Explanation at your level:
You use this word when you want to know the price of a big job. If you want to paint your room, you ask a painter for a 견적. It shows you the price clearly.
When you hire someone, you ask for a 견적. This is a document that lists all the costs. It helps you decide if you can afford the work.
In business, you often request a 견적 before signing a contract. It is a formal way to ensure that both sides agree on the budget and the scope of work involved.
The term 견적 implies a professional assessment. It is not just a guess; it is an expert calculation of labor, materials, and overheads, often presented as a formal 견적서.
Beyond simple pricing, 견적 serves as a strategic tool in project management. It allows stakeholders to perform cost-benefit analysis and mitigate financial risks before the project lifecycle begins.
Etymologically, 견적 represents the intersection of observation and accumulation. In high-level discourse, it can metaphorically refer to assessing the 'cost' of an idea or a complex social situation, though this is rare.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Estimate of cost
- Used in business
- Often called 견적서
- Helps in planning
When you hear the word 견적 (estimate), think of it as a roadmap for your wallet. It is a professional way to say, 'Here is what I think this job will cost based on the materials and time needed.'
In the business world, getting a 견적 is the first step before any big project starts. Whether you are fixing a car or building a house, this document protects both the provider and the customer by setting clear expectations early on.
The word 견적 is rooted in Sino-Korean characters. 견 (見) means to see or look, and 적 (積) means to stack or calculate.
Historically, this term evolved from the practice of 'looking at the pile' of materials required for construction. It reflects the ancient necessity of calculating resources before beginning a task, a practice that remains central to modern economics and trade.
You will mostly hear this word in professional or commercial settings. It is very common to say 견적을 내다 (to produce an estimate) or 견적을 받다 (to receive an estimate).
While it is a formal term, it is used daily in industries like construction, repair services, and freelance consulting. It is not usually used for casual shopping, where prices are fixed and displayed on tags.
1. 견적을 뽑다: To calculate the estimate. Example: 'We need to pull the estimate for the renovation.'
2. 견적서: The physical document. Example: 'Please send me the official estimate document.'
3. 견적을 내다: To provide a quote. Example: 'Can you provide a rough quote for this job?'
4. 견적 범위를 정하다: To set a price range. Example: 'We set a range to avoid surprises.'
5. 비용 견적: Cost estimate. Example: 'The cost estimate was within our budget.'
In Korean, 견적 functions as a noun. It is often combined with verbs like '내다' (to put out) or '받다' (to receive).
Pronunciation is straightforward: 'Gyeon' sounds like the 'gy' in 'gym' plus 'on', and 'Jeok' rhymes with 'deck'. Ensure the 'eo' sound is clear and open.
Fun Fact
It reflects the traditional agricultural need to calculate resources.
Pronunciation Guide
Gyeon-jeok
Gyeon-jeok
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'eo' as 'o'
- Softening the 'j' sound
- Stressing the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Business context
Professional
Common
Common
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun + 을/를
견적을 받다
Noun + 이/가
견적이 나왔다
Honorifics
견적을 주십시오
Examples by Level
견적을 주세요.
Please give me an estimate.
Imperative form
견적을 확인했습니다.
견적이 너무 비싸요.
견적을 비교해 봅시다.
새로운 견적을 받았습니다.
견적서가 필요해요.
무료 견적 서비스.
견적을 낮춰주세요.
견적을 승인합니다.
세 군데에서 견적을 받았습니다.
견적서에 서명해 주세요.
견적 범위를 초과했습니다.
최종 견적은 얼마인가요?
견적을 다시 산출해야 합니다.
견적 기간이 얼마나 걸리나요?
상세 견적을 요청합니다.
견적 조건이 명확하지 않습니다.
견적을 검토한 후 연락드리겠습니다.
예상 견적보다 비용이 많이 들었습니다.
견적서의 항목을 꼼꼼히 확인하세요.
견적 산출 방식에 대해 문의합니다.
견적을 조정할 여지가 있나요?
견적은 대략적인 금액입니다.
프로젝트 견적을 준비 중입니다.
견적서 발행은 언제 가능한가요?
견적의 타당성을 분석하는 것이 중요합니다.
견적서에 포함된 부대 비용을 확인하십시오.
이번 견적은 다소 보수적으로 책정되었습니다.
견적 오차 범위를 최소화해야 합니다.
견적 승인 절차가 매우 까다롭습니다.
시장 상황에 따라 견적이 변동될 수 있습니다.
상세 견적 내역을 대조해 보았습니다.
견적서와 실제 청구 금액이 다릅니다.
견적의 정밀도는 프로젝트의 성패를 좌우합니다.
견적 산출을 위한 데이터 기반이 부족합니다.
