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Vocabulary
우수하다

B1 adjective #1,000 most common 9 min read

우수하다

usuhada Top 1,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 우수하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 우수하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn '좋다' (good) or '잘하다' (to do well). '우수하다' is a more advanced word, but you can think of it as 'very, very good' in a school or work context. You might see it on a gold star or a certificate. For example, if you get 100% on a test, your teacher might say your score is '우수하다'. It is an adjective, so it describes things. You can use it like '품질이 우수해요' (The quality is excellent). Just remember it's a bit more formal than the words you use with friends. It's like the difference between saying 'Cool!' and saying 'This is of high quality.' You will mostly see it in writing or hear it in formal announcements. At this stage, just recognize that '우수' means 'excellence.'

At the A2 level, you can start using '우수하다' to describe products or school results. You might use it in a simple sentence like '이 핸드폰은 카메라가 우수해요' (This phone's camera is excellent). It's a useful word when you want to sound more professional or precise. You should also learn the noun form '우수상' (Excellence Award), which is common in Korean schools and contests. When you compare two things, you can say 'A가 B보다 우수해요' (A is superior to B). This is a great way to expand your vocabulary beyond the basic '좋다.' Remember that it is an adjective, so you don't use '을/를' with it. Use '이/가' for the thing that is excellent.

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use '우수하다' in various formal contexts, such as writing a simple resume or a product review. You should understand that '우수하다' implies a comparison to a standard. It is often used in the pattern '...면에서 우수하다' (excellent in terms of...). For example, '이 도시는 교통 시스템 면에서 우수하다' (This city is excellent in terms of its transportation system). You should also be able to distinguish it from '훌륭하다' (admirable/great) and '뛰어나다' (outstanding). '우수하다' is your go-to word for technical excellence, high grades, and superior product quality. It is a key word for the TOPIK II exam and professional communication.

At the B2 level, you should master the nuances of '우수하다' and its related Hanja terms. You should be comfortable using the attributive form '우수한' to modify complex nouns, such as '우수한 인적 자원' (excellent human resources) or '우수한 기술력' (excellent technological prowess). You should also recognize the word in academic journals or news reports discussing '우수성' (excellence/superiority). At this level, you should be able to use '우수하다' to provide objective evaluations in a debate or a formal essay. You should also understand how it fits into the hierarchy of awards (우수상 vs. 최우수상) and use it correctly in business emails to describe company strengths.

For C1 learners, '우수하다' is a foundational word for high-level discourse. You should explore its usage in abstract contexts, such as '문화적 우수성' (cultural superiority/excellence) or '제도의 우수성' (the excellence of a system). You should be able to use it alongside other high-level synonyms like '탁월하다', '출중하다', and '월등하다' to provide precise descriptions. For instance, you might analyze why a certain policy is '우수하다' by citing specific data and comparative metrics. You should also be aware of the potential sensitivity of using '우수성' when comparing cultures or ethnicities, as it can sometimes carry nationalistic overtones in certain debates.

At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of '우수하다' and can use it with native-level precision. You understand its historical and Hanja roots deeply and can use it in literary or highly technical writing. You can distinguish between '우수하다' and '우세하다' (to be predominant/superior in power or numbers). You might use '우수하다' in a philosophical discussion about what constitutes 'excellence' in modern society. You are also capable of using the word ironically or within complex rhetorical structures. Your usage of '우수하다' and its derivatives is seamless, whether you are writing a formal speech, a technical white paper, or a deep analytical critique.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

우수하다 in 30 Seconds

우수하다 means 'to be excellent' or 'superior' in a formal and objective sense.
It is commonly used for grades, product quality, and professional skills.
The attributive form is '우수한' (excellent [noun]).
It is more formal than '좋다' and focuses on high standards.

The Korean adjective 우수하다 (usu-hada) is a sophisticated term used to describe excellence, superiority, or high quality. Rooted in Hanja (Sino-Korean characters), it carries a weight of formal recognition and objective comparison. When you describe something as 우수하다, you aren't just saying it is 'good' (좋다); you are asserting that it stands out as being of a higher standard than its peers or the established norm. This word is ubiquitous in academic settings, professional evaluations, and technical specifications where quality must be measured and acknowledged.

