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B2 noun #3,500 most common 10 min read

갈등

galdeung Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 갈등 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 갈등 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '갈등' (gal-deung) very often. It is a big, difficult word for beginners. Instead, you might learn words like '싸우다' (ssau-da), which means 'to fight' or 'to argue.' If you want to say you have a problem with a friend, you might say '문제가 있어요' (mun-je-ga it-eo-yo - there is a problem). However, it is good to know that '갈등' is a word adults use when they are not happy with each other or when they have a hard choice to make. You might see it in simple stories. Think of it like the word 'trouble' but for feelings and relationships. At this level, just remember that '갈' and '등' are like two plants that are twisted together and cannot be easily pulled apart. This makes a 'knot' of bad feelings.

At the A2 level, you can start to recognize '갈등' in basic news or stories. You might learn that it means 'conflict.' You can use it in simple sentences like '친구와 갈등이 있어요' (I have a conflict with a friend). This sounds a bit more grown-up than saying 'I fought with my friend.' You might also hear it in dramas when characters are sad because their parents don't like their partner. At this level, focus on the fact that '갈등' is a noun. You usually use it with '있다' (to have/exist) or '없다' (to not have). For example, '우리 사이에는 갈등이 없어요' means 'There is no conflict between us.' It is a useful word to describe why a situation is difficult or why people are not talking to each other.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '갈등' to describe common social situations. You will learn specific types of conflict, like '내적 갈등' (internal conflict) and '세대 갈등' (generational conflict). You can start using verbs like '겪다' (to experience) or '생기다' (to arise). For example, '새로운 일을 시작할 때 내적 갈등을 겪었어요' (I experienced internal conflict when starting a new job). You are moving beyond simple fights and starting to talk about 'tensions' and 'dilemmas.' You should also know the word '해소하다' (to resolve) to talk about fixing the conflict. This level requires you to understand that '갈등' isn't just about shouting; it's about the complicated feelings and different ideas that make people disagree.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '갈등' fluently in discussions about society, work, and literature. You should understand the Hanja origin (arrowroot and wisteria) as it helps you remember the nuance of 'entanglement.' You can use advanced collocations like '갈등을 빚다' (to cause/brew conflict) and '갈등이 심화되다' (conflict intensifies). You should be able to explain the '갈등 구조' (conflict structure) of a movie or a book. At this level, you can distinguish '갈등' from similar words like '마찰' (friction) or '대립' (opposition). You might use it to discuss complex topics like '노사 갈등' (labor-management conflict) in a professional setting. You understand that '갈등' is a natural part of any relationship or society and can talk about '갈등 관리' (conflict management).

At the C1 level, your use of '갈등' should be precise and nuanced. You can use it to analyze deep psychological states or complex geopolitical issues. You might use phrases like '갈등의 골이 깊다' (the valley of conflict is deep) to describe a long-standing, difficult-to-resolve situation. You can discuss '갈등 해소의 실마리' (a clue/thread to resolving conflict). In academic writing, you would use '갈등' to describe the friction between different cultural values or economic theories. You are comfortable using the word in its verbal form '갈등하다' to describe a character's profound existential struggle. You can also use the word ironically or metaphorically in high-level conversation to describe even subtle tensions in art or design.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '갈등' and its related idioms. You can engage in philosophical debates about whether '갈등' is a necessary catalyst for social progress (dialectics). You can use rare or highly formal expressions like '첨예한 갈등' (sharp/acute conflict) or '갈등을 중재하다' (to mediate conflict) with perfect timing. Your understanding of the word includes its historical usage in Korean literature and its role in the 'Hwa-jaeng' (harmonization of disputes) philosophy in Korean Buddhism. You can write persuasive essays or deliver speeches that analyze the '갈등 양상' (aspects of conflict) in modern society, offering sophisticated solutions for '사회 통합' (social integration). The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a conceptual tool you use to navigate and describe the complexities of the human condition.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

갈등 in 30 Seconds

갈등 (Gal-deung) means conflict or discord, arising from the Hanja for 'arrowroot' and 'wisteria' vines tangling.
It can describe internal mental struggles (dilemmas) or external social and interpersonal disputes between groups or individuals.
Commonly used with verbs like '겪다' (experience), '빚다' (cause), and '해소하다' (resolve) in formal and semi-formal contexts.
It is a core concept in Korean literature, news, and daily life for expressing the complexity of human friction.

