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Vocabulary
서술하다

B1 verb #6,500 most common 9 min read

서술하다

seosulhada Top 6,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 서술하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 서술하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '서술하다' is quite a difficult word. You don't need to use it yourself yet! Most A1 learners use '말하다' (to speak) or '쓰다' (to write). However, you might see it in very simple test instructions. Just remember that if you see '서술하세요' on a piece of paper, the teacher wants you to write a full sentence. Think of it as 'Write a story' or 'Tell me the facts.' For example, if a picture shows a boy eating an apple, '서술하다' means writing: 'The boy is eating a red apple.' It is about putting words together in a row to tell what is happening. Even though it is a big word, at this level, it just means 'to write down the facts.' Don't worry about the formal feeling of the word yet; just know it's a 'writing' word.

At the A2 level, you begin to distinguish between simple talking and more organized writing. '서술하다' is a word you will see in your Korean textbooks. When the textbook says '그림의 내용을 서술해 보세요' (Try to describe the content of the picture), it is asking you to go beyond just naming objects. You should use connectors like '그리고' (and) or '그래서' (so) to make a small story. At this level, you should know that '서술하다' is more formal than '말하다.' You use '말하다' with your friends, but you see '서술하다' in books. It helps you understand that Korean has different words for the same action depending on how formal the situation is. You might start noticing this word in the news or in simple articles about history or daily life in Korea.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand and occasionally use '서술하다' in formal writing, such as essays or reports. This is the level where you start to differentiate it from '설명하다' (to explain) and '묘사하다' (to describe/depict). You should use '서술하다' when you are providing a chronological account of an event or a logical sequence of thoughts. For instance, in a TOPIK II writing task, you might be asked to '서술' the changes in a graph over ten years. You are not just 'explaining why' (설명), but 'stating what happened' (서술) in order. You should also be comfortable with the passive form '서술되다,' which is very common in reading passages about social issues or literature. Understanding this word helps you transition from 'conversational Korean' to 'academic/professional Korean.'

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances of '서술하다.' You understand that it implies a structured, often objective, narrative. You can use it to discuss literary techniques, such as '서술 관점' (narrative point of view) or '서술자의 태도' (the narrator's attitude). You are aware that this word is preferred in professional reports, news reporting, and academic papers to give a sense of authority and objectivity. When writing an argumentative essay, you might '서술' the current situation before presenting your '주장' (argument). You also recognize the difference between '서술' and '기술' (technical description), knowing that '기술' is more for data and '서술' is more for prose and narrative flow. Your vocabulary is now sophisticated enough to choose '서술하다' when you want to sound precise and formal.

At the C1 level, '서술하다' is a fundamental tool in your linguistic arsenal. You use it fluently to analyze complex texts and to structure your own high-level writing. You can discuss the '서술적 특징' (narrative characteristics) of a novel or the '서술 방식' (narrative method) used in a historical document. You understand how the choice of '서술' affects the reader's perception—for example, how a 'dry narration' (건조한 서술) creates a different atmosphere than a 'detailed narration' (상세한 서술). You are also familiar with related academic terms like '서술어' (predicate) in linguistics and '서술형 평가' (descriptive assessment) in education. You can use the word in abstract contexts, such as describing the 'narrative of a nation' or the 'narration of one's life journey,' showing a deep understanding of its metaphorical possibilities.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native intuition for '서술하다.' You can critically evaluate the '서술의 객관성' (objectivity of narration) in complex legal or philosophical texts. You might engage in debates about how history is '서술' and how that '서술' shapes identity and power structures. You understand the subtle play between '서술' (narration) and '담론' (discourse). In your own writing, you use '서술하다' and its derivatives with absolute precision, choosing them over synonyms to convey specific levels of formality, objectivity, or literary intent. You are comfortable using the word in its most advanced forms, such as analyzing the '서술적 자아' (narrative self) in psychological studies or the '서술의 층위' (layers of narration) in postmodern literature. The word is no longer just a verb to you; it is a concept that defines how information and stories are structured in the Korean language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

서술하다 in 30 Seconds

서술하다 means to narrate or describe facts and events in an organized, sequential way.
It is a formal verb, primarily used in writing, exams, news, and academic papers.
It differs from 'explain' (설명) by focusing on the 'what' and 'order' rather than the 'why'.
Commonly paired with adverbs like 'detailedly' (상세히) or 'objectively' (객관적으로).

