선거
An election is a process where people vote to choose a leader or a government official.
Explanation at your level:
An election is when people vote. You choose a leader. It is very important for a country. You go to a place and put a paper in a box. This is how we pick our president.
An election is a way to choose a person for a job. For example, people vote for a mayor or a president. It happens every few years. Everyone has the right to vote in a fair election.
An election is a formal process where citizens cast ballots to select representatives. It is the core of democracy. Candidates campaign to tell people their plans. After the voting, the person with the most votes wins the position.
An election serves as the primary mechanism for political accountability. It involves complex stages like campaigning, debating, and finally, the casting of ballots. It is the moment when the public exercises its power to influence government policy and leadership.
The term election encompasses the entire spectrum of democratic participation. Beyond the act of voting, it involves the vetting of candidates, the dissemination of political platforms, and the institutional oversight required to maintain integrity. It is a critical juncture in the life of any democratic state.
An election is more than a procedural event; it is a profound expression of the social contract. It represents the collective will of the populace, distilled into a singular mandate for governance. Historically, the evolution of the election has tracked the expansion of civil rights and the empowerment of the electorate, moving from exclusive, restricted voting to universal suffrage.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 선거 means election.
- It is a formal process to choose leaders.
- It involves voting (투표).
- It is used in politics and school.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word 선거 (seon-geo). In English, we call this an election. It is one of the most important parts of living in a free society.
Think of it as a giant, organized way for a group of people to make a choice together. Instead of fighting or just letting one person decide everything, we use 선거 to let everyone have a say in who gets to be the leader.
Whether it's for a class president at school or the leader of a whole country, the goal is always the same: to pick the person that the majority of people trust the most. It is a fundamental democratic process that keeps things fair and orderly.
The word 선거 comes from the Chinese characters 選 (to choose/select) and 擧 (to lift/raise). Literally, it means 'to select and raise up' a person.
Historically, this concept evolved from ancient systems where people would literally raise their hands to show support for a candidate. Over centuries, this evolved from simple hand-raising to the complex, secret-ballot systems we use today.
It is fascinating to see how the linguistic roots reflect the physical action of choosing someone to 'lift up' to a position of power. This term has been used in Korea for a long time to describe the formal process of selection, bridging the gap between traditional community consensus and modern political systems.
You will hear 선거 used in many different contexts. It is a very common word in news, politics, and even casual conversation about school or club leadership.
Common phrases include 선거를 하다 (to hold an election) or 선거에 출마하다 (to run for office). You might also hear about 대통령 선거 (presidential election) or 지방 선거 (local election).
It is a formal, neutral word. You can use it in a serious political debate or when just chatting about who should be the captain of your sports team. It is versatile and widely understood by everyone.
While 선거 is a formal noun, it appears in several key expressions. 1. 선거철: The 'election season' when everyone is talking about voting. 2. 선거 유세: Campaigning, or the act of trying to convince people to vote for you. 3. 선거 공약: A campaign promise made by a candidate. 4. 선거권: The right to vote, also known as suffrage. 5. 선거 관리 위원회: The Election Commission, the group that makes sure the vote is fair.
In Korean, 선거 is a simple noun. It doesn't change form based on plural or singular, which makes it easy to use! You can attach particles like -가 (subject) or -를 (object) to it.
Pronunciation-wise, it sounds like 'sun-guh'. The 'eo' sound is like the 'u' in 'but' but with your lips slightly more rounded. It is a two-syllable word with equal stress on both parts.
Try to keep your tone neutral when saying it. It rhymes slightly with words like 'under' if you stretch the vowels, but focus on the crisp consonant sounds for clarity.
Fun Fact
The characters literally imply lifting someone up to a high position.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'sun' + 'guh'
Sounds like 'sun' + 'guh'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'eo' vowel
- Adding an extra syllable
- Stress on the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in news contexts.
Simple to use in sentences.
Clear pronunciation.
Common in media.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun + 을/를
선거를 하다
Noun + 이/가
선거가 끝났다
Noun + 에
선거에 출마하다
Examples by Level
The election is today.
선거가 오늘이다.
Simple present tense.
I will vote.
나는 투표할 것이다.
Future tense.
Who is the winner?
누가 승자입니까?
Question word.
It is a big day.
큰 날이다.
Adjective usage.
We choose a leader.
우리는 지도자를 뽑는다.
Subject-verb.
The vote is fair.
투표는 공정하다.
Adjective.
Many people go.
많은 사람들이 간다.
Quantifier.
I like this leader.
나는 이 지도자가 좋다.
Preference.
The school held an election for president.
Many candidates want to win.
Voting is a very important right.
The election results are coming soon.
She is running in the election.
People waited in line to vote.
The election happens every four years.
He lost the election by ten votes.
The general election will be held next month.
Candidates are busy campaigning for the upcoming election.
The election commission announced the final results.
Voter turnout was higher than the last election.
She promised to lower taxes during her election campaign.
The election was marked by a high level of public interest.
Many people are debating the election issues.
The country is preparing for a fair and transparent election.
The incumbent president is seeking reelection.
The election outcome will shape the country's future for years.
Allegations of fraud cast a shadow over the election.
The political party suffered a crushing defeat in the election.
Voters expressed their dissatisfaction through the election.
The election process is strictly monitored by international observers.
His election platform focused on environmental reform.
The media coverage of the election has been intense.
The election served as a referendum on the current administration's policies.