The word 갈등 (Gal-deung) is one of the most evocative and deeply rooted terms in the Korean language for describing human friction. At its most basic level, it translates to 'conflict,' 'discord,' or 'strife.' However, to truly understand its weight, one must look at the literal imagery embedded in its Hanja (Chinese characters). The character 葛 (Gal) refers to the arrowroot vine, and 藤 (Deung) refers to the wisteria vine. In nature, arrowroot vines twist to the left, while wisteria vines twist to the right. When these two plants grow in the same space, they wrap around each other in opposite directions, creating a complex, tangled knot that is nearly impossible to unravel without damaging the plants. This botanical struggle serves as a perfect metaphor for human relationships, internal dilemmas, and societal tensions.

Interpersonal Conflict: This refers to disagreements between individuals, such as friends, family members, or coworkers. It often arises from differing values, goals, or misunderstandings. In Korean culture, which values harmony (hwa), acknowledging '갈등' is often the first step toward mediation.

고부간의 갈등은 한국 드라마의 흔한 소재입니다. (Conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is a common theme in Korean dramas.)

Beyond personal relationships, '갈등' is used extensively in psychological contexts to describe 'internal conflict' (내적 갈등). This is the mental struggle one feels when faced with two equally desirable but mutually exclusive choices, or when one's actions contradict their moral compass. For example, a student might feel '갈등' between their desire to play video games and their responsibility to study for an upcoming exam. This internal tug-of-war is seen as a natural part of human growth and decision-making.

Societal Conflict: In news and academic settings, you will hear terms like '세대 갈등' (generational conflict) or '계층 갈등' (class conflict). These describe systemic frictions within a population that require policy-level solutions rather than simple interpersonal apologies.

정부는 노사 간의 갈등을 해결하기 위해 중재에 나섰습니다. (The government stepped in to mediate and resolve the conflict between labor and management.)

In summary, '갈등' is a versatile word that scales from the smallest personal doubt to the largest international dispute. It carries a sense of complexity and entanglement, suggesting that the situation is not easily solved by a single action but requires careful untangling and understanding of multiple perspectives. Whether you are discussing a character's development in a novel or analyzing current events in a newspaper, this word is essential for expressing the nuances of human and social friction.

Psychological Depth: In literature, '갈등' is the engine of the plot. Without the protagonist's internal or external '갈등', there is no story. It represents the obstacles that must be overcome for character transformation.

Using 갈등 correctly requires understanding the verbs that typically accompany it. Because '갈등' represents a state of being tangled, we use verbs that describe experiencing, creating, deepening, or resolving that entanglement. The most common verb is 겪다 (to experience/undergo), used when someone is currently in the middle of a conflict.

Experiencing Conflict: When you are going through a tough time with someone or struggling with a choice, use '갈등을 겪다'. It emphasizes the process of enduring the tension.

그 부부는 성격 차이로 심한 갈등을 겪고 있습니다. (That couple is experiencing severe conflict due to personality differences.)

Another vital verb is 빚다 (to cause/create). Interestingly, '빚다' is also used for making dumplings or pottery. In the context of conflict, it implies that certain actions or words have 'shaped' or 'brewed' a state of discord. It is often used in news headlines to describe how a policy or statement sparked a disagreement.

Causing Conflict: Use '갈등을 빚다' when you want to highlight the cause or the starting point of the friction. It sounds more formal and objective than saying someone 'started a fight'.

새로운 정책이 지역 주민들과 갈등을 빚고 있습니다. (The new policy is causing conflict with local residents.)

When things get worse, we use 심화되다 (to deepen/intensify) or 고조되다 (to heighten). These describe the rising tension. Conversely, when looking for a solution, we use 해소하다 (to resolve/relieve) or 풀다 (to untie/solve). '해소하다' is more formal, while '풀다' matches the 'tangled vine' metaphor perfectly—literally untying the knot of conflict.

Resolving Conflict: To describe the act of fixing the problem, use '갈등을 해소하다'. This is common in business and political writing when discussing compromise.

우리는 대화를 통해 오해와 갈등을 해소했습니다. (We resolved our misunderstandings and conflicts through conversation.)

Finally, when you are indecisive, you can say '갈등 중이다' (I am in the middle of a conflict/dilemma). This is a very common way for Koreans to express that they are having a hard time choosing between options, like whether to quit a job or what to eat for dinner. It softens the indecision by framing it as a mental struggle.