The Korean verb 서술하다 (seosul-hada) is a cornerstone of formal communication, academic writing, and literary analysis. At its core, it refers to the act of stating, describing, or narrating facts, events, or thoughts in a structured and sequential manner. Unlike simple everyday verbs for speaking, such as '말하다' (to talk), '서술하다' implies a level of organization and objectivity, often associated with the written word or formal testimony. When you use this word, you are not just chatting; you are laying out a narrative or a series of facts so that someone else can follow the logic or the timeline of what occurred. It is frequently encountered in the instructions of the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam, specifically in the writing section where students are asked to 'describe the graph' or 'narrate the changes' in a specific phenomenon.

Formal Context: In legal or academic settings, it means to provide a detailed account of events without necessarily adding personal bias, focusing on the chronological or logical flow.
Literary Context: In literature, it refers to the narrator's act of telling the story, describing the setting, and detailing the characters' actions and internal monologues.
Objective Reporting: Journalists and researchers use this term when they are presenting findings or reporting on an incident in a step-by-step fashion.

작가는 주인공의 어린 시절을 아주 상세하게 서술하고 있습니다. (The author is describing the protagonist's childhood in great detail.)

Understanding '서술하다' requires recognizing its Hanja roots: 敍 (차례 서 - order/rank) and 述 (차례 술 - to state/narrate). Combined, they literally mean 'to state in order.' This distinguishes it from '묘사하다' (to describe/depict), which focuses more on sensory details and imagery—like painting a picture with words—whereas '서술하다' is more about the progression of events or ideas. If you are writing a history book, you '서술' the events of the war. If you are writing a poem about the beauty of the battlefield, you might '묘사' the scene instead.

이 보고서는 실험 과정을 객관적인 관점에서 서술해야 합니다. (This report must describe the experimental process from an objective perspective.)

In contemporary Korean society, you will find this word in textbooks, news articles, and professional documents. It is rarely used in casual spoken conversation between friends (where '말하다' or '얘기하다' would be used), but it is essential for anyone aiming for a professional or academic level of Korean proficiency. When a teacher asks a student to '서술형' (narrative/descriptive type) answer, they expect a full sentence or paragraph explaining the logic, rather than a simple multiple-choice selection.

역사는 승자의 기록에 의해 서술되는 경우가 많습니다. (History is often narrated by the records of the victors.)

자신의 의견을 논리적으로 서술해 보세요. (Try to state your opinion logically.)

Using 서술하다 correctly involves understanding its syntactic requirements. As a transitive verb, it typically requires a direct object marked by -을/를. This object is usually the 'what' that is being described: a fact (사실), a situation (상황), a process (과정), or a story (이야기). Because it is a formal word, it is most often used with the formal polite ending -습니다 or the plain style -ㄴ다/다 used in writing.

Common Object Pairings: 사실을 서술하다 (to state facts), 사건을 서술하다 (to narrate an event), 심리를 서술하다 (to describe psychology/state of mind), 과정을 서술하다 (to describe a process).

One of the most important aspects of using this verb is the adverbial support it often receives. Since '서술하다' is about *how* something is told, it is frequently paired with adverbs like '상세히' (in detail), '객관적으로' (objectively), '논리적으로' (logically), or '간략하게' (briefly). These modifiers help define the quality of the narration.

증인은 사고 당시의 상황을 아주 상세하게 서술했다. (The witness described the situation at the time of the accident very detailedly.)

In passive contexts, the form 서술되다 is used. This is extremely common in academic writing when discussing how a certain topic is treated in literature or history. For example, '이 문제는 교과서에서 비중 있게 서술되고 있다' (This issue is being described with significant weight in textbooks). This shift from active to passive allows the focus to remain on the subject matter rather than the author.

그의 업적은 역사책에 서술되어 있다. (His achievements are narrated in history books.)

Furthermore, '서술하다' can be used to describe internal states in fiction. When a writer explains what a character is thinking or feeling in a narrative way, '서술하다' is the appropriate term. This is different from '표현하다' (to express), which might imply a more artistic or outward display. '서술' is the structural backbone of the storytelling.

