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B1 noun #3,500 most common 9 min read

권한

gwonhan Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 권한 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 권한 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '권한' is a bit too difficult to use in your own speaking, but you might see it in simple computer error messages. Think of it as 'The Secret Key' that lets you do things. For now, just remember that if you see '권한이 없습니다,' it means 'You cannot do this' or 'Stop.' You don't need to use this word with your friends yet. Use '해도 돼요?' (May I?) instead. This word is for formal things like computers and bosses.

At the A2 level, you can start to recognize '권한' in specific contexts like '앱 권한' (App permissions) on your phone. You might learn it as part of a list of words about the office or technology. You should know that '권한' means someone has the 'OK' from a system or a boss to do something. You can try to understand sentences like '관리자 권한' (Admin rights). It's a noun, so you use it with '있다' (to have) or '없다' (to not have).

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '권한' in professional or semi-formal settings. You understand that it means 'authority' or 'legal right.' You can explain who is in charge of a project using this word: '이 일은 제 권한이 아닙니다' (This matter is not my authority). You are starting to see the difference between '권한' (authority from a job) and '권리' (human rights). You can also use it when talking about digital privacy and smartphone settings.

At the B2 level, you can use '권한' fluently with complex verbs like '부여하다' (grant), '위임하다' (delegate), and '행사하다' (exercise). You understand its role in corporate and legal structures. You can discuss social issues like '권한 남용' (abuse of authority) and explain why it is a problem. You are comfortable seeing this word in news articles or official documents. You can distinguish between '권한' and '권력' (raw power) in a discussion about politics or history.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the nuances of '권한'. You can use synonyms like '직권,' '관할,' and '전권' correctly depending on the situation. You can participate in high-level debates about '수사권 조정' (adjustment of investigative authority) or '지방 분권' (decentralization of authority). You understand the philosophical implications of delegated authority in a democracy. You can use the word in academic writing and formal presentations without hesitation.

At the C2 level, you use '권한' like a native speaker, including in legal, constitutional, and highly technical contexts. You can analyze the legal boundaries of '권한' in complex court cases. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its Hanja roots. You can use it in literature or persuasive speeches to evoke a sense of legitimacy or to critique the structure of an organization. Your usage is precise, elegant, and perfectly suited to the register of the conversation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

권한 in 30 Seconds

Authority or legal power granted to a person or entity by a system, law, or organization.
Rooted in Hanja: 'Gwon' (power) and 'Han' (limit), implying a defined scope of action.
Commonly used in professional, legal, and digital contexts (e.g., app permissions, job duties).
Distinguished from 'Gwon-ri' (rights) and 'Gwon-ryeok' (raw political power) by its institutional nature.

The Korean word 권한 (Gwon-han) is a fundamental noun that translates most accurately to 'authority,' 'jurisdiction,' or 'mandated power.' To understand its weight, one must look at its Hanja roots: 權 (Gwon) meaning 'power' or 'influence,' and 限 (Han) meaning 'limit' or 'boundary.' Therefore, etymologically, 권한 is not just raw power (which would be 권력 - Gwon-ryeok), but specifically the 'limited power' or 'defined scope of influence' granted to an individual or entity by a law, a contract, or a social structure.

Legal Context: In the legal world, it refers to the jurisdiction of a court or the legal capacity of an official to perform specific acts. For instance, a police officer has the 권한 to arrest, but not the 권한 to sentence a criminal.
Corporate Context: In a business setting, it refers to 'delegated authority.' A manager might have the 권한 to approve expenses up to $1,000, but anything higher requires the CEO's 권한. It is often paired with responsibility (책임).
Digital Context: In IT and software, this is the standard word for 'permissions' or 'access rights.' If you cannot open a file on a shared drive, the system will say '권한이 없습니다' (You do not have the authority/permission).

When people use this word, they are usually discussing the boundaries of what is allowed. It is a formal and semi-formal word. You won't hear a child asking for the '권한' to eat a cookie; they would use '허락' (permission). However, a citizen might argue about the '권한' of the government. The nuance is always about the *legitimacy* and the *scope* of the power being exercised. It implies that the power comes from a source higher than the person themselves, such as a set of rules or a higher authority.