If you watch Korean dramas (K-dramas), you will hear 갈등 constantly. It is the bread and butter of storytelling. Scriptwriters use it to describe the 'climax' or the 'turning point' in a relationship. In a typical melodrama, the '고부 갈등' (conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) is a legendary trope. You'll hear characters say, '우리 사이에 갈등이 너무 깊어' (The conflict between us is too deep), implying that the relationship has reached a point where it's hard to fix.

In the News: Evening news broadcasts are saturated with this word. Whether it's '남북 갈등' (North-South conflict), '여야 갈등' (conflict between ruling and opposition parties), or '외교적 갈등' (diplomatic conflict), the word is the standard term for any institutional friction.

최근 한일 관계의 갈등 양상이 복잡해지고 있습니다. (Recently, the aspect of conflict in Korea-Japan relations is becoming complex.)

In workplace settings, HR managers and team leaders use '갈등' to discuss team dynamics. If a team isn't performing well, they might investigate if there is '조직 내 갈등' (conflict within the organization). In this context, it's a professional way to address 'drama' or 'infighting' without sounding petty. You might hear a manager say, '갈등 관리가 중요합니다' (Conflict management is important).

In Literature and Education: In Korean literature classes, students learn about '외적 갈등' (external conflict) and '내적 갈등' (internal conflict). A character's '내적 갈등' is often analyzed to understand their motivations and the story's theme.

소설 속 주인공은 명예와 사랑 사이에서 갈등한다. (The protagonist in the novel is conflicted between honor and love.)

Finally, in daily life, you might hear a friend say '나 지금 갈등 중이야' when they are deciding whether to go to a party or stay home to rest. It’s a very common, slightly dramatic but widely accepted way to say 'I'm torn.' It shows that the word has moved from high-level academic Hanja into the everyday lexicon of modern Koreans, representing any situation where there is no easy, singular path forward.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using 갈등 when they actually mean a simple, active fight. If you saw two people shouting at each other on the street, you wouldn't necessarily call that '갈등' in the moment; you would call it '싸움' (ssau-m). '갈등' is the *underlying reason* or the *prolonged state* of that tension. Using '갈등' for a quick argument can sound overly formal or detached.

Confusing 갈등 with 싸움: Wrong: '어제 길에서 두 남자가 갈등하고 있었어요.' (Two men were 'conflicting' on the street.)
Better: '어제 길에서 두 남자가 싸우고 있었어요.' (Two men were fighting on the street.)

그들은 사소한 오해로 갈등이 생겼지만, 싸우지는 않았습니다. (They had a conflict due to a minor misunderstanding, but they didn't fight.)

Another mistake is with the verb particles. Learners often try to use '갈등하다' as a direct transitive verb like 'I conflict him.' In Korean, you must use '와/과' (with) or '사이의' (between). You don't '갈등' someone; you 'experience conflict *with*' someone. Also, '갈등하다' is mostly used for *internal* dilemmas. For external conflicts, we usually say '갈등을 겪다' or '갈등이 있다'.

Misusing '갈등하다' for external fights: '갈등하다' is best reserved for when you are torn between two choices. For example, '살까 말까 갈등하고 있어' (I'm conflicted about whether to buy it or not).

유학을 갈지 말지 갈등 중입니다. (I am in a state of conflict/dilemma about whether to study abroad or not.)

Finally, be careful with the intensity. '갈등' is a serious word. If you use it for very trivial things, like not knowing which socks to wear, it might sound like you're being overly dramatic or poetic unless you're using it ironically. For simple choices, '고민' (go-min - worry/thought) is usually a better fit. '갈등' implies a deeper, more painful struggle of interests or values.

갈등 vs. 고민: '고민' is a general worry or consideration. '갈등' is a clash of opposing forces. Use '고민' for 'What should I eat?' and '갈등' for 'Should I follow my dream or my parents' wishes?'

To broaden your Korean vocabulary, it's helpful to look at words that occupy the same semantic space as 갈등. Depending on the context, you might want to use a word that is more specific about the nature of the disagreement. A common alternative is 마찰 (Ma-chal), which literally means 'friction.' Just as in physics, '마찰' in social terms describes the heat and resistance created when two different entities rub against each other.

마찰 (Friction): Comparison: '갈등' is the tangled state; '마찰' is the abrasive interaction. '마찰' is often used for small, frequent disagreements in a workplace or between neighbors.

두 부서 간에 업무 협조 문제로 마찰이 생겼다. (Friction arose between the two departments over work cooperation issues.)

Another important word is 대립 (Dae-rip), which means 'opposition' or 'confrontation.' While '갈등' is tangled and messy, '대립' is more about two sides standing firmly against each other, like two walls. It is used when two groups have clearly defined, opposing viewpoints that they are unwilling to change. This is very common in politics ('여야 대립').

