '상정' (Hypothesis) with '가정' (Assumption): While similar, 가정하다 (to assume/suppose) is broader. 상정하다 usually implies setting a specific, often complex, situation or condition as a fixed point for further analysis. 가정 is 'if', 상정 is 'setting the stage'.

가정(가짜 상황): If I were a bird... (가정)
상정(분석적 상황): Assuming the bird's flight path is 30 degrees... (상정)

Another common error involves the Hanja. Since 상정 has two different Hanja roots, learners sometimes mix up the contexts. If you are talking about a legislative bill, you are using 上程 (Up + Path). If you are talking about a mental hypothesis, you are using 想定 (Think + Fix). While they sound the same, their 'feel' in a sentence is slightly different. The legislative one feels 'upward' (moving to a higher committee), while the mental one feels 'fixed' (setting a baseline).

Mistake 4: Overusing the Word: Because it sounds 'smart', some learners use it for every 'if' situation. This makes writing stiff. Balance it with '전제하다' (to premise) or '예상하다' (to expect) to keep the flow natural.

❌ 모든 일을 상정하는 것은 불가능하다.
✅ 모든 상황을 다 예측하는 것은 불가능하다.

To master 상정하다, you need to know its neighbors. Korean has many words for 'assuming' or 'proposing', and choosing the right one depends on the nuance of your sentence.

상정하다 vs. 가정하다 (To Assume/Suppose): 가정하다 is the general word for 'suppose'. It's used for 'What if?' scenarios. 상정하다 is more analytical, used when setting up a specific scenario for a logical or scientific purpose.

상정하다 vs. 제안하다 (To Propose): 제안하다 is a general proposal (e.g., proposing a dinner spot). 상정하다 (in the legislative sense) is the formal act of putting that proposal on an official agenda.

제안: I suggest we talk about this.
상정: I move to put this on the official agenda for today's meeting.

상정하다 vs. 전제하다 (To Premise): 전제하다 means to set something as a prerequisite or a baseline assumption. 상정하다 is more about the situation itself, while 전제하다 focuses on the logical foundation that must exist for the next thought.

상정: Assume a world where AI is king.
전제: This discussion premises that AI is already king.

In the legislative context, you might also hear 제출하다 (submit) or 발의하다 (propose a bill). 발의하다 is when a lawmaker first creates the bill. 제출하다 is the physical act of handing it over. 상정하다 is the moment the chairman says, 'Okay, we are now officially discussing this bill.' It is the highest level of 'bringing something forward'.

Comparison Table

가상하다 (假想): To imagine/fantasize (often used in 'virtual reality').
추정하다 (推定): To estimate/infer based on evidence.
회부하다 (回附): To refer a bill to a committee (different stage than 상정).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Because '상정' has two meanings that are both very formal, even native Koreans sometimes have to check the context to see if someone is talking about a 'hypothesis' or a 'government bill'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sʰaŋ.dʑʌŋ.ɦa.da/

US /sɑŋ.dʒʌŋ.hɑ.dɑ/

The stress is relatively even across all syllables, typical of Korean, but a slight emphasis often falls on the first syllable '상'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires understanding of formal news and academic contexts.

Writing 5/5

Hard to use naturally without sounding overly formal.

Speaking 4/5

Mostly used in presentations or formal debates.

Listening 4/5

Common in news broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

생각하다 정하다 상황 법 회의

Learn Next

회부하다 의결하다 전제 가설

Advanced

상정권 직권 부의하다 계류되다

Grammar to Know

-ㄴ/는다고 상정하다

그가 범인이라고 상정하고 수사를 시작했다.

-을/를 상정하여

위기 상황을 상정하여 매뉴얼을 만들었다.

-이/가 상정되다 (Passive)

새로운 안건이 회의에 상정되었다.

-ㄹ 것을 상정하다

전쟁이 일어날 것을 상정하고 대비했다.

상정 하에 (Phrase)

합의가 이루어진다는 상정 하에 진행했다.

Examples by Level

이 상황을 상정해 봐요.

Try assuming this situation.

상정하다 (verb) + -어 봐요 (try doing).

어려운 일을 상정해요.

I assume a difficult task.

Simple present tense.

만약의 경우를 상정해요.

I assume a 'what if' case.

Object marker -를 used with '경우' (case).

우리는 가짜 상황을 상정해요.

We assume a fake situation.