The Hanja Roots: The word is composed of 優 (넉넉할 우), meaning 'abundant' or 'superior,' and 秀 (빼어날 수), meaning 'outstanding' or 'elegant.' Together, they create a concept of 'abundant excellence.' This suggests that the quality isn't just barely meeting a standard but overflowing beyond it.
Objective vs. Subjective: Unlike '좋다' (good), which can be purely subjective (e.g., 'This apple tastes good'), 우수하다 implies an objective or comparative excellence. It is the word used when a student receives an 'A' grade, when a smartphone wins a 'Best of Year' award, or when a company's financial performance exceeds market expectations.

이 제품은 디자인과 성능 면에서 매우 우수하다.
— Translation: This product is very excellent in terms of design and performance.

In everyday life, you will encounter this word most frequently in formal contexts. If you are looking at a report card, you might see the phrase '성적이 우수함' (Academic performance is excellent). If you are reading a job posting, the company might state they are looking for '우수한 인재' (excellent talent/personnel). It is a word that conveys respect and high regard for the subject's capabilities or attributes.

그녀는 수학 실력이 아주 우수합니다.
— Translation: Her math skills are very superior.

Furthermore, 우수하다 is often used in the context of 'quality control' and 'technology.' For instance, a car's fuel efficiency, a fabric's durability, or a software's security features are described using this term to indicate they are top-tier. It is less about personal feeling and more about demonstrable superiority. If you say a movie is '우수하다', you are likely talking about its technical direction or the depth of its screenplay rather than just saying you enjoyed it.

Usage in Competitions: In many Korean contests, the second-place prize is often called the '우수상' (Excellence Award), while the first place is the '최우수상' (Grand Excellence Award). This shows how the word is used to categorize levels of high achievement.

Using 우수하다 correctly requires understanding its role as a descriptive verb (adjective) and its formal tone. Because it is an adjective, it does not take an object with '을/를'. Instead, the subject that possesses the excellent quality is marked with '이/가' or '은/는'. To describe a noun directly, you use the attributive form 우수한.

Basic Sentence Structure: [Subject] + [이/가] + [우수하다].
Example: 품질이 우수하다. (The quality is excellent.)
Attributive Form (Modifying Nouns): [우수한] + [Noun].
Example: 우수한 성적 (Excellent grades), 우수한 인재 (Excellent talent).

우리 회사는 우수한 기술력을 보유하고 있습니다.
— Translation: Our company possesses excellent technological capabilities.

When conjugating for politeness levels, remember that 우수하다 is a '하다' adjective. In formal settings (business, news, presentations), use 우수합니다. In polite but slightly less formal settings, use 우수해요. It is rarely used in very casual speech (반말) unless you are discussing something objectively, like a product's specs, in which case you might say 우수해.

이 대학은 교육 환경이 매우 우수하기로 유명합니다.
— Translation: This university is famous for having a very excellent educational environment.

One of the most common patterns is [Domain] 면에서 우수하다 (to be excellent in terms of [Domain]). This allows you to specify exactly where the excellence lies. For example, '디자인 면에서 우수하다' (excellent in terms of design) or '성능 면에서 우수하다' (excellent in terms of performance). This pattern is essential for writing reviews or evaluations.

Comparative Usage: To say something is 'more' excellent, use '보다 우수하다'.
Example: 이 모델이 이전 모델보다 기능이 우수합니다. (This model has superior functions compared to the previous model.)

그의 논문은 내용이 매우 우수하다는 평가를 받았습니다.
— Translation: His thesis received an evaluation that the content is very excellent.

Finally, consider the word 우수성 (usu-seong), which is the noun form meaning 'excellence' or 'superiority.' You will often see this in phrases like '우수성을 인정받다' (to have one's excellence recognized). This is a high-level expression used in news articles and corporate PR.

While 우수하다 might seem like a word found only in textbooks, it is actually very common in specific real-world environments in Korea. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word when it is used naturally. It is a 'high-register' word, meaning it appears where professionalism and standards are important.