팀장님은 신입 사원 채용에 대한 모든 권한을 가지고 있습니다. (The team leader has all the authority regarding the hiring of new employees.)

Culturally, in Korea's hierarchical society, understanding who has what 권한 is crucial for navigating social and professional interactions. Misunderstanding your own 권한 (overstepping) is seen as '월권' (overstepping authority), which is a serious social faux pas. Conversely, not exercising your 권한 when you should is seen as a failure of duty. It is a word that balances power with accountability. Whether you are dealing with government documents, software settings, or workplace hierarchies, '권한' is the key that unlocks what you can and cannot do legally and procedurally.

Using '권한' correctly requires knowing which verbs it typically pairs with. Because it is a formal noun, it often appears in 'Noun + Verb' collocations that describe the giving, taking, or using of power. The most common verb is 부여하다 (to grant/bestow). When a company gives you a new role, they 'grant' you authority. Another crucial verb is 행사하다 (to exercise). This is used when someone actually uses the power they were given.

Granting Authority: 정부는 위원회에 조사 권한을 부여했습니다. (The government granted investigative authority to the committee.)
Exercising Authority: 판사는 법에 따라 권한을 행사해야 합니다. (A judge must exercise authority according to the law.)
Abusing Authority: 그는 자신의 권한을 남용하여 사적인 이익을 취했습니다. (He abused his authority to gain private interests.)

In digital contexts, you will frequently see the phrase '접근 권한' (access authority/permission). This is the phrase used when your computer tells you that you don't have permission to view a folder. In a more abstract sense, '권한' can be used to describe someone's right to speak or act on behalf of a group. For example, '나는 이 일을 결정할 권한이 없다' (I do not have the authority to decide this matter).

파일을 삭제할 수 있는 권한이 없습니다. (You do not have the authority to delete the file.)

When constructing sentences, remember that '권한' is almost always something that is *given* (주어지다/부여되다) or *held* (있다/가지다). It is rarely something you just 'have' naturally like a personality trait; it is a systemic assignment. If you want to say someone is 'bossy,' you wouldn't say they have a lot of '권한'; you would use different terms. '권한' is strictly about the official or legal capacity.

Finally, consider the negative aspect: 남용 (nam-yong - abuse) and 오용 (o-yong - misuse). Because '권한' is a social trust, its misuse is a frequent topic in news and literature. Sentences like '권한 남용은 민주주의를 위협한다' (Abuse of authority threatens democracy) are common in political discourse. This highlights that '권한' is a neutral tool that depends entirely on the ethics of the person exercising it.

You will encounter '권한' in several distinct environments in Korea. The first and most common is the **office environment**. During meetings, people often define the scope of a project by saying, '이 부분은 누구의 권한인가요?' (Whose authority is this part?). It helps clarify who makes the final call. If a subordinate makes a decision without asking, a manager might sternly mention their lack of '권한'.

회의에서 결정된 사항은 제 권한 밖의 일입니다. (The matters decided in the meeting are outside of my authority.)

The second place is **government and legal news**. News anchors frequently use '권한' when discussing the powers of the President, the National Assembly, or the Prosecutors. You might hear about '대통령의 사면 권한' (the President's power of pardon) or '검찰의 수사 권한' (the prosecution's investigative authority). These are high-level discussions about the separation of powers.

News Media: '국회는 예산안을 심의할 권한을 가집니다.' (The National Assembly has the authority to deliberate on the budget bill.)
Customer Service: '죄송하지만, 환불 처리는 제 권한이 아닙니다. 매니저를 불러드리겠습니다.' (I'm sorry, but processing refunds is not within my authority. I will call the manager.)

Thirdly, you will see this word every day on your **smartphone and computer**. When you install a new app in Korea, the system will ask for '권한 허용' (Allow permissions). This includes access to your camera, microphone, and contacts. This is the most modern and frequent usage for the average person. If you are a developer, you will deal with '관리자 권한' (Administrator privileges) constantly.