Subject '우리는' (we) with object '상황' (situation).

선생님이 문제를 상정했어요.

The teacher assumed a problem.

Past tense -았/었어요.

위험을 상정하고 연습해요.

Assume danger and practice.

-고 (and) connects two actions.

내일 날씨를 상정해 보세요.

Please try assuming tomorrow's weather.

Polite imperative -아/어 보세요.

좋은 결과를 상정합시다.

Let's assume a good result.

-읍시다 (let's) formal suggestion.

비가 오는 상황을 상정해 봅시다.

Let's assume a situation where it rains.

-는 (adjective ending) describing '상황'.

그는 나쁜 소식을 상정했습니다.

He assumed bad news.

Formal past tense -았습니다.

안건이 회의에 상정될 거예요.

The agenda will be tabled in the meeting.

Passive -되다 + future -ㄹ 거예요.

실패를 상정하면 무서워요.

If I assume failure, I am scared.

-면 (if) conditional.

우리는 다른 길을 상정했어요.

We assumed a different path.

Adjective '다른' (different).

문제가 생길 것을 상정하세요.

Please assume that a problem will occur.

-ㄹ 것 (future noun phrase) as object.

새 법안이 국회에 상정되었나요?

Was the new bill tabled in the National Assembly?

Passive question form.

모든 가능성을 상정해야 합니다.

We must assume all possibilities.

-아야 하다 (must/should).

경제 위기를 상정한 대응책입니다.

This is a countermeasure assuming an economic crisis.

-ㄴ (past adjective) modifying '대응책'.

본회의에 안건을 상정하기로 했습니다.

We decided to table the agenda in the plenary session.

-기로 하다 (decide to do).

지진 발생을 상정하여 훈련을 합니다.

We are training assuming an earthquake occurrence.

-하여 (by/because) showing reason/method.

그 시나리오는 너무 극단적으로 상정되었어요.

That scenario was assumed too extremely.

Adverb '극단적으로' (extremely).

인구 감소를 상정하지 않으면 안 됩니다.

We must assume population decline.

Double negative -지 않으면 안 되다 (must).

정부는 새 예산안을 상정할 계획입니다.

The government plans to table the new budget bill.

Noun '계획' (plan) with future modifier.

어떤 상황을 상정하느냐에 따라 달라요.

It depends on what situation you assume.

-느냐에 따라 (depending on whether).

법안이 상정되자마자 논란이 일었습니다.

As soon as the bill was tabled, controversy arose.

-자마자 (as soon as).

최악의 시나리오를 상정하고 플랜 B를 짰다.

I assumed the worst-case scenario and made Plan B.

Transitive use with object '시나리오'.

이번 안건은 다음 주 회의에 상정될 예정이다.

This agenda item is scheduled to be tabled in next week's meeting.

-ㄹ 예정이다 (scheduled to).

화재 상황을 상정하여 소방 훈련을 실시했다.

We conducted a fire drill assuming a fire situation.

Formal verb '실시하다' (conduct).

상대방의 반박을 상정하고 논리를 세우세요.

Build your logic assuming the opponent's rebuttal.

Imperative -세요.

전쟁이 일어난다는 가정 하에 상황을 상정했다.

We assumed the situation under the assumption that war breaks out.

Using '가정 하에' (under the assumption) with '상정하다'.

위원회는 개정안 상정을 잠정 보류했다.

The committee temporarily postponed the tabling of the amendment.

Noun form '상정' (tabling).

기술적 한계를 상정하지 않은 계획은 위험하다.

A plan that doesn't assume technical limits is dangerous.

-지 않은 (negative adjective modifier).

그 가설은 특수한 환경을 상정하고 있습니다.

That hypothesis is assuming a special environment.

-고 있다 (progressive/state).

현실적으로 발생 가능한 모든 변수를 상정해야 한다.

We must assume all variables that can realistically occur.

Adverb '현실적으로' (realistically).

국회의장이 본회의에 법안을 직권 상정했다.

The Speaker of the National Assembly tabled the bill by his authority.

Technical term '직권 상정' (ex officio tabling).

이 모델은 완전 경쟁 시장을 상정하고 도출되었다.

This model was derived assuming a perfectly competitive market.

Passive '도출되었다' (was derived).

비상사태를 상정한 매뉴얼이 제대로 작동하지 않았다.

The manual assuming an emergency did not work properly.