대립 (Opposition): Comparison: '갈등' focuses on the emotional or complex entanglement; '대립' focuses on the structural or ideological 'standoff'.

찬성 측과 반대 측의 대립이 팽팽합니다. (The opposition between the pros and the cons is tense/evenly matched.)

For a more physical or violent clash, the word 충돌 (Chung-dol) is used. It means 'collision.' It can be used for a car crash, but also for a 'clash' of opinions that results in a sudden, sharp argument or physical altercation. If '갈등' is a slow-burning tension, '충돌' is the explosive moment when that tension boils over.

불화 (Discord/Disharmony): Comparison: '불화' specifically refers to the lack of harmony in a relationship, especially within a family or a group. It’s less about the 'knot' and more about the 'broken bond'.

Finally, when you want to talk about a 'dilemma' in a casual way, use 딜레마 (Dilemma). Koreans use the English loanword '딜레마' frequently in modern conversation, especially when talking about personal choices where both options have downsides. While '갈등' is more formal and Hanja-based, '딜레마' is trendy and specific to decision-making.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Arrowroot vines always twist to the left, while wisteria vines always twist to the right. When they meet, they form a knot that is biologically impossible to naturally untangle without one dying or being cut.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡal.dɯŋ/

US /ɡal.dɯŋ/

Both syllables receive equal stress in Korean, though the first syllable might sound slightly higher in pitch.

Rhymes With

평등 (pyeong-deung) 부동 (bu-dong) 우등 (u-deung) 합동 (hap-dong) 전등 (jeon-deung) 고등 (go-deung) 운동 (un-dong) 감동 (gam-dong)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eu' as 'u' (gal-dung).
Pronouncing the 'l' too strongly like an English 'L' at the end of a word.
Aspirating the 'd' in 'deung' to sound like 't' (gal-teung).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news and literature; Hanja roots make it slightly difficult for beginners.

Writing 5/5

Requires knowledge of specific verb collocations like '빚다' or '겪다'.

Speaking 3/5

Used frequently in daily life for dilemmas, making it accessible with practice.

Listening 4/5

Frequent in dramas and news; context helps in understanding the type of conflict.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

싸우다 문제 생각 다르다 사이

Learn Next

조정 중재 해소 대립 마찰

Advanced

변증법 이데올로기 양상 첨예하다 봉합

Grammar to Know

~와/과 (with)

친구와 갈등이 생겼다.

~ 사이의 (between)

우리 사이의 갈등을 풀고 싶어.

~기 위해 (in order to)

갈등을 해소하기 위해 대화했다.

~ㄹ지 (whether to)

갈지 말지 갈등 중이다.

~ 때문에 (because of)

돈 때문에 갈등이 생겼다.

Examples by Level

친구와 갈등이 있어요.

I have a conflict with a friend.

갈등 (noun) + 이 (subject marker) + 있어요 (exist/have).

그들은 갈등이 없어요.

They have no conflict.

갈등 + 이 + 없어요 (does not exist/not have).

엄마와 갈등이 생겼어요.

A conflict arose with my mom.

생겼어요 (arose/was created) is the past tense of 생기다.

작은 갈등이에요.

It is a small conflict.

작은 (small) modifies the noun 갈등.

갈등은 나빠요.

Conflict is bad.

Topic marker '은' is used to make a general statement.

우리는 갈등을 풀어요.

We solve the conflict.

풀어요 (untie/solve) is the object-verb pair.

선생님과 갈등이 있었어요.

I had a conflict with the teacher.

Past tense '있었어요' (there was).

이것은 내적 갈등이에요.

This is an internal conflict.

내적 (internal) describes the type of conflict.

부모님과의 갈등이 심해요.

The conflict with my parents is severe.

심해요 (is severe) describes the intensity.

갈등을 해결하고 싶어요.

I want to resolve the conflict.

-고 싶어요 (want to) attached to the verb 해결하다.

두 사람 사이에 갈등이 느껴져요.

I can feel the conflict between the two people.

느껴져요 (is felt) is the passive form of 느끼다.

우리는 대화로 갈등을 줄였어요.

We reduced the conflict through conversation.

~로 (by means of) indicates the method.

그 영화는 갈등이 많아요.

That movie has a lot of conflict.

많아요 (is many/a lot) describes the quantity.

돈 때문에 갈등이 생기기도 해요.