1. Academic Reports and Certificates: In South Korea, academic achievement is paramount. You will see 우수하다 on report cards (성적표) and certificates of merit (상장). If a student is in the top tier of their class, they are described as '성적 우수자' (a person with excellent grades). When a teacher writes a comment about a student's performance, they might say, '학업 성취도가 매우 우수함' (Academic achievement is very excellent).
2. Corporate and Job Market Contexts: Companies use this word to describe both their products and their ideal employees. In advertisements, you might hear: '우수한 품질로 고객의 사랑을 받는...' (Receiving customers' love due to excellent quality...). In recruitment, HR managers look for '우수한 인재' (excellent talent). During performance reviews, an employee might be told their work was '우수하다'.

이번 신제품은 기존 제품보다 내구성이 우수합니다.
— Translation: This new product has superior durability compared to the existing ones.

You will also hear this word frequently on the news. News anchors use it when reporting on South Korea's national achievements, such as '한국의 우수한 의료 시스템' (Korea's excellent medical system) or '우수한 방역 체계' (excellent quarantine system). It is a word that evokes a sense of national pride and objective success.

그는 우수한 성적으로 대학교를 졸업했습니다.
— Translation: He graduated from university with excellent grades.

In the tech world, product reviews on YouTube or in tech blogs often compare specifications. You'll hear phrases like '카메라 성능이 우수하다' (The camera performance is excellent) or '배터리 효율이 우수하다' (The battery efficiency is superior). In these cases, it serves as a professional endorsement of the hardware's quality.

3. Government and Policy: Government documents often refer to '우수 사례' (best practices or excellent examples). When a city or organization does something well, it is labeled an '우수 기관' (excellent institution). This formal labeling is a key part of Korean administrative culture.

While 우수하다 is a versatile word, learners often make mistakes by using it in contexts where a different 'good' or 'excellent' word would be more appropriate. Because Korean has many words for 'excellence,' the nuances matter significantly.

1. Confusing with 훌륭하다 (Hullyunghada): This is the most common mistake. 우수하다 is about objective quality, skills, or performance. 훌륭하다 is about being 'great' in a moral, admirable, or impressive sense. If you want to say a person is a 'great person' (noble character), use 훌륭한 사람. If you say 우수한 사람, you are saying they are a 'highly capable/skilled person.'
2. Using it for Subjective Taste: You wouldn't usually say '이 사과는 맛이 우수하다' (This apple's taste is superior) in a casual setting. It sounds like you are a food scientist conducting a lab test. For personal enjoyment, use '맛있다' (delicious) or '좋다' (good). Use 우수하다 only if you are comparing the quality of agricultural products in a formal report.

❌ 이 영화는 정말 우수해요! (Sounds too clinical)
✅ 이 영화는 정말 대단해요! / 좋아요!
— Note: Use '우수하다' for technical aspects, not personal fun.

Another mistake is overusing it in casual conversation. Since 우수하다 is a formal Hanja-based word, using it with friends can make you sound like you're reading from a textbook or a news script. In casual talk, '잘하다' (to do well) or '대단하다' (to be amazing) are much more natural.

❌ 제 친구는 성격이 우수해요.
✅ 제 친구는 성격이 좋아요.
— Note: Personality (성격) is 'good' (좋다), not 'superior' (우수하다).

Finally, be careful with the particle usage. Do not use '우수하다' as a transitive verb. It is an adjective. You cannot '우수하다' something. Something 'is' 우수하다. For example, '그는 영어를 우수하다' is incorrect. You should say '그는 영어 실력이 우수하다' (His English skill is superior).

3. Confusing with 뛰어나다 (Ttuieonada): While very similar, 뛰어나다 is more often used for innate talents or physical abilities (like sports), whereas 우수하다 is used for results, quality, and academic/technical standards.

To truly master Korean, you need to know which 'excellent' word fits the specific situation. Here is a breakdown of synonyms for 우수하다 and how they differ in nuance and register.