-ㄴ (past modifier).

그 철학자는 인간이 이기적이라고 상정하고 이론을 폈다.

The philosopher developed his theory assuming humans are selfish.

-라고 상정하다 (assume that...).

여야 합의가 불발되어 상정이 무산될 위기다.

The agreement failed, so the tabling is in danger of being canceled.

Noun '무산' (breakdown/cancellation).

기후 변화로 인한 최악의 가뭄을 상정해 보십시오.

Please try assuming the worst drought caused by climate change.

-로 인한 (caused by).

그의 주장은 잘못된 전제를 상정하고 있어 논리적이지 않다.

His argument is not logical because it assumes a wrong premise.

Clause connecting with '있어' (because it is...).

사고 실험의 일환으로 무중력 상태를 상정해 보자.

As part of a thought experiment, let's assume a state of zero gravity.

Formal phrase '일환으로' (as part of).

의안 상정 요건을 충족하지 못해 반려되었다.

It was returned because it failed to meet the requirements for tabling the bill.

Noun '요건' (requirement) and '반려' (return/rejection).

이 논문은 행위자의 합리성을 상정하는 신고전파 경제학에 기반한다.

This paper is based on neoclassical economics, which assumes the rationality of actors.

Formal '기반한다' (is based on).

다원주의 사회에서는 갈등의 상시 존재를 상정해야 한다.

In a pluralistic society, we must assume the constant existence of conflict.

Complex noun phrase '상시 존재' (constant existence).

정치적 교착 상태에서 국회의장의 상정권 행사는 민감한 사안이다.

In a political deadlock, the Speaker's exercise of the power to table bills is a sensitive issue.

Noun '상정권' (right/power to table).

실존주의적 불안은 죽음이라는 절대적 상황을 상정함으로써 시작된다.

Existential anxiety begins by assuming the absolute situation of death.

-함으로써 (by doing).

데이터 분석 시 이상치(outlier)가 존재할 가능성을 항상 상정한다.

When analyzing data, we always assume the possibility that outliers exist.

Technical term '이상치' (outlier).

법치주의는 모든 국민이 법 앞에 평등하다는 원칙을 상정한다.

The rule of law assumes the principle that all citizens are equal before the law.

Noun phrase with '-다는 원칙' (the principle that...).

Synonyms

가정하다 전제하다 제안하다 상상하다

Antonyms

실증하다 확정하다

Common Collocations

상황을 상정하다

법안을 상정하다

안건을 상정하다

시나리오를 상정하다

조건을 상정하다

본회의에 상정되다

위험을 상정하다

전제를 상정하다

사태를 상정하다

가능성을 상정하다

Common Phrases

직권 상정

— When a chairperson uses their authority to table a bill without committee agreement.

국회의장의 직권 상정이 논란이 되었다.

상정 안건

— An agenda item that has been officially tabled for discussion.

오늘의 상정 안건은 세 가지입니다.

가상 상황 상정

— Assuming a virtual or hypothetical situation for training.

가상 상황 상정 훈련을 실시했다.

상정 범위

— The scope of what is being assumed or discussed.

논의의 상정 범위를 정합시다.

상정 모델

— A model based on specific assumptions.

이것은 경제 성장을 상정한 모델이다.

상정 가액

— An assumed or estimated value (often in insurance or appraisal).

건물의 상정 가액을 계산했다.

상정 시점

— The point in time being assumed in a scenario.

사고 발생 상정 시점은 오후 2시입니다.

일괄 상정

— Tabling multiple bills or items all at once.

여러 법안을 일괄 상정하기로 했다.

상정 거부

— Refusing to put a bill or topic on the agenda.

여당이 법안 상정을 거부했다.

상정 절차

— The official procedure for tabling a motion.

상정 절차를 준수해야 합니다.

Often Confused With

상정하다 vs 가정하다

가정하다 is more general; 상정하다 is more analytical or procedural.

상정하다 vs 상상하다

상상하다 is purely creative/mental imagination; 상정하다 is setting a logical premise.

상정하다 vs 제출하다

제출하다 is the act of giving a document; 상정하다 is putting it on the official agenda.

Idioms & Expressions

"도마 위에 상정하다"

— To put something on the 'cutting board' (officially bring it up for intense scrutiny or debate).

그의 과거 행적이 도마 위에 상정되었다.