Conflicts also arise because of money.

때문에 (because of) indicates the cause.

갈등이 생기면 바로 말하세요.

If a conflict arises, please say so immediately.

-(으)면 (if) creates a conditional sentence.

형과 갈등을 겪고 있어요.

I am experiencing conflict with my older brother.

-고 있어요 (am doing) indicates a continuous state.

세대 간의 갈등은 어느 사회에나 존재합니다.

Generational conflict exists in any society.

존재합니다 (exists) is a formal verb.

어떤 선택을 할지 내적 갈등이 심해요.

I have severe internal conflict over which choice to make.

-ㄹ지 (whether to) indicates uncertainty.

그의 말은 불필요한 갈등을 일으켰다.

His words caused unnecessary conflict.

일으켰다 (caused/triggered) is a common verb for conflict.

갈등을 해소하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.

I am making an effort to resolve the conflict.

-기 위해 (in order to) shows purpose.

동료와의 갈등 때문에 스트레스를 받아요.

I get stressed because of conflict with my colleague.

스트레스를 받다 (to receive stress/be stressed).

이 소설의 주된 갈등은 무엇인가요?

What is the main conflict of this novel?

주된 (main/primary) modifies 갈등.

서로의 차이를 인정하면 갈등이 줄어듭니다.

If you acknowledge each other's differences, conflict decreases.

줄어듭니다 (decreases) is the result.

그들은 갈등을 피하려고 노력합니다.

They try to avoid conflict.

-려고 노력하다 (try to/make an effort to).

노사 갈등이 장기화되면서 생산에 차질이 생겼다.

As the labor-management conflict became prolonged, production was disrupted.

장기화되다 (to become long-term/prolonged).

정책 변화가 주민들 사이에 갈등을 빚고 있다.

Policy changes are causing conflict among residents.

빚고 있다 (is brewing/causing) is a high-level collocation.

그는 이성적 판단과 감정 사이에서 갈등했다.

He was conflicted between rational judgment and emotion.

갈등했다 (was conflicted) used as a verb here.

갈등의 골이 깊어지기 전에 대화가 필요하다.

Conversation is needed before the valley of conflict deepens.

갈등의 골 (valley/abyss of conflict) is a common metaphor.

문화적 차이가 갈등의 원인이 되기도 합니다.

Cultural differences sometimes become the cause of conflict.

원인이 되다 (to become the cause).

정부는 갈등 조정 전문가를 투입하기로 했다.

The government decided to bring in conflict mediation experts.

조정 (adjustment/mediation) + 전문가 (expert).

그 사건은 사회적 갈등을 촉발하는 계기가 되었다.

That incident became the trigger for social conflict.

촉발하다 (to trigger/spark).

갈등 상황에서 평정심을 유지하는 것이 중요하다.

It is important to maintain composure in a conflict situation.

평정심 (composure/peace of mind).

이데올로기의 대립은 극심한 갈등을 초래했습니다.

The opposition of ideologies brought about extreme conflict.

초래했다 (brought about/resulted in) is very formal.

그녀는 커리어와 가정 사이의 갈등을 소설에 담았다.

She captured the conflict between career and family in her novel.

담았다 (contained/captured) in a creative context.

갈등 해소의 실마리를 찾는 것이 급선무입니다.

Finding a clue to resolve the conflict is the urgent priority.

급선무 (urgent task/first priority).

이익 집단 간의 갈등이 첨예하게 대립하고 있다.

Conflicts between interest groups are sharply opposing each other.

첨예하게 (sharply/acutely).

조직 내의 잠재적 갈등이 폭발하기 직전이다.

Potential conflicts within the organization are on the verge of exploding.

잠재적 (potential/latent) + 직전 (just before).

그 영화는 인간 내면의 모순과 갈등을 치밀하게 묘사한다.

The movie meticulously depicts the contradictions and conflicts within the human inner self.

치밀하게 (meticulously/thoroughly).

갈등은 때로 사회 발전의 원동력이 되기도 한다.

Conflict sometimes becomes the driving force of social development.

원동력 (driving force/impetus).

외교적 갈등이 경제 보복으로 이어질 가능성이 크다.

There is a high possibility that diplomatic conflict will lead to economic retaliation.

이어질 가능성 (possibility of leading to).

갈등의 양상은 시대의 흐름에 따라 변화해 왔습니다.

The aspects of conflict have changed according to the flow of the times.

양상 (aspect/appearance) refers to the way something manifests.