소설가는 주인공의 복잡한 내면을 담담하게 서술한다. (The novelist calmly narrates the protagonist's complex inner self.)

다음 질문에 대해 300자 내외로 서술하시오. (Please describe/write about the following question in about 300 characters.)

While you might not hear '서술하다' while buying apples at a traditional market, it is omnipresent in the 'intellectual' layers of Korean life. If you turn on the news, specifically during investigative reporting or legal segments, the anchor might say, '검찰은 공소장에서 범죄 사실을 다음과 같이 서술했습니다' (The prosecution described the facts of the crime in the indictment as follows). Here, the word lends an air of official authority and precision to the statement.

In the Classroom: Teachers use this word constantly when discussing literature. They might ask, '이 문단에서 서술자가 강조하는 바가 무엇입니까?' (What is the narrator emphasizing in this paragraph?). Here, '서술자' (narrator) is the noun form.
In Documentary Narration: Documentary scripts are essentially long '서술' (narrations). The voiceover is '서술하고 있다' (is narrating) the life of a wild animal or the history of a civilization.

Another very common place to see this word is in the instructions of standardized tests like the TOPIK, CSAT (Suneung), or university entrance exams. Instructions such as '자신의 견해를 서술하시오' (State/describe your opinion) are standard. In these contexts, the word signals to the student that they need to provide a logical, well-organized response rather than a fragmented one.

법정에서 증인은 그날의 일들을 차분하게 서술했다. (In court, the witness calmly narrated the events of that day.)

In the world of book reviews and literary criticism, '서술 방식' (narrative style) is a key term. Critics might discuss whether a book is '서술' in the first person or third person, or if the '서술' is reliable. This usage highlights the word's connection to the structure of storytelling. If a friend says a movie was good, they are just talking; if a critic '서술' the plot and themes, they are providing a professional analysis.

이 논문은 현대 사회의 문제점을 다각도로 서술하고 있다. (This thesis describes the problems of modern society from various angles.)

기사는 사건의 전개 과정을 시간 순서대로 서술했다. (The article narrated the progression of the incident in chronological order.)

매뉴얼은 조립 방법을 아주 쉽게 서술하고 있어서 이해하기 좋다. (The manual describes the assembly method very easily, so it's good for understanding.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 서술하다 is using it in too casual a context. Because English often translates '서술하다', '설명하다', and '묘사하다' all as 'describe,' it's easy to mix them up. However, in Korean, these nuances are distinct and using the wrong one can make your speech sound awkward or overly stiff.

Confusing with '설명하다' (Explain): '설명하다' is used when you want someone to *understand* a concept or why something happened. '서술하다' is just about *stating* the facts or the story. If you're explaining a math problem, use '설명하다'. If you're stating the steps you took to solve it in a report, use '서술하다'.
Confusing with '묘사하다' (Depict/Portray): '묘사하다' is sensory. It's for describing how something looks, smells, or feels. If you describe a beautiful sunset, you '묘사' it. If you '서술' a sunset, you might sound like a scientist recording the exact time and angle of the sun's descent.

Another mistake is forgetting that '서술하다' is strongly linked to the written word or formal speech. You wouldn't say to a friend, "어제 본 영화 내용을 나에게 서술해줘" (Narrate the movie content to me). This sounds like a police interrogation or a school assignment. Instead, use "말해줘" (tell me) or "얘기해줘" (talk to me about it).

❌ 어제 친구랑 뭐 했는지 서술해 봐.
✅ 어제 친구랑 뭐 했는지 말해 봐. (Tell me what you did with your friend yesterday.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the '서술형' (narrative type) concept. In a Korean context, if a test says '서술하시오', and you only write a few keywords or a list, you will lose points. '서술' requires full, grammatical sentences that flow together. It is a test of your ability to construct a coherent narrative or argument.

❌ 그림을 서술하다 (Incorrect if you mean 'to paint/draw' or 'vividly describe appearance')
✅ 그림의 역사적 배경을 서술하다 (Correct: To describe the historical background of the painting.)