Lastly, in **academic or historical contexts**, '권한' is used to describe the transition of power. Historians might discuss how the '권한' of the king was limited by the introduction of new laws. In sociology, it is used to discuss 'empowerment'—the process of giving '권한' to marginalized groups. Thus, from the smallest app on your phone to the largest shifts in history, '권한' is the word used to describe the formal right to act.

The most common mistake learners make with '권한' is confusing it with three other similar-sounding or similar-meaning words: **권리 (Gwon-ri)**, **권력 (Gwon-ryeok)**, and **자격 (Ja-gyeok)**. While they all relate to power or rights, they are not interchangeable, and using the wrong one can change the entire meaning of your sentence.

권한 vs. 권리 (Authority vs. Right): '권리' is a 'right' that belongs to an individual (like human rights). '권한' is an 'authority' tied to a position or role. You have a '권리' to live, but a judge has the '권한' to sentence you.
권한 vs. 권력 (Authority vs. Power): '권력' is raw, often political power. It’s more about the ability to dominate. '권한' is the legal, institutionalized version of that power. A dictator has '권력'; a CEO has '권한'.
권한 vs. 자격 (Authority vs. Qualification): '자격' is a qualification or eligibility. You need the '자격' (license) to be a doctor, which then gives you the '권한' (authority) to prescribe medicine.

Incorrect: 저는 밥을 먹을 권한이 있어요. (I have the authority to eat.)
Correct: 저는 밥을 먹을 권리가 있어요. (I have the right to eat.)

Another mistake is using '권한' in informal, personal situations. If your friend tells you what to do and you want to say 'You're not my boss,' saying '너는 권한이 없어' (You have no authority) sounds incredibly stiff and robotic—like a robot in a sci-fi movie. Instead, Koreans would say '네가 뭔데?' (Who are you to...?) or '네 마음대로 하지 마' (Don't do as you please).

Finally, learners often struggle with the verb '위임하다' (to delegate). They might try to say '권한을 주다' (give authority), which is okay, but in a professional setting, '권한을 위임하다' is the standard way to express passing your authority to a subordinate. Misusing these formal verbs can make a high-level speaker sound like a beginner.

Depending on the context, you might want to use a word that is more specific than '권한'. While '권한' is the broad umbrella term for authority, Korean has several nuanced alternatives that can make your speech more precise and professional.

직권 (Jik-gwon): Authority inherent to one's official position. It is often used in the phrase '직권 남용' (abuse of official power). It specifically emphasizes the 'office' or 'job' (직).
관할 (Gwan-hal): Jurisdiction. This is used when talking about geographical or topical areas of control. For example, '이 사건은 우리 경찰서 관할이 아닙니다' (This case is not within our station's jurisdiction).
전권 (Jeon-gwon): Full authority or 'plenipotentiary' power. Use this when someone has been given 100% control over a specific matter without needing to check back with superiors.

그는 이번 프로젝트에 대한 전권을 위임받았습니다. (He was delegated full authority for this project.)

If you are looking for a more casual way to say someone has the 'say' in something, you might use **'결정권' (Gyeol-jeong-gwon)**, which literally means 'the right to decide.' This is very common in everyday office talk: '누가 최종 결정권을 가지고 있나요?' (Who has the final say/decision-making right?).

In contrast, if you want to talk about 'influence' rather than formal authority, use **'영향력' (Yeong-hyang-ryeok)**. A celebrity might have huge '영향력' over teenagers, but they have no legal '권한' over them. Understanding these distinctions is the difference between an intermediate learner and an advanced speaker. Choosing the right synonym shows you understand the social structure of the situation you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 權 (Gwon) originally depicted a 'scale' or 'weight' used for measuring. This suggests that authority was originally seen as the power to 'weigh' or 'judge' things fairly.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɡwʌnhan

US ɡwʌnhan

Stress is even on both syllables, common in Korean.

Rhymes With

신한 (Shin-han) 대한 (Dae-han) 제한 (Je-han) 무한 (Mu-han) 순한 (Sun-han) 흔한 (Heun-han) 편한 (Pyeon-han) 강한 (Gang-han)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Gwon-an' (dropping the 'h').
Confusing it with 'Gwon-han' (long vowel vs short).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and tech, easy to recognize once learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal verb collocations like '부여' or '위임'.