그 철학자는 갈등을 변증법적 발전의 필수 요소로 보았다.

The philosopher viewed conflict as an essential element of dialectical development.

변증법적 (dialectical).

현대 사회의 갈등은 다층적이고 복합적인 성격을 띤다.

Conflicts in modern society take on a multi-layered and complex character.

성격을 띠다 (to take on a character/trait).

갈등의 중재자로서 중립을 지키는 것은 매우 난해한 과제다.

Maintaining neutrality as a mediator of conflict is a very difficult task.

난해한 (difficult/abstruse) + 과제 (task/assignment).

전통과 현대의 갈등은 문학에서 끊임없이 변주되는 테마이다.

The conflict between tradition and modernity is a theme constantly varied in literature.

변주되는 (being varied/reinterpreted).

심리적 갈등이 극에 달했을 때 인간은 진정한 자아를 발견한다.

When psychological conflict reaches its peak, humans discover their true selves.

극에 달하다 (to reach the limit/peak).

갈등의 원만한 해결은 상호 신뢰와 양보를 전제로 한다.

The smooth resolution of conflict presupposes mutual trust and concession.

전제로 한다 (to presuppose/take as a premise).

그의 연설은 국가적 갈등을 봉합하려는 의지를 담고 있었다.

His speech contained the will to sew up (resolve) national conflict.

봉합하다 (to suture/sew up/close a gap).

Synonyms

충돌 대립 마찰 불화 쟁의

Antonyms

화합 조화 일치

Common Collocations

갈등을 겪다

갈등을 빚다

갈등을 해소하다

내적 갈등

세대 갈등

갈등이 심화되다

갈등이 고조되다

갈등의 골

갈등을 중재하다

노사 갈등

Common Phrases

갈등 중이다

— Currently torn between options or in a state of disagreement.

퇴사를 할지 말지 갈등 중이에요.

갈등을 일으키다

— To trigger or start a conflict.

그의 무책임한 행동이 갈등을 일으켰다.

갈등을 잠재우다

— To calm or suppress a conflict.

리더는 팀원들의 갈등을 잠재우기 위해 노력했다.

갈등의 씨앗

— The root cause or 'seed' of a future conflict.

작은 거짓말이 갈등의 씨앗이 되었다.

갈등을 조장하다

— To encourage or foment conflict (usually negative).

일부 언론이 지역 갈등을 조장하고 있다.

갈등을 관리하다

— To manage and handle conflict professionally.

조직에서는 갈등을 관리하는 능력이 중요하다.

갈등 관계

— A relationship defined by conflict.

두 나라는 오랜 기간 갈등 관계에 있었다.

갈등 구조

— The structural setup of a conflict in a story or society.

이 드라마의 갈등 구조는 매우 탄탄하다.

갈등 양상

— The aspect or appearance of how a conflict manifests.

갈등 양상이 복잡하게 전개되고 있다.

갈등 해결사

— A person who is good at resolving conflicts.

그는 우리 팀의 갈등 해결사 역할을 한다.

Often Confused With

갈등 vs 싸움

Ssau-m is an active fight or argument; Gal-deung is the state of tension or dilemma.

갈등 vs 고민

Go-min is general worry or thinking; Gal-deung is a clash of opposing choices or interests.

갈등 vs 문제

Mun-je is a general problem; Gal-deung is specifically a human or ideological conflict.

Idioms & Expressions

"갈등의 실타래를 풀다"

— To unravel the 'tangled ball of thread' that is conflict.

드디어 두 사람 사이의 갈등의 실타래를 풀었다.

Literary

"갈등의 골이 깊다"

— The 'valley' of conflict is deep, meaning the disagreement is long-standing and severe.

가족 간의 갈등의 골이 너무 깊어 화해가 쉽지 않다.

Neutral

"갈등의 불씨를 지피다"

— To light the 'fire' of conflict.

그의 발언은 해묵은 갈등의 불씨를 지폈다.

Neutral/News

"갈등을 봉합하다"

— To 'suture' or temporarily fix a conflict without necessarily solving the root cause.

일단은 급한 대로 갈등을 봉합하기로 합의했다.

Formal/News

"갈등의 소용돌이"

— A 'whirlpool' of conflict that sucks people in.

그는 의도치 않게 정치적 갈등의 소용돌이에 휘말렸다.

Literary

"갈등이 폭발하다"

— Conflict 'explodes' after being suppressed for a long time.

쌓였던 불만이 터지면서 갈등이 폭발했다.