❌ 그는 그녀의 외모를 서술했다.
✅ 그는 그녀의 외모를 묘사했다. (He described/depicted her appearance.)

To truly master 서술하다, you must see how it fits into the ecosystem of other 'describing' and 'stating' verbs in Korean. Each has a specific 'register' and 'flavor' that dictates when it should be used. Here is a comparison to help you choose the right word for the right situation.

서술하다 vs. 기술하다 (Describe/Record): '기술하다' (記述-) is even more formal and technical. It is often used for recording scientific data, technical specs, or historical records. While '서술' can have a narrative flow, '기술' is often about dry, precise recording.
서술하다 vs. 진술하다 (State/Testify): '진술하다' (陳述-) is the word for legal testimony. If you are in a police station or a courtroom, you '진술' your version of the truth. It implies a formal statement that has legal consequences.
서술하다 vs. 묘사하다 (Depict): As mentioned before, '묘사하다' is for 'painting a picture' with words. It focuses on the 'what it looks/feels like' rather than the 'what happened and in what order'.

In academic writing, you might also see 언급하다 (to mention). This is used when you briefly touch upon a topic without going into a full narrative. If you are writing a long section about a topic, you are '서술'ing it; if you just name-drop it, you are '언급'ing it.

역사가는 사건을 객관적으로 기술해야 한다. (A historian must record/describe events objectively.)

For creative writing, you might use 풀어내다 (to unravel/tell). This is a more poetic and native Korean way to say you are telling a story. It feels warmer and less academic than '서술하다'. For example, '할머니는 옛날 이야기를 재미있게 풀어내셨다' (Grandmother unraveled/told old stories interestingly).

피의자는 범행 동기를 솔직하게 진술했다. (The suspect honestly testified/stated the motive for the crime.)

이 소설은 작가의 경험을 바탕으로 서술되었습니다. (This novel was narrated based on the author's experience.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 述 (술) is also found in the word '예술' (art), but there it means 'skill' or 'method'. In '서술', it strictly refers to the act of stating or telling.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sʌ.sul.ɦa.da/

US /sʌ.sul.hɑ.dɑ/

Stress is generally even across syllables in Korean, but a slight emphasis may be placed on '술' to distinguish it from other '서' words.

Rhymes With

기술하다 (gisul-hada) 진술하다 (jinsul-hada) 복술하다 (boksul-hada) 상술하다 (sangsul-hada) 약술하다 (yaksul-hada) 강술하다 (gangsul-hada) 구술하다 (gusul-hada) 논술하다 (nonsul-hada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '술' as 'sul' like the English word 'soul'. It should be a shorter 'u' sound.
Omission of the 'h' sound in 'hada', making it sound like 'seosul-ada'. Keep the 'h' distinct.
Confusing '서술' with '소설' (novel). 'Seo' vs 'So' is a key distinction.
Over-emphasizing the 'r' sound in 'sul'. It should be a flap or a light 'l'.
Merging the syllables too quickly in formal speech.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and books, easy to recognize.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of formal sentence structures.

Speaking 5/5

Rarely used in daily speech; sounds stiff if used incorrectly.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, usually found in formal broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

말하다 쓰다 순서 사실 이야기

Learn Next

기술하다 진술하다 묘사하다 논술하다 상술하다

Advanced

담론 객관성 주관성 개입 구조

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Construction (~을/를 서술하다)

사실을 서술하다.

Passive Construction (~이/가 서술되다)

사건이 상세히 서술되었다.

Adverbial Modification (~게 서술하다)

자세하게 서술하다.

Formal Imperative (-시오)

다음 질문에 서술하시오.

Noun Modification (-는 서술)

사건을 서술하는 방식.

Examples by Level

이 책은 이야기를 서술합니다.

This book narrates a story.

Simple present tense with object marker.

그는 사실을 서술해요.

He states the facts.

Polite present tense.

선생님이 내용을 서술했습니다.

The teacher described the content.

Past tense.

우리는 사건을 서술해요.

We narrate the event.

Simple sentence structure.

그림을 보고 서술하세요.

Please describe looking at the picture.

Imperative form (-세요).

글을 서술하는 것은 재미있어요.

Narrating a text is fun.

Gerund form (-는 것).

짧게 서술해 주세요.