Speaking 3/5

Useful in office settings, but sounds stiff in casual talk.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in formal announcements and news.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

힘 (Power) 일 (Work) 법 (Law) 있다/없다 (To have/not have) 주다 (To give)

Learn Next

책임 (Responsibility) 의무 (Duty) 규정 (Regulation) 절차 (Procedure) 승인 (Approval)

Advanced

직권남용 (Abuse of power) 권한이양 (Devolution) 사법권 (Judiciary power) 대의권 (Representative power)

Grammar to Know

Noun + 에 대한 (Regarding/Over)

인사에 대한 권한 (Authority over personnel matters)

Verb + ㄹ/을 권한 (Authority to [Verb])

결정할 권한 (Authority to decide)

Noun + -으로 (By means of/As)

관리자 권한으로 (As an administrator)

Noun + -로서 (As a status)

팀장으로서의 권한 (Authority as a team leader)

Noun + -조차 (Even - used for emphasis)

볼 권한조차 없다 (Don't even have the authority to look)

Examples by Level

권한이 없어요.

I don't have authority/permission.

Subject marker -이 is used with 없다.

이것은 제 권한입니다.

This is my authority.

Simple A is B structure (N은 N입니다).

권한을 주세요.

Please give me authority/permission.

Object marker -을 with the verb 주다.

누가 권한이 있어요?

Who has the authority?

Interrogative '누가' (who) as the subject.

컴퓨터 권한이 필요해요.

I need computer permissions.

Noun + 가/이 필요하다 means 'to need something'.

그분은 권한이 많아요.

That person has a lot of authority.

Adverb '많이' becomes '많다' in this context.

권한이 바뀌었어요.

The authority has changed.

Past tense of 바뀌다 (to change).

권한을 확인하세요.

Check the permissions.

Imperative form -세요.

앱 권한을 허용할까요?

Should I allow app permissions?

-을까요? is used to ask for an opinion or suggestion.

관리자 권한으로 로그인하세요.

-으로 indicates means or status.

저는 결정 권한이 없어요.

I don't have the authority to decide.

Compound noun '결정 권한'.

선생님은 학생을 가르칠 권한이 있습니다.

Teachers have the authority to teach students.

-ㄹ/을 N structure for 'authority to [verb]'.

이 서류는 권한이 있는 사람만 볼 수 있어요.

Only people with authority can see this document.

-는 사람 (person who...) and -만 (only).

부모님은 자녀에 대한 권한이 있어요.

Parents have authority over their children.

-에 대한 means 'about' or 'over'.

권한 설정을 다시 하세요.

Please redo the permission settings.

Setting (설정) is often used with 권한.

그는 모든 권한을 잃었어요.

He lost all his authority.

Past tense of 잃다 (to lose).

팀장님께 권한을 위임받았습니다.

I was delegated authority by the team leader.

-에게/께... -을 위임받다 (to be delegated something by someone).

이 일은 제 권한 밖의 일이라 도와드릴 수 없네요.

Since this is outside my authority, I can't help you.

N 밖의 일 (matter outside of N).

개인 정보 접근 권한을 강화해야 합니다.

We must strengthen access authority for personal information.

-해야 하다 (must/should).

경찰은 수사 권한을 남용해서는 안 됩니다.

Police must not abuse their investigative authority.

-해서는 안 된다 (must not).

누가 이 예산을 승인할 권한을 가지고 있습니까?

Who has the authority to approve this budget?

Formal question ending -습니까?

새로운 매니저에게 더 많은 권한이 부여되었습니다.

More authority was granted to the new manager.

Passive form 부여되다 (to be granted).

권한이 없는 사용자가 시스템에 접속을 시도했습니다.

An unauthorized user attempted to access the system.

Noun modification with -없는.

법적인 권한을 확인한 후에 진행합시다.

Let's proceed after checking the legal authority.

-ㄴ 후에 (after doing...).

정부는 지자체에 더 많은 행정 권한을 이양하기로 했습니다.

The government decided to transfer more administrative authority to local governments.