Metaphorical/Journalistic

"머릿속에 상정하다"

— To picture or assume something entirely within one's mind.

성공한 미래를 머릿속에 상정하며 노력했다.

Common

"최악을 상정하다"

— To prepare for the absolute worst possibility.

항상 최악을 상정하고 움직여야 한다.

Common/Strategic

"없던 일로 상정하다"

— To assume something never happened (often used in logic or negotiation).

그 실수를 없던 일로 상정하고 다시 시작합시다.

Neutral

"평행선을 상정하다"

— To assume two viewpoints will never meet (like parallel lines).

대화가 안 될 것을 상정하고 나갔다.

Literary

"제로 베이스에서 상정하다"

— To assume/start from zero (no prior conditions).

제로 베이스에서 모든 계획을 상정했다.

Business

"배수진을 상정한 각오"

— A determination assuming there is no retreat (burning bridges).

그는 배수진을 상정한 각오로 시험에 임했다.

Formal/Idiomatic

"유리한 조건만 상정하다"

— To assume only favorable conditions (cherry-picking assumptions).

유리한 조건만 상정하면 현실을 놓칠 수 있다.

Critical

"상정의 틀에 갇히다"

— To be stuck within the framework of one's own assumptions.

우리는 기존 상정의 틀에 갇혀 있었다.

Analytical

"수면 위로 상정하다"

— To bring a hidden issue up to the surface (official discussion).

드디어 그 문제가 수면 위로 상정되었다.

Journalistic

Easily Confused

상정하다 vs 가정하다

Both involve 'what if'.

가정하다 is general 'supposing'. 상정하다 is 'setting a fixed scenario for analysis'.

내가 새라고 가정해 봐. (Suppose I'm a bird - General)

상정하다 vs 추정하다

Both involve guessing.

추정하다 is based on evidence (inferring). 상정하다 is setting a condition (hypothesizing).

범인의 나이를 추정하다. (Estimate the age based on clues.)

상정하다 vs 발의하다

Both are used in politics for laws.

발의하다 is proposing/starting the bill. 상정하다 is putting it on the session agenda.

의원이 법안을 발의했다. (The lawmaker proposed the bill.)

상정하다 vs 제시하다

Both involve presenting ideas.

제시하다 is showing/presenting. 상정하다 is officially putting it up for debate.

해결책을 제시하다. (Present a solution.)

상정하다 vs 가상하다

Both mean imagine/hypothesize.

가상하다 is often used for 'virtual' or 'fictional' worlds. 상정하다 is for logical scenarios.

가상 현실 (Virtual Reality).

Sentence Patterns

N을/를 상정하다

위험을 상정하다.

N이/가 상정되다

안건이 상정되다.

V-ㄴ/는다고 상정하다

성공한다고 상정하다.

N을/를 상정한 N

지진을 상정한 훈련.

N 상정 하에

비밀 유지 상정 하에.

N을/를 상정해 볼 때

미래를 상정해 볼 때.

만약의 상황을 상정하다

만약의 상황을 상정하다.

본회의에 직권 상정하다

본회의에 직권 상정하다.

Word Family

Nouns

상정 (想定/上程) - Assumption/Tabling

상정안 - Tabled proposal

Verbs

상정되다 - To be assumed/tabled (passive)

상정시키다 - To cause to be tabled

Adjectives

상정된 - Assumed/Tabled (past participle)

가정 (Assumption)

의안 (Bill)

전제 (Premise)

시나리오 (Scenario)

본회의 (Plenary session)

How to Use It

frequency

High in news/academic, low in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Using it for casual 'what-ifs'. → 만약 ~라면
It sounds too robotic in casual speech.
Confusing it with '상상하다'. → 상정하다
Don't use it for 'imagining a dragon'; use it for 'hypothesizing a market drop'.
Incorrect particle with '상정되다'. → 안건이 상정되다
Passive takes '이/가', active takes '을/를'.
Using it for 'assuming a role'. → 역할을 맡다
상정하다 is for situations/bills, not roles.
Confusing it with '제출하다'. → 상정하다
Submitting is the start; tabling is the official debate step.

Tips

Use in Essays

When writing an essay, use '상황을 상정해 보면' to start a new analytical paragraph.

News keywords

Whenever you hear '국회' (National Assembly), expect to hear '상정' soon after.

Hanja roots

Remember '상' (Up) for the legislative meaning and '상' (Think) for the logical meaning.