Please describe it briefly.

Request form (-어 주세요).

누가 이 이야기를 서술합니까?

Who narrates this story?

Interrogative form.

주인공의 성격을 서술해 보세요.

Try to describe the protagonist's personality.

Try doing something (-어 보다).

어제 있었던 일을 순서대로 서술했다.

I narrated what happened yesterday in order.

Plain style past tense.

작가는 배경을 아주 자세히 서술합니다.

The author describes the background very detailedly.

Adverbial usage (자세히).

이 보고서는 실험 결과를 서술해요.

This report describes the experimental results.

Formal subject (보고서).

자신의 꿈을 서술하는 숙제를 했다.

I did homework describing my dream.

Noun modifying clause (-는).

뉴스는 사고 현장을 서술하고 있다.

The news is describing the accident scene.

Present progressive (-고 있다).

역사적인 사실을 정확히 서술해야 합니다.

You must describe historical facts accurately.

Obligation form (-해야 하다).

그는 자신의 경험을 책에 서술했다.

He narrated his experience in a book.

Locative marker (-에).

이 소설은 1인칭 시점으로 서술되고 있다.

This novel is being narrated from a first-person perspective.

Passive progressive (서술되고 있다).

그래프의 변화 양상을 논리적으로 서술하시오.

Describe the pattern of changes in the graph logically.

Formal imperative (-시오).

증인은 범행 현장을 생생하게 서술했다.

The witness vividly described the crime scene.

Adverbial usage (생생하게).

이 장에서는 연구의 목적을 서술하겠습니다.

In this chapter, I will describe the purpose of the research.

Future/Intent (-겠습니다).

인물의 내면 심리를 서술하는 방식이 독특하다.

The way of describing the character's inner psychology is unique.

Noun phrase construction.

과거의 사건을 객관적으로 서술하기란 어렵다.

It is difficult to describe past events objectively.

Nominalization (-기란).

기사는 사건의 전개 과정을 상세히 서술하고 있다.

The article is describing the progression of the incident in detail.

Progressive form.

자신의 강점을 서술하여 제출하세요.

Describe your strengths and submit them.

Sequential action (-하여).

작가는 사회적 모순을 소설 속에 서술해 놓았다.

The author has described social contradictions within the novel.

Resultative state (-어 놓다).

이 논문은 현상을 다각도로 서술하고 있다는 점이 특징이다.

The characteristic of this thesis is that it describes the phenomenon from various angles.

Complex clause with '-는 점이 특징이다'.

역사는 승자의 관점에서 서술되기 마련이다.

History is bound to be narrated from the victor's perspective.

Natural tendency (-기 마련이다).

그의 일기는 당시의 생활상을 잘 서술해 준다.

His diary describes the lifestyle of that time well.

Benefactive form (-어 주다).

보고서의 서술 방식이 너무 주관적이라는 지적을 받았다.

The report was criticized for having a narrative style that is too subjective.

Indirect quotation (-는다는 지적).

복잡한 감정을 말로 서술하기에는 한계가 있다.

There are limits to describing complex emotions in words.

Limits of action (-기에는 한계가 있다).

이 문서는 계약 조건을 명확하게 서술하고 있습니다.

This document clearly describes the contract terms.

Adverbial usage (명확하게).

사건의 원인을 규명하고 이를 상세히 서술했다.

The cause of the incident was identified and described in detail.

Conjunction (-고).

서술자의 개입이 작품의 몰입도를 높여준다.

The intervention of the narrator increases the immersion of the work.

Noun form (서술자).

철학적 사유를 논리 정연하게 서술하는 것은 고도의 능력을 요한다.

Describing philosophical thoughts in a logically organized way requires high-level ability.

High-level vocabulary (논리 정연하게, 요하다).

이 책은 근대사를 민중의 시각에서 서술하려 시도했다.

This book attempted to narrate modern history from the perspective of the masses.

Attempting action (-하려 시도하다).

서술 내용의 진위 여부를 파악하는 것이 급선무이다.

Identifying the truth or falsehood of the narrated content is the first priority.

Abstract noun usage (진위 여부).

그녀의 수필은 일상의 소소함을 담담하게 서술하고 있다.