뛰어나다 (Ttuieonada): Nuance: Outstanding, prominent, or excelling.
Usage: This is the most common synonym. It implies that someone 'stands out' from the crowd. It is used for both innate talent and acquired skills. Unlike 우수하다, it feels slightly more dynamic and less 'clinical.'
탁월하다 (Takworhada): Nuance: Pre-eminent, superlative, or unsurpassed.
Usage: This is a higher-level word than 우수하다. It suggests that the excellence is so great that it surpasses almost everyone else. It is often used for leadership (탁월한 리더십) or insight (탁월한 식견).
훌륭하다 (Hullyunghada): Nuance: Great, magnificent, or admirable.
Usage: As mentioned before, this focuses on the 'greatness' of a person's character, a work of art, or a noble deed. It carries an emotional or moral weight that 우수하다 lacks.

그는 탁월한 선택을 했습니다.
— Translation: He made an excellent (superlative) choice.

For even more specific contexts, you might use 출중하다 (Chuljunghada), which literally means 'to stand out from the multitude.' It is often used to describe someone's appearance or a specific skill that is head and shoulders above others. Another option is 월등하다 (Woldeunghada), which means 'to be far superior' or 'to outclass,' often used in direct comparisons where the gap in quality is large.

Summary Comparison

우수하다: High quality/standard (Formal/Objective)
뛰어나다: Outstanding/Prominent (General/Versatile)
탁월하다: Superlative/Unsurpassed (High-level/Strong)
훌륭하다: Admirable/Great (Moral/Emotional)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 優 (우) is the same one used in '배우' (actor), originally meaning someone who is 'superior' in performance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /u.su.ɦa.da/

US /u.su.hɑ.dɑ/

The stress is even across all syllables, typical of Korean.

Rhymes With

특수하다 (teuksuhada) 순수하다 (sunsuhada) 준수하다 (junsuhada) 무수하다 (musuhada) 연수하다 (yeonsuhada) 완수하다 (wansuhada) 보수하다 (bosuhada) 교수하다 (gyosuhada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '우' like 'you' instead of 'oo'.
Making the 's' sound too sharp (like 'ss').
Dropping the 'h' sound in '하다'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in formal texts and news.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of Hanja-based adjective usage.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce but requires correct register.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, often heard in formal contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

좋다 잘하다 사람 성적 품질

Learn Next

탁월하다 월등하다 우월하다 열등하다 성취

Advanced

개선하다 혁신 경쟁력 보유하다 입증하다

Grammar to Know

Adjective Attributive Form (-ㄴ/은)

우수한 인재

Formal Politeness (-습니다)

품질이 우수합니다.

Reason/Cause (-아서/어서)

성적이 우수해서 상을 받았어요.

Comparison (-보다)

이것이 저것보다 우수하다.

Nominalization (-성)

우수성을 증명하다.

Examples by Level

성적이 우수해요.

Grades are excellent.

우수하다 is an adjective.

이 사과는 품질이 우수합니다.

This apple's quality is excellent.

Formal ending -습니다.

우수한 학생이에요.

He/She is an excellent student.

Attributive form 우수한.

한국어 실력이 우수해요.

Korean skills are excellent.

Subject + 실력이 + 우수하다.

이 차는 디자인이 우수하다.

This car's design is excellent.

Plain form -다.

우수한 성적을 받았어요.

I received excellent grades.

우수한 modifies 성적.

우리 팀은 아주 우수합니다.

Our team is very excellent.

Adverb 아주 (very) modifies the adjective.

품질이 정말 우수해요.

The quality is really excellent.

정말 (really) used for emphasis.

이 제품은 성능이 우수해서 인기가 많아요.

This product is popular because its performance is excellent.

-아서/어서 (because) connector.

우수한 인재를 찾고 있습니다.

We are looking for excellent talent.

우수한 modifies the noun 인재.

그는 수학 실력이 우수하기로 유명해요.

He is famous for having excellent math skills.

-기로 유명하다 (famous for...).

이곳은 교육 환경이 매우 우수합니다.

This place has a very excellent educational environment.

매우 (very) is a formal intensifier.

어제 우수상을 받았어요.

I received the Excellence Award yesterday.

우수상 is a common noun derived from the adjective.

이 카메라는 화질이 아주 우수해요.

This camera's image quality is very excellent.

화질 (image quality) is the subject.

우수한 성적으로 졸업하고 싶어요.

I want to graduate with excellent grades.