-기로 하다 (to decide to).

그는 직권을 남용하여 뇌물을 받은 혐의로 기소되었습니다.

He was indicted on charges of taking bribes by abusing his official authority.

-ㄴ 혐의로 (on charges of).

이번 계약에서 대리인의 권한 범위를 명확히 설정해야 합니다.

In this contract, we must clearly set the scope of the agent's authority.

Scope (범위) is a common collocation.

비상 상황 발생 시 사령관은 전권을 행사할 수 있습니다.

In case of an emergency, the commander can exercise full authority.

Full authority (전권) and exercise (행사하다).

헌법은 대통령의 권한과 책임을 규정하고 있습니다.

The Constitution prescribes the powers and responsibilities of the President.

Prescribe (규정하다).

그는 자신의 권한을 넘어서는 요구를 하고 있습니다.

He is making demands that exceed his authority.

-을 넘어서다 (to exceed/go beyond).

사법권의 독립은 판사의 권한을 보호하는 데서 시작됩니다.

The independence of the judiciary begins with protecting the authority of judges.

-는 데서 (starting from the point of...).

이사회는 CEO의 권한을 제한할 수 있는 장치를 마련했습니다.

The board of directors established a mechanism to limit the CEO's authority.

Limit (제한하다) and mechanism (장치).

검찰과 경찰 사이의 수사권 조정은 오랜 논쟁 거리였습니다.

The adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and the police has been a long-standing debate.

Adjustment (조정) and investigative authority (수사권).

대의 민주주의에서 권한의 정당성은 국민으로부터 나옵니다.

In representative democracy, the legitimacy of authority comes from the people.

Legitimacy (정당성).

월권행위는 조직의 위계질서를 무너뜨리는 심각한 문제입니다.

Overstepping one's authority is a serious problem that destroys the organizational hierarchy.

Overstepping authority (월권행위).

국제법상 영토 분쟁 지역에서의 관할 권한은 복잡한 이슈입니다.

Under international law, jurisdictional authority in territorial dispute areas is a complex issue.

-상 (according to/under the context of).

그는 학문적 권한을 바탕으로 새로운 이론을 제시했습니다.

Based on his academic authority, he presented a new theory.

-을 바탕으로 (based on).

의장은 회의를 중단시킬 수 있는 고유한 권한을 가집니다.

The chairperson has the inherent authority to suspend the meeting.

Inherent (고유한).

디지털 시대의 데이터 주권은 개인의 정보 통제 권한을 의미합니다.

Data sovereignty in the digital age means an individual's authority to control their information.

Sovereignty (주권).

이 조항은 하위 기관에 권한을 위임하는 근거가 됩니다.

This clause serves as the basis for delegating authority to subordinate agencies.

Basis (근거).

국가 권력의 비대화를 막기 위해 권한의 분산과 견제가 필수적입니다.

To prevent the bloating of state power, the distribution and checking of authority are essential.

Bloating (비대화) and checks and balances (견제).

통치권자의 초법적 권한 행사는 법치주의의 근간을 흔들 수 있습니다.

A ruler's exercise of extra-legal authority can shake the very foundation of the rule of law.

Extra-legal (초법적) and foundation (근간).

조약의 비준 권한은 오직 입법부에 귀속되어야 마땅합니다.

The authority to ratify treaties should rightfully belong only to the legislature.

-에 귀속되다 (to belong to/be vested in).

그 논문은 중세 교황권의 세속적 권한에 대한 비판적 시각을 담고 있습니다.

The thesis contains a critical perspective on the secular authority of the medieval papacy.

Secular (세속적).

행정 입법의 범위가 넓어지면서 국회의 통제 권한이 약화될 우려가 있습니다.

As the scope of administrative legislation expands, there are concerns that the National Assembly's control authority may be weakened.

-ㄹ 우려가 있다 (there is a concern that...).

지적 재산권은 창작자에게 부여되는 독점적 권한의 일종입니다.

Intellectual property rights are a type of exclusive authority granted to creators.

Exclusive (독점적).

그 감독은 선수 기용에 있어 절대적인 권한을 휘둘렀습니다.