Her essay calmly narrates the small details of daily life.

Literary adverb (담담하게).

서술의 일관성이 부족하여 논문의 설득력이 떨어진다.

The lack of consistency in the narration reduces the persuasiveness of the thesis.

Causal relationship (-하여).

법전은 범죄의 구성 요건을 엄격하게 서술하고 있다.

The legal code strictly describes the constituent elements of a crime.

Legal context.

역사적 트라우마를 문학적으로 서술하는 방식에 대해 고찰해 보자.

Let's consider the ways of narrating historical trauma literarily.

Exhortative form (-해 보자).

서술의 주체와 객체 사이의 경계가 모호해지는 포스트모던 소설이다.

It is a postmodern novel where the boundary between the subject and object of narration becomes blurred.

Highly abstract terminology.

이 텍스트는 권력의 담론이 어떻게 서술을 통해 강화되는지 보여준다.

This text shows how the discourse of power is reinforced through narration.

Sociological context.

작가는 의식의 흐름 기법을 사용하여 내면을 파편적으로 서술한다.

The author narrates the inner self fragmentarily using the stream of consciousness technique.

Literary criticism terminology.

서술적 진실과 역사적 사실 사이의 괴리를 탐구한다.

It explores the gap between narrative truth and historical fact.

Philosophical inquiry.

비선형적 서술 구조는 독자에게 새로운 해석의 가능성을 열어준다.

The non-linear narrative structure opens up possibilities for new interpretations for the reader.

Complex noun phrases.

메타픽션적 서술은 소설 쓰기 자체에 대한 성찰을 담고 있다.

Metafictional narration contains reflections on the act of novel writing itself.

Self-referential language.

서술의 밀도가 높아질수록 독자의 사유는 깊어진다.

As the density of the narration increases, the reader's thinking deepens.

Proportional relationship (-ㄹ수록).

신화적 서술은 인간 존재의 근원적 공포를 형상화한다.

Mythical narration gives shape to the fundamental fears of human existence.

Existential context.

Synonyms

기술하다 설명하다 묘사하다 진술하다

Antonyms

생략하다 요약하다

Common Collocations

사실을 서술하다

상세히 서술하다

객관적으로 서술하다

사건을 서술하다

논리적으로 서술하다

심리를 서술하다

과정을 서술하다

간략하게 서술하다

서술 방식

서술 관점

Common Phrases

서술형 문제

— A descriptive or essay-type question in an exam.

이번 시험에는 서술형 문제가 많이 나왔다.

서술자

— The narrator of a story or text.

이 소설의 서술자는 어린아이이다.

서술어

— The predicate in grammar.

한국어 문장에서 서술어는 맨 뒤에 온다.

서술적 특징

— Narrative characteristics/features.

그 작가만의 독특한 서술적 특징이 있다.

서술 내용

— The content of the narration or description.

서술 내용이 사실과 다른 점이 발견되었다.

서술 범위

— The scope of the description.

이 책의 서술 범위는 조선 시대까지이다.

서술의 묘미

— The beauty or charm of the narration.

이 소설은 서술의 묘미가 살아 있다.

서술의 흐름

— The flow of the narration.

서술의 흐름이 자연스러워서 읽기 편하다.

서술 기법

— Narrative technique.

영화는 플래시백이라는 서술 기법을 사용했다.

서술을 마치다

— To finish narrating or describing.

그는 긴 서술을 마치고 펜을 놓았다.

Often Confused With

서술하다 vs 설명하다

Focuses on making someone understand (why/how); 서술하다 focuses on stating facts/story (what/order).

서술하다 vs 묘사하다

Focuses on sensory/visual details; 서술하다 focuses on narrative/logical flow.

서술하다 vs 기술하다

More technical and record-oriented; 서술하다 is more narrative and prose-oriented.

Idioms & Expressions

"입을 열어 서술하다"

— To start speaking and describing something formally after being silent.

그는 한참 만에 입을 열어 그날의 일을 서술했다.

Formal

"일목요연하게 서술하다"

— To describe something so clearly that it can be understood at a glance.

복잡한 상황을 일목요연하게 서술하는 능력이 뛰어나다.

Formal

"거침없이 서술하다"

— To describe or narrate without any hesitation or blockage.