최종 견적 확정을 위해 추가 미팅을 요청합니다.
견적의 변동성을 고려한 예비비를 설정했습니다.
견적서의 각 항목은 상호 의존적입니다.
견적의 합리성을 논리적으로 설명해야 합니다.
견적서에 명시된 조항을 검토하십시오.
견적 프로세스를 자동화할 필요가 있습니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"견적을 뽑다"
To calculate a quote
견적을 뽑아보겠습니다.
neutral"견적이 나오다"
An estimate is produced
견적이 나왔습니다.
neutral"견적을 맞추다"
To adjust to a budget
예산에 견적을 맞췄습니다.
neutral"견적을 깎다"
To negotiate a lower price
견적을 조금 깎아줄 수 있나요?
casual"견적을 거절하다"
To decline a quote
너무 비싸서 견적을 거절했습니다.
neutral"견적을 승인하다"
To approve a quote
견적을 승인해 주세요.
formalEasily Confused
Both relate to money
Price vs Estimate
가격은 고정되어 있고 견적은 변동 가능합니다.
Both are papers
Estimate vs Invoice
견적은 전, 청구서는 후.
Both relate to money
Budget vs Estimate
예산은 내가 가진 돈, 견적은 일의 비용.
Both relate to pricing
Unit price vs Total estimate
단가는 개당 가격입니다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 견적을 + Verb
제가 견적을 내겠습니다.
견적서 + 를 + Verb
견적서를 확인해 주세요.
Noun + 견적을 + Verb
수리 견적을 받았습니다.
견적이 + Adjective
견적이 너무 높습니다.
견적 + 비교를 + Verb
견적 비교를 해보세요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Estimate is before work, invoice is after.
견적 implies calculation/approximation.
견적서 is specifically the document.
Estimates can change.
Simple estimates lack detail.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a stack of money (Jeok) you are looking at (Gyeon).
When to use
Use it for services like repairs.
Business Etiquette
Always ask for a written quote.
Verb usage
Use '내다' or '받다'.
Clear Vowels
Practice the 'eo' sound.
Don't confuse
Don't use it for fixed store items.
History
Rooted in ancient calculation.
Context
Read business emails.
Flashcards
Use '견적서' as a pair.
Professionalism
Always say '견적서' for the document.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Gyeon (Look) + Jeok (Stack/Price) = Looking at the pile of costs.
Visual Association
A contractor looking at a pile of bricks and writing on a clipboard.
Word Web
Challenge
Ask a friend for a '견적' for a fake service.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To look (見) and accumulate/calculate (積)
Cultural Context
None
Similar to 'Quote' or 'Estimate' in English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Construction
- 공사 견적
- 자재 견적
- 인건비 포함
Car Repair
- 수리 견적
- 부품 견적
- 정비 견적
Freelance
- 작업 견적
- 프로젝트 견적
- 상세 견적
Office
- 견적서 발행
- 견적 승인
- 견적 검토
Conversation Starters
"이 수리비 견적이 얼마인가요?"
"견적서를 이메일로 받을 수 있나요?"
"다른 곳과 견적을 비교하고 싶어요."
"견적이 예산보다 높네요."
"상세 견적 내역을 보여주세요."
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to get a quote for a service.
Why is it important to compare estimates?
What would you do if a final bill was higher than the estimate?
How do you manage your budget when getting quotes?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an estimate.
Not usually.
견적서.
Yes, it is professional.
Depends on the company.
Yes.
Usually not.
Service providers.
Test Yourself
일을 시작하기 전에 ___을 받으세요.
You need an estimate before starting work.
견적서의 의미는?
견적서 is the document.
견적은 항상 최종 가격입니다.
Estimates are usually approximate.
Word
Meaning
Matching verbs to nouns.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
견적 is your professional estimate for a job, helping you plan your budget before you start.
- Estimate of cost
- Used in business
- Often called 견적서
- Helps in planning
Memory Palace
Imagine a stack of money (Jeok) you are looking at (Gyeon).
When to use
Use it for services like repairs.
Business Etiquette
Always ask for a written quote.
Verb usage
Use '내다' or '받다'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More business words
에 대한
A2Concerning or relating to; about, regarding.
~대하여
A2About, concerning, regarding.
대해서
A2Concerning or with regard to; about, regarding.
에 대해
A2About; regarding.
풍요롭다
A2To be abundant, prosperous, or rich.
관철하다
B2To carry through, achieve, or persist in one's will or goal until it is accomplished, despite difficulties.
~에 따라
B1According to, depending on; as stated by or determined by.
에 따라
A2According to; in accordance with.
에 의하면
B1According to; as stated by or reported by.
회계사
A2Accountant; a person whose job is to keep financial accounts.