The coach wielded absolute authority in the selection of players.

Wield (휘두르다 - often used negatively).

권한의 위임과 전결 규정은 조직의 효율성을 좌우하는 핵심 요소입니다.

The delegation of authority and the regulations for final decision-making are key elements that determine organizational efficiency.

Determine/influence (좌우하다).

Common Collocations

권한을 부여하다

권한을 남용하다

권한을 위임하다

접근 권한

관리자 권한

권한을 행사하다

권한 밖의 일

권한을 박탈하다

권한을 축소하다

권한 범위

Common Phrases

권한이 없다

— To have no authority or permission to do something.

저는 그 파일을 열 권한이 없어요.

권한을 가지다

— To hold or possess authority.

누가 이 프로젝트의 권한을 가지고 있나요?

권한 대행

— Acting authority (someone filling in for a leader).

국무총리가 대통령 권한 대행을 맡았다.

법적 권한

— Legal authority or mandate.

우리는 법적 권한 없이 행동할 수 없다.

권한 설정

— Permission settings (usually in software).

앱의 권한 설정을 확인해 보세요.

권한 이양

— Transfer of authority (usually between government bodies).

중앙 정부의 권한 이양이 필요하다.

고유 권한

— Inherent authority belonging to a specific role.

인사는 사장의 고유 권한이다.

수사 권한

— Investigative authority (police/prosecution).

수사 권한 조정안이 통과되었다.

결정 권한

— Decision-making authority.

당신에게 결정 권한을 드리겠습니다.

무단 권한 행사

— Unauthorized exercise of power.

무단 권한 행사는 징계 대상입니다.

Often Confused With

권한 vs 권리

Rights belonging to an individual (e.g., freedom of speech), whereas 권한 is authority tied to a role.

권한 vs 권력

Raw, often political power to dominate, whereas 권한 is the legal/official scope of power.

권한 vs 권위

Prestige, expertise, or the quality of being authoritative, rather than the formal right to act.

Idioms & Expressions

"칼자루를 쥐다"

— To hold the sword handle (to have the real power/authority in a situation).

이번 협상에서는 우리가 칼자루를 쥐고 있다.

Idiomatic/Informal

"생사여탈권을 쥐다"

— To hold the power of life and death (to have absolute authority over someone).

인사권자가 직원의 생사여탈권을 쥐고 있는 셈이다.

Formal/Metaphorical

"월권행위"

— An act of overstepping one's authority.

그의 발언은 명백한 월권행위였다.

Formal

"종이 호랑이"

— A paper tiger (someone who has formal authority but no real power).

그 위원회는 권한이 없는 종이 호랑이에 불과하다.

Idiomatic

"손안에 넣다"

— To put in one's hand (to gain control or authority over something).

그는 결국 회사의 모든 권한을 손안에 넣었다.

Informal/Metaphorical

"목줄을 죄다"

— To tighten the leash (to restrict someone's authority or freedom).

본사가 지사의 권한을 제한하며 목줄을 죄고 있다.

Metaphorical

"바지사장"

— A figurehead CEO (someone with the title but no actual authority).

그는 이름만 사장인 바지사장일 뿐이다.

Slang

"입을 막다"

— To cover someone's mouth (to use authority to prevent someone from speaking).

권한을 이용해 반대파의 입을 막으려 했다.

Metaphorical

"줄을 타다"

— To walk a tightrope (to exercise authority in a risky or delicate situation).

그는 권한 행사 과정에서 아슬아슬하게 줄을 타고 있다.

Idiomatic

"힘을 실어주다"

— To give strength to someone (to back someone up or grant them more authority).

회장님이 신임 본부장에게 힘을 실어주었다.

Neutral/Business

Easily Confused

권한 vs 자격

Both relate to being 'allowed' to do something.

자격 is the qualification (e.g., a degree); 권한 is the power granted because of that qualification.

의사 자격이 있어야 진료 권한이 생깁니다.

권한 vs 허가

Both mean 'permission'.

허가 is usually for a one-time or specific act; 권한 is a standing power or right.

건축 허가를 받아야 공사 권한이 생깁니다.