작가는 막힘없이 이야기를 거침없이 서술해 나갔다.

Neutral

"낱낱이 서술하다"

— To describe every single detail without leaving anything out.

그는 자신의 잘못을 낱낱이 서술하며 사과했다.

Neutral

"담담하게 서술하다"

— To describe something calmly and without much emotional display.

슬픈 사건이었지만 기사는 이를 담담하게 서술했다.

Literary

"장황하게 서술하다"

— To describe something in a tediously long or wordy way.

그는 별로 중요하지 않은 일을 장황하게 서술했다.

Neutral

"조목조목 서술하다"

— To describe item by item or point by point.

그녀는 상대방의 주장에 대해 조목조목 반박하며 서술했다.

Formal

"생생하게 서술하다"

— To describe something so vividly that it feels real.

여행지는 마치 눈앞에 있는 것처럼 생생하게 서술되어 있다.

Neutral

"가감 없이 서술하다"

— To describe exactly as it is, without adding or subtracting anything.

보고서는 현장의 상황을 가감 없이 서술해야 한다.

Formal

"펜을 들어 서술하다"

— To take up a pen and start writing/narrating (literary expression).

그는 드디어 펜을 들어 자신의 일생을 서술하기 시작했다.

Literary

Easily Confused

서술하다 vs 진술하다

Both involve stating facts.

'진술하다' is specific to legal testimony or formal statements to authorities.

경찰 앞에서 사실을 진술했다.

서술하다 vs 구술하다

Both involve telling a story/facts.

'구술하다' specifically means to state something *orally* so someone else can write it down.

할아버지는 자서전 내용을 구술하셨다.

서술하다 vs 논술하다

Both involve writing/stating.

'논술하다' means to state an opinion or argument logically to persuade.

자신의 주장을 논술하다.

서술하다 vs 약술하다

Both involve describing.

'약술하다' means to describe *briefly* or summarize.

계획을 약술하다.

서술하다 vs 상술하다

Both involve describing.

'상술하다' means to describe in *great detail* (more specific than 서술하다).

내용을 상술하다.

Sentence Patterns

N을/를 서술합니다.

이야기를 서술합니다.

N을/를 상세히 서술하다.

사건을 상세히 서술하다.

N에 대해 서술하시오.

환경 문제에 대해 서술하시오.

N이/가 서술되고 있다.

심리가 서술되고 있다.

N을/를 바탕으로 서술하다.

사실을 바탕으로 서술하다.

N이라는 점을 서술하다.

위험하다는 점을 서술하다.

N적 관점에서 서술하다.

사회적 관점에서 서술하다.

N의 서술적 층위.

작품의 서술적 층위.

Word Family

Nouns

서술 narration, description

서술자 narrator

서술어 predicate

서술형 descriptive type/format

Verbs

서술되다 to be narrated/described

서술해나가다 to continue narrating

Adjectives

서술적 narrative, descriptive

기술 (description/record)

진술 (statement/testimony)

묘사 (depiction)

설명 (explanation)

문장 (sentence)

How to Use It

frequency

High in written/academic contexts; Low in daily spoken Korean.

Common Mistakes

Using '서술하다' in casual speech. → 말하다 / 얘기하다
It sounds too formal and stiff for everyday talk.
Using '서술하다' for visual descriptions. → 묘사하다
Visuals are 'depicted' (묘사), while events are 'narrated' (서술).
Writing fragments when asked to '서술하시오'. → Full sentences.
'서술' implies a complete and organized statement.
Confusing '서술하다' with '설명하다' in technical manuals. → 설명하다 (if teaching how to use) / 서술하다 (if describing the process).
If the goal is to explain how it works, '설명' is better.
Using '서술하다' when you just mean 'to write'. → 쓰다 / 작성하다
'서술' specifically means narrating or stating facts/events.

Tips

Use in Writing

Always use '서술하다' when writing formal reports or essays to sound more professional.

TOPIK Strategy

When you see '서술하시오', remember to write in the '다' style (plain form) and use full sentences.

Vs. Explain

Use '서술' for 'what happened' and '설명' for 'why it happened'.

Noun Form

Learn '서술' as a noun to understand phrases like '서술의 중요성' (importance of narration).