Passive Voice

In news, '상정되었습니다' is much more common than '상정했습니다'.

Formal Meetings

In a company meeting, use '안건 상정' to sound professional.

Academic Papers

Look for this word to find the core assumptions of a research paper.

Global Issues

Use it to talk about climate change or economic scenarios.

Mnemonic

SANG = Scenario, JEONG = Just set. Scenario Just-set.

Risk Reports

In risk management, always pair '상정' with '시나리오'.

Political Context

Understand that '상정' is the first step to making a law in Korea.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SANG' as 'Stage' and 'JEONG' as 'Just set'. You are 'Stage-Setting' a scenario to talk about it.

Visual Association

Imagine a politician physically placing a large paper (a bill) UP onto a high table (the agenda). That is '상정' (上程).

Word Web

가정 (Home/Assumption) 의회 (Parliament) 상황 (Situation) 생각 (Thought) 정하다 (Decide) 안건 (Agenda) 시나리오 (Scenario) 논리 (Logic)

Challenge

Try to write one sentence about a 'what if' situation and one sentence about a 'meeting' using this same word.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean roots. There are two primary pairs of Hanja for this word depending on the meaning.

Original meaning: 想定 (상정): 想 (Think/Imagine) + 定 (Fix/Decide). Meaning 'to fix a thought/hypothesis'. 上程 (상정): 上 (Up/Above) + 程 (Path/Agenda). Meaning 'to put up on the agenda path'.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Cultural Context

This is a neutral, formal word. No specific sensitivities, but using it in very casual settings might make you sound arrogant or overly stiff.

In English, we use 'table a motion' or 'introduce a bill'. For the other meaning, we use 'hypothesize' or 'postulate'. Korean uses one word for both, which can be confusing for English speakers who see these as separate concepts.

Frequent term in 'The National Assembly' (Korean political dramas). Commonly used in 'News Desk' (MBC) and other major news programs. Found in academic papers by famous Korean economists like Chang Ha-joon.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

National Assembly / Politics

법안 상정
직권 상정
상정을 거부하다
본회의 상정

Academic Research / Science

상황을 상정하다
가설을 상정하다
변수를 상정하다
상정된 모델

Business Strategy / Risk Management

시나리오 상정
위험 상정
최악을 상정하다
시장 상황 상정

Legal / Courtroom

증거 상정
상황 상정
범행 동기 상정
가정적 상황 상정

Logic / Philosophy

전제 상정
존재 상정
이론적 상정
상정된 세계

Conversation Starters

"만약 우리가 화성에 살고 있다고 상정한다면, 어떤 문제가 생길까요?"

"회사에서 최악의 매출 감소를 상정해 본 적이 있나요?"

"오늘 뉴스에서 어떤 법안이 국회에 상정되었는지 보셨어요?"

"이 이론은 인간의 이기심을 상정하고 있는데, 동의하시나요?"

"재난 상황을 상정하고 훈련하는 것이 왜 중요할까요?"

Journal Prompts

내가 10년 뒤에 아주 유명한 사람이 되었다고 상정하고, 그날의 일기를 써 보세요.

한국 정부가 새로운 환경 법안을 상정한다면, 어떤 내용이어야 할지 써 보세요.

인공지능이 인간의 지능을 뛰어넘는 상황을 상정하고, 미래의 모습을 묘사해 보세요.

자신의 인생에서 가장 큰 위험을 상정해 보고, 그것을 어떻게 극복할지 계획을 세워 보세요.

돈이 필요 없는 사회를 상정했을 때, 사람들의 관계는 어떻게 변할까요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Rarely. It's mostly for news, business, or academic contexts. Use '생각하다' or '만약 ~라면' for daily life.

상정 is more formal and implies setting a specific, structured scenario for a purpose. 가정 is a broader 'suppose'.

Not really. '상상하다' is 'to imagine'. '상정하다' is closer to 'to hypothesize' or 'to table a bill'.

You use '법안을 상정하다'.

Yes, but it is often used as a noun '상정' (e.g., 안건 상정).

Use it when the bill or agenda is the subject (Passive: The bill was tabled).

No, they are pronounced exactly the same.

No, for that you use '책임을 지다' or '맡다'.

Yes, it frequently appears in TOPIK II reading and writing sections.

It's when the head of a committee or the National Assembly speaker uses their power to force an agenda onto the floor.