권한 vs 직권

Both mean official power.

직권 specifically emphasizes the 'office' or 'position' (직무).

경찰이 직권으로 도로를 폐쇄했다.

권한 vs 관할

Both involve control.

관할 refers to the area or territory of control.

이 구역은 우리 관할이 아닙니다.

권한 vs 전권

A type of authority.

전권 means 'full' or 'absolute' authority, not just partial.

그는 협상의 전권을 쥐고 있다.

Sentence Patterns

N + 권한이 있어요/없어요

접근 권한이 없어요.

V-ㄹ 권한을 가지다

선택할 권한을 가집니다.

N에 대한 권한

돈에 대한 권한이 없어요.

N에게 권한을 부여하다

직원에게 권한을 부여했습니다.

권한을 남용하다

그는 권한을 남용했어요.

권한을 위임받다

전권을 위임받았습니다.

권한 밖의 일이다

그건 제 권한 밖의 일입니다.

권한의 분산과 견제

권한의 분산과 견제가 필요합니다.

Word Family

Nouns

권한 (Authority)

권리 (Right)

권력 (Power)

권위 (Prestige/Authority)

월권 (Overstepping authority)

Verbs

권하다 (To recommend - Note: different root but same sound)

부여하다 (To grant)

위임하다 (To delegate)

행사하다 (To exercise)

Adjectives

권위적인 (Authoritative/Bossy)

정당한 (Legitimate)

막강한 (Powerful)

책임 (Responsibility)

의무 (Duty)

법 (Law)

직책 (Position)

허가 (Permission)

How to Use It

frequency

High (especially in work and technology environments)

Common Mistakes

Using '권한' instead of '권리' for human rights. → 인간의 권리 (Human rights)
Rights are inherent; authority is granted. You don't have the 'authority' to be free; you have the 'right'.
Using '권한' for physical power. → 그는 힘이 세다. (He is strong.)
'권한' is abstract and legal. It cannot describe physical strength.
Saying '권한을 주다' in a formal document. → 권한을 부여하다 / 위임하다
'주다' is too simple for formal writing. '부여하다' (grant) or '위임하다' (delegate) are better.
Confusing '권한' with '권유' (recommendation). → 권한 (Authority) vs 권유 (Recommendation)
They sound similar but '권유' is about suggesting something, while '권한' is about power.
Forgetting the particle -이/가 with '없다'. → 권한이 없어요.
In 'Noun + 없다' patterns, the subject marker -이/가 is usually required.

Tips

Use with '있다/없다'

The easiest way to use '권한' is simply saying you have it or don't. '권한이 있어요' or '권한이 없어요'.

Pair with '남용'

To talk about corruption, remember '권한 남용' (abuse of authority). It's a very common news term.

Office Etiquette

If someone asks you to do something you aren't allowed to do, say '제 권한 밖의 일입니다' to be professional.

App Permissions

When your phone asks for '권한 허용', it's asking for permission. '허용' means allow, '거부' means deny.

Remember 'Limit'

The 'Han' in 'Gwon-han' means limit. This helps you remember that authority is always bounded by rules.

Object Marker

When you give someone authority, use '권한을 부여하다'. '을' is the object marker.

Vs. Power

Don't use '권한' for physical strength. Use '힘' for that. '권한' is only for social or legal power.

Use '결정권'

If you specifically mean 'the right to decide,' '결정권' is a very common and useful alternative.

News Keywords

In Korean news, '수사권' (investigative authority) is a hot topic. Listen for it to stay informed about Korean politics.

The 'Kwon' Family

Group '권한' with '권리' and '권력' in your mind. They all start with 'power' (權).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'KWON' as 'Can' (ability) and 'HAN' as 'Hand' (control). You have the 'Can-Hand' to do the job.

Visual Association

Imagine a police officer standing inside a glowing circle on the ground. He has power, but only inside that circle (the limit).

Word Web

Law Office Manager Permission Limit Access Digital Responsibility

Challenge

Try to find 3 apps on your phone and look for the '권한' (Permissions) menu in the settings.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja). 權 (권) means 'power, authority, or scale' and 限 (한) means 'limit, boundary, or threshold'.