Legal Context

Be aware that in law, '진술' (testimony) is more common than '서술', but '서술' is used for the written report of that testimony.

Narrator

In literary analysis, always refer to the narrator as '서술자'.

Objectivity

'서술하다' usually implies an objective tone. If you are being very emotional, '표현하다' might be better.

Passive Form

Master '서술되다' to read academic papers effectively.

Power Couples

Memorize '상세히 서술하다' as a set phrase.

Literary Flair

Use '담담하게 서술하다' to describe a calm, minimalist writing style.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Seo' (서) as 'Sequence' and 'Sul' (술) as 'Story'. 서술하다 is telling a Story in a Sequence.

Visual Association

Imagine a scroll unrolling step by step, with each section containing a fact in a specific order.

Word Web

서술 (Narration) 순서 (Order) 사실 (Fact) 글쓰기 (Writing) 학업 (Academics) 객관성 (Objectivity) 문학 (Literature) 보고서 (Report)

Challenge

Try to '서술' your morning routine in exactly three formal Korean sentences using the word '서술하다' in the prompt.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja words 敍 (차례 서) meaning 'order' or 'rank' and 述 (차례 술) meaning 'to state' or 'to narrate'.

Original meaning: Literally 'to state in order' or 'to narrate sequentially'.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

When discussing historical '서술' (narration), be aware that it can be a politically charged topic regarding textbook accuracy and national history.

In English, 'describe' is a broad term. In Korean, '서술하다' is much more specific to narration and facts, while '묘사하다' covers the visual/sensory aspects of 'describe'.

TOPIK II Writing Section (Task 53 often requires '서술' of data). Korean Literary Criticism (analysis of '서술 시점' or point of view). Legal news (reporting of witness '진술' and '서술').

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Taking the TOPIK Exam

서술형 문제
그림을 보고 서술하시오
자신의 의견을 서술하다
그래프를 서술하다

Writing a Report

사실을 바탕으로 서술하다
객관적으로 서술하다
결과를 서술하다
과정을 상세히 서술하다

Legal/Official Situations

사건을 서술하다
진술을 서술하다
공소장에 서술되다
증거를 서술하다

Literary Analysis

서술자의 시점
내면을 서술하다
서술 방식
서술의 특징

History Class

역사를 서술하다
기록을 서술하다
연대순으로 서술하다
사료를 서술하다

Conversation Starters

"이 소설의 서술 방식에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"자신의 인생을 한 문장으로 서술한다면 무엇이라고 하시겠어요?"

"역사가 항상 객관적으로 서술될 수 있다고 믿으시나요?"

"시험에서 서술형 문제가 가장 어렵게 느껴지시나요?"

"뉴스 기사가 사건을 충분히 상세하게 서술하고 있다고 보십니까?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루 중 가장 인상 깊었던 일을 시간 순서대로 서술해 보세요.

자신이 가장 좋아하는 책의 줄거리를 객관적인 관점에서 서술해 보세요.

미래의 자신의 모습을 아주 상세하게 서술해 보세요.

한국어 공부를 시작하게 된 계기와 과정을 서술해 보세요.

우리 사회의 가장 큰 문제점 하나를 논리적으로 서술해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Primarily yes, but it can also refer to formal oral narration, such as in a courtroom or a documentary voiceover. In most everyday situations, however, it implies writing.

It is better to use '묘사하다' for physical appearance. Use '서술하다' to describe their life story or their actions in order.

It is an open-ended question that requires you to write an answer in full sentences, explaining your logic or describing a process, rather than picking a multiple-choice option.

No, it is very rare. Using it with friends might make you sound like a robot or a professor. Use '말하다' or '얘기하다' instead.

'서술' is more about narrative flow and prose, while '기술' is about technical, dry, and precise recording of data or facts.

Yes, if you are narrating a planned sequence of events in a proposal or a story set in the future.

No, the '서술자' is the narrator *within* the story. The author (작가) is the person who wrote the book. Sometimes they are the same, but often they are different.

You can say '서술 방식' or '서술 기법'.

No, '서술어' is strictly a linguistic term for 'predicate'.

Yes, especially in literature when describing a character's internal state in a narrative way.