Neutral

"갈등의 늪에 빠지다"

— To fall into a 'swamp' of conflict where it is hard to get out.

회사는 끝없는 갈등의 늪에 빠져 허우적거리고 있다.

Literary

"갈등을 정면으로 돌파하다"

— To face a conflict head-on and break through it.

우리는 갈등을 정면으로 돌파하기 위해 끝장 토론을 벌였다.

Neutral

"갈등의 날을 세우다"

— To sharpen the 'blade' of conflict; to become very hostile.

두 후보는 토론회에서 갈등의 날을 세웠다.

News

"갈등을 등에 지다"

— To carry conflict on one's back (to be burdened by it).

그는 무거운 갈등을 등에 지고 집을 나섰다.

Literary

Easily Confused

갈등 vs 번뇌

Both involve mental struggle.

번뇌 is more about spiritual or religious suffering (Buddhist), while 갈등 is social or psychological.

그는 속세의 번뇌를 끊고 절로 들어갔다.

갈등 vs 마찰

Both describe disagreement.

마찰 is like physical 'friction' between groups; 갈등 is more 'tangled' and emotional.

두 나라 사이에 무역 마찰이 생겼다.

갈등 vs 충돌

Both describe a clash.

충돌 is a sudden 'crash'; 갈등 can be a long-term state.

시위대와 경찰이 충돌했다.

갈등 vs 대립

Both describe opposition.

대립 is a structural 'standoff'; 갈등 is the messy emotional state.

보수와 진보의 대립이 심하다.

갈등 vs 불화

Both describe bad relationships.

불화 is specifically the lack of 'harmony' (broken peace).

그 집은 부부 불화가 심하다.

Sentence Patterns

[Person]와/과 갈등이 있어요.

언니와 갈등이 있어요.

[Action]을/를 할지 말지 갈등 중이에요.

공부를 할지 말지 갈등 중이에요.

대화로 갈등을 해소하다.

우리는 대화로 갈등을 해소했다.

[Cause] 때문에 갈등을 겪고 있다.

성격 차이 때문에 갈등을 겪고 있다.

[Event]가 갈등을 빚고 있다.

새 법안이 갈등을 빚고 있다.

갈등의 골이 깊어지다.

오랜 오해로 갈등의 골이 깊어졌다.

내적 갈등을 묘사하다.

작가는 주인공의 내적 갈등을 묘사했다.

갈등을 변증법적으로 지양하다.

사회적 갈등을 변증법적으로 지양해야 한다.

Word Family

Nouns

갈등론 (Conflict theory)

갈등주의 (Conflictualism)

Verbs

갈등하다 (To be conflicted/struggle internally)

Adjectives

갈등적 (Conflict-oriented/Conflictual)

싸움

대립

마찰

고민

번뇌

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Korean.

Common Mistakes

Using '갈등하다' with an object (e.g., 친구를 갈등하다). → 친구와 갈등이 있다.
Gal-deung is not a transitive action you do to someone. It is a state you share with someone.
Using '갈등' for a physical car accident. → 충돌 (Chung-dol).
While '갈등' means conflict, it is for ideas and feelings. '충돌' is for physical collisions.
Confusing '고민' and '갈등' for simple choices. → 고민 (Go-min).
If you are just thinking about what to eat, '고민' is better. '갈등' implies a more painful struggle between two good/bad choices.
Saying '갈등을 만들다' in a formal report. → 갈등을 빚다.
'만들다' is okay, but '빚다' is the high-level collocation used in professional and news contexts.
Pronouncing '갈등' as '갈동'. → 갈등 (Gal-deung).
The 'eu' (ㅡ) sound is very different from 'o' (ㅗ). Make sure your mouth is flat, not rounded.

Tips

Learn Hanja Roots

Knowing that 'Gal' and 'Deung' are vines will help you remember why the word implies such a complex, messy situation. It’s not just a fight; it’s a tangle.

Internal vs. External

Always decide if the conflict is inside someone (내적) or between people (외적). This helps you choose the right context and supporting words.

Verb Choice

Use '겪다' for the person suffering through it and '빚다' for the person or event that caused it. This distinction is key for B2+ level fluency.

Drama Tropes

When watching K-dramas, look for '고부 갈등'. It’s the most famous cultural application of the word and will help you see it in action.

Formal Writing

In essays, use '갈등 해소' instead of '싸움 해결'. It sounds much more academic and sophisticated.

Softening Indecision

Use '갈등 중이에요' to politely explain why you haven't made a decision yet. It sounds like you are thinking deeply rather than just being flaky.