Original meaning: The boundary or limit within which power can be exercised.

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling someone they have no '권한'. It can sound very aggressive or confrontational if not used in a strictly professional context.

In English, we often use 'Authority' for people and 'Permissions' for computers. In Korean, '권한' covers both perfectly.

The Korean Constitution (Article 66 - Powers of the President) The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) Classic K-Dramas involving 'Abuse of Authority' (e.g., Stranger/Secret Forest)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In the Office

제 권한이 아닙니다.
권한을 위임해 주세요.
결정 권한이 누구에게 있나요?
권한 밖의 일입니다.

On a Computer/Phone

접근 권한이 없습니다.
관리자 권한으로 실행.
앱 권한 설정.
권한을 허용하시겠습니까?

In Legal Situations

법적 권한을 행사하다.
수사 권한이 있다.
권한 남용으로 고소하다.
권한 범위를 넘어서다.

In Politics

대통령의 권한.
지방 분권.
권한의 분산.
입법 권한.

Customer Service

매니저의 권한입니다.
권한이 제한되어 있습니다.
권한을 확인해 보겠습니다.
제 권한으로는 어렵습니다.

Conversation Starters

"이 프로젝트에서 제 권한은 어디까지인가요? (How far does my authority go in this project?)"

"새로운 앱을 설치할 때 권한 설정을 꼼꼼히 보시나요? (Do you look closely at permission settings when installing a new app?)"

"회사에서 권한과 책임 중 무엇이 더 중요하다고 생각하세요? (In a company, which do you think is more important: authority or responsibility?)"

"부모가 자녀의 사생활에 대해 어디까지 권한을 가져야 할까요? (How much authority should parents have over their children's privacy?)"

"관리자 권한이 없어서 파일을 못 열고 있어요. 도와줄 수 있나요? (I can't open the file because I don't have admin rights. Can you help?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 행사한 권한은 무엇이었는지 적어보세요. (Write about what authority you exercised today.)

만약 나에게 세상을 바꿀 전권이 주어진다면 무엇을 하고 싶나요? (If you were given full authority to change the world, what would you do?)

권한 남용을 목격한 적이 있나요? 그때의 기분은 어땠나요? (Have you ever witnessed an abuse of authority? How did you feel?)

디지털 권한(개인정보)을 보호하기 위해 내가 할 수 있는 일은 무엇일까요? (What can I do to protect my digital authority/privacy?)

내가 가진 권한에 따르는 책임은 무엇인지 생각해 보세요. (Think about the responsibilities that come with the authority you have.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'권리' (Right) is something you have as a human or citizen (like the right to vote). '권한' (Authority) is something you have because of a job or a specific rule (like a manager's authority to fire someone). You can't usually 'lose' a right, but you can lose your authority if you lose your job.

Not usually. '권한' is very formal. If you want to ask your friend if you can use their phone, use '허락' (permission). If you use '권한', it sounds like you are talking about a legal contract.

It means 'Administrator Privileges.' It allows you to change system settings that a normal user cannot change. It is the Korean equivalent of 'Run as Administrator'.

Not necessarily. While it gives you power, it also brings '책임' (responsibility). Also, '권한 남용' (abuse of authority) is a very negative term used for corruption.

You can use the word '월권' (Wol-gwon). It literally means 'crossing the power.' For example, '그의 행동은 월권이었다' (His action was overstepping his authority).

Yes, it is often used to describe the authority given by God to leaders or the authority of Jesus. In these cases, it implies a divine mandate.

In a legal sense, no. But in a classroom, a student might be given the '권한' to lead a group project by a teacher. It's always about being granted power by someone higher up.

It means 'Acting [Title].' For example, if a President cannot lead, the Prime Minister becomes the '대통령 권한 대행' (Acting President), meaning they exercise the President's authority temporarily.

Because apps need 'permission' to access your data. The system 'authorizes' them to use your camera or contacts. It's the standard technical term in Korea.

Keep the 'Gwon' short and the 'Han' clear. Don't stress either syllable too much. It should sound like one smooth word: Gwon-han.