The sheer scale of the election mobilization was unprecedented.
Political analysts are scrutinizing the election data for demographic shifts.
The election cycle has become increasingly polarized in recent years.
A free and fair election is the hallmark of a healthy democracy.
The candidate's rhetoric during the election was highly controversial.
The election results triggered widespread protests in the capital.
The legislative body was reshaped following the recent election.
The election represents the quintessence of the democratic mandate.
The electorate's decision in this election reflects a deep-seated desire for change.
The election process is an intricate dance of political maneuvering and public persuasion.
The legitimacy of the government rests upon the integrity of the election.
Throughout the election, the candidate navigated a minefield of scandals.
The election was a watershed moment in the nation's political history.
The election outcome defied the predictions of most pollsters.
The transition of power following the election was remarkably peaceful.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"선거에 이기다"
To win an election
그는 결국 선거에 이겼다.
neutral"선거에서 떨어지다"
To lose an election
그는 아쉽게 선거에서 떨어졌다.
neutral"선거판을 흔들다"
To shake up the election
그 후보가 선거판을 흔들었다.
casual"선거를 치르다"
To undergo/conduct an election
우리는 큰 선거를 치렀다.
neutral"선거에 뛰어들다"
To jump into the election race
그가 선거에 뛰어들었다.
casual"선거를 앞두다"
To have an election ahead
선거를 앞두고 긴장감이 돈다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both start with '선'
선택 is a general choice, 선거 is a formal election.
I made a choice (선택) vs. The election (선거).
Both relate to elections
투표 is the act of voting, 선거 is the whole process.
I cast a vote (투표) in the election (선거).
Both involve selecting
선발 is for picking people for a team, 선거 is for political office.
Team selection (선발) vs. Presidential election (선거).
Both involve people
추천 is a recommendation, 선거 is a vote.
I recommend (추천) him for the election (선거).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 선거를 + verb
우리는 선거를 했다.
선거 + 결과가 + adjective
선거 결과가 놀랍다.
선거에 + verb
선거에 나갔다.
선거를 + 앞두고 + verb
선거를 앞두고 바쁘다.
선거를 + 통해 + verb
선거를 통해 뽑았다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
선거 is only for political or formal group selection.
They are related but not identical.
Phonetic error.
You don't 'receive' an election, you 'run' in one.
Korean doesn't use plural markers for this noun.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a voting booth in your living room.
Native Usage
Use it when talking about national or school elections.
Cultural Insight
Elections are taken very seriously in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It's just a noun, keep it simple!
Say It Right
Focus on the 'eo' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for a simple choice.
Did You Know?
The word comes from raising someone up!
Study Smart
Read news articles to see it in context.
Context
Pair it with '투표'.
Practice
Make a mock election in your class.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Sun' rising (raising up) to 'Go' (choose) a leader.
Visual Association
A ballot box with a checkmark.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a sentence about your class president election.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Selecting and raising up
Cultural Context
Elections can be highly polarizing topics.
Elections are a cornerstone of Western democracy.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 반장 선거
- 학생회 선거
- 투표 용지
In politics
- 대통령 선거
- 지방 선거
- 선거 유세
In news
- 선거 결과
- 선거 관리 위원회
- 출구 조사
In daily life
- 선거날
- 투표하러 가다
- 선거권
Conversation Starters
"Did you vote in the last election?"
"Who do you think will win the election?"
"Why is the election important?"
"How often does your country hold elections?"
"What do you think of the election campaign?"
Journal Prompts
Describe what you would do if you were a candidate in an election.
Why do you think voting is a right and a responsibility?
Write about a memorable election you witnessed.
What makes a good election campaign?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually, yes, but it can apply to any formal group selection.
투표했어요.
선거 is the event, 투표 is the action of voting.
Not usually; use 대회 for a contest.
No, it's very common.
No, Korean nouns don't have plural forms.
Yes, for board elections.
선거하다.
Test Yourself
The ___ is today.
Election is the correct term for voting.
What does '선거' mean?
선거 means election.
An election is a way to choose a leader.
That is the definition.
Word
Meaning
Correct meanings.
Standard sentence structure.
Score: /5
Summary
An election (선거) is the democratic process of choosing our leaders through voting.
- 선거 means election.
- It is a formal process to choose leaders.
- It involves voting (투표).
- It is used in politics and school.
Memory Palace
Imagine a voting booth in your living room.
Native Usage
Use it when talking about national or school elections.
Cultural Insight
Elections are taken very seriously in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It's just a noun, keep it simple!
Example
다음 달에 대통령 선거가 있습니다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More society words
수용하다
B2To accept, take in, or accommodate ideas, opinions, people, or external influences.
성인
A1An adult; a person who is fully grown or developed.
선진화
B1The process of making something advanced or modernized to reach the level of developed nations. It often refers to systems, technology, or social consciousness.
가중되다
B2To be increased or aggravated, especially in terms of pressure, burden, or negative circumstances.
지향
B2The act of aiming for a certain direction, goal, or ideal state.
소외
B2The state of being isolated or excluded from a group or society; alienation.
또한
A1Also; in addition; moreover.
대안
B2A plan, proposal, or option that can replace an existing one, usually to solve a problem. It is a key word in IELTS Task 2 for suggesting solutions.
비록
A1Although; even though.
도래
B1The arrival or beginning of a significant period, event, or era. It often describes the start of a new technology-driven age.