News Keywords

In news, '갈등' is often followed by '양상' (aspect) or '국면' (phase). These help describe how the conflict looks right now.

Vine Metaphor

Imagine trying to pull apart two vines. If you pull too hard, they break. This is why '갈등 해소' (resolution) is seen as a delicate process in Korea.

Choose Wisely

If it's just a small argument, stick to '싸움'. If it's a deep-seated issue, use '갈등'. Using '갈등' for a tiny spat can sound sarcastic.

Daily Journal

Write one sentence every day about a '내적 갈등' you had. 'Should I wake up now or sleep 10 more minutes?' is a great start!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'GAL' as 'Grapes' (vines) and 'DEUNG' as 'Doing' something wrong. When vines are doing something wrong, they get tangled in a GAL-DEUNG.

Visual Association

Imagine a left-twisting green vine and a right-twisting purple vine knotted together so tightly you can't see where they start or end.

Word Web

Relationship Dilemma Vines Knot Tension Resolution Hanja Drama

Challenge

Try to use '갈등' in a sentence about a character in a movie you recently watched. Explain what their internal or external struggle was.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 葛 (Arrowroot) and 藤 (Wisteria). These two climbing plants are famous for their intertwining growth patterns.

Original meaning: The state of arrowroot and wisteria vines being tangled together.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing '갈등' in a workplace; it is better to focus on '갈등 해소' (resolution) rather than just pointing out the conflict itself.

English speakers might use 'conflict' or 'clash,' but '갈등' specifically evokes the image of being 'tangled,' which is more similar to saying 'at loggerheads' or 'a knotty problem.'

The 'Conflict Theory' in Korean sociology textbooks. The plot of the movie 'Parasite' (class conflict). K-drama titles that often revolve around family discord.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace

부서 간의 갈등
갈등 관리 교육
업무적 갈등
갈등을 중재하다

Family

고부 갈등
부모 자식 간의 갈등
가족 내 갈등
갈등을 풀다

News/Politics

여야 갈등
국제적 갈등
갈등이 고조되다
갈등을 빚다

Psychology

내적 갈등
자아 갈등
심리적 갈등
갈등 상태

Literature

갈등 구조
인물 간의 갈등
갈등의 전개
비극적 갈등

Conversation Starters

"최근에 친구나 가족과 갈등을 겪은 적이 있나요?"

"내적 갈등이 생길 때 어떻게 해결하는 편이에요?"

"한국 드라마에서 가장 흔한 갈등은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"

"세대 갈등을 줄이기 위해 가장 중요한 것은 무엇일까요?"

"일과 휴식 사이에서 갈등할 때 어떤 선택을 하시나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루 동안 겪었던 작은 내적 갈등에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about a small internal conflict you had today.)

살면서 가장 해결하기 힘들었던 갈등은 무엇이었나요? (What was the hardest conflict to resolve in your life?)

갈등이 항상 나쁜 것이라고 생각하나요? 그 이유를 설명해 보세요. (Do you think conflict is always bad? Explain why.)

자신만의 갈등 해소 방법 세 가지를 적어 보세요. (Write down three of your own ways to resolve conflict.)

만약 내가 갈등 조정 전문가라면, 싸우는 두 친구에게 어떤 조언을 해줄까요? (If you were a conflict mediator, what advice would you give two fighting friends?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can say '무슨 영화 볼지 갈등 중이야' in a casual way, but it sounds slightly more dramatic than '고민 중이야'. It’s very common among young people.

For interpersonal issues, '갈등을 겪다' (experience) or '갈등이 있다' (have) are most natural. For news, '갈등을 빚다' (cause) is standard.

Usually, '갈등하다' is used for an individual's internal struggle (I am conflicted). For groups, we say '갈등이 있다' or '대립하다'.

'갈등을 해소하다' is the most formal and common way in professional settings.

It literally means 'the valley/ravine of conflict.' It describes a situation where the conflict is so deep and long-standing that it feels like an unbridgeable gap.

Mostly yes, but in literature and sociology, it is seen as a necessary force for plot development and social change.

Not usually for the game itself (that's '경기' or '대결'), but it can be used for '갈등' between teammates or a coach and player.

'내적' is inside your mind (dilemma); '외적' is between you and someone else or society.

갈 (Gal) - 칡 (arrowroot), 등 (Deung) - 등나무 (wisteria). Together they mean 'tangled vines'.

People sometimes say '갈등 때리다' to mean they are really struggling with a choice.