-고 싶다 (want to).

그 회사는 서비스가 우수하기로 소문났어요.

That company is rumored to have excellent service.

-기로 소문나다 (rumored to be...).

이 노트북은 가성비와 성능 면에서 우수하다.

This laptop is excellent in terms of price-performance ratio and performance.

...면에서 (in terms of...).

우수한 기술력을 바탕으로 시장을 선도하고 있습니다.

Leading the market based on excellent technological power.

...을 바탕으로 (based on...).

그녀는 외국어 능력이 매우 우수한 편입니다.

She is on the side of having very excellent foreign language skills.

-ㄴ 편이다 (on the side of/tends to be).

품질이 우수한 제품을 고르는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to choose products with excellent quality.

-는 것이 중요하다 (it is important to...).

이 대학은 연구 성과가 우수하다고 평가받습니다.

This university is evaluated as having excellent research results.

-다고 평가받다 (evaluated as...).

우수한 인재들이 모여 프로젝트를 진행했습니다.

Excellent talents gathered to carry out the project.

Plural suffix -들 used with 인재.

전통 문화의 우수성을 세계에 알리고 싶습니다.

I want to inform the world about the excellence of traditional culture.

우수성 (excellence) is the noun form.

이 약은 효과가 우수하지만 부작용이 있을 수 있습니다.

This medicine is excellent in effect, but there may be side effects.

-지만 (but) contrastive connector.

그 기업은 우수한 복지 제도로 구직자들에게 인기가 높다.

The company is popular among job seekers for its excellent welfare system.

-로 (due to/by means of).

이번 연구는 데이터의 객관성이 매우 우수하다는 특징이 있다.

This research has the characteristic that the objectivity of the data is very excellent.

-다는 특징이 있다 (has the characteristic that...).

우수한 디자인은 사용자의 편의성을 높여줍니다.

Excellent design increases user convenience.

-어/아 주다 (auxiliary verb for providing a service/benefit).

그는 우수한 리더십을 발휘하여 위기를 극복했습니다.

He overcame the crisis by exercising excellent leadership.

발휘하다 (to exhibit/exercise a skill).

이 지역은 토질이 우수하여 농사가 잘 됩니다.

The soil quality in this area is excellent, so farming goes well.

토질 (soil quality).

우수한 인력을 확보하는 것이 기업의 경쟁력입니다.

Securing excellent manpower is a company's competitiveness.

확보하다 (to secure/ensure).

한글은 과학적 원리가 매우 우수한 문자입니다.

Hangeul is a writing system with very excellent scientific principles.

과학적 원리 (scientific principle).

그 선수는 신체 조건이 우수하여 장래가 촉망됩니다.

The athlete has excellent physical conditions, so his future is promising.

촉망되다 (to be promising).

정부는 우수한 벤처 기업들을 육성하기 위해 예산을 편성했다.

The government allocated a budget to foster excellent venture companies.

육성하다 (to foster/nurture).

이 논문은 논리적 전개가 매우 우수하며 독창적이다.

This thesis has very excellent logical development and is original.

-하며 (and/while) formal connector.

우수한 품질 관리는 글로벌 시장 진출의 필수 조건이다.

Excellent quality control is a prerequisite for entering the global market.

필수 조건 (essential condition/prerequisite).

그 작가는 우수한 문장력으로 독자들의 마음을 사로잡았다.

The author captured readers' hearts with excellent writing skills.

문장력 (writing ability/style).

이 시스템은 보안성 면에서 타 시스템보다 월등히 우수하다.

This system is significantly superior to other systems in terms of security.

월등히 (significantly/by far).

우수한 문화 유산을 보존하고 계승하는 것은 우리의 의무이다.

It is our duty to preserve and pass down excellent cultural heritage.

계승하다 (to inherit/pass down).

그는 학문적 업적이 우수하여 종신 교수직을 제안받았다.

He was offered a tenured professorship due to his excellent academic achievements.

종신 교수직 (tenured professorship).

우수한 통찰력을 가진 지도자가 필요한 시점입니다.

It is a time when a leader with excellent insight is needed.

통찰력 (insight).

해당 공법은 시공 효율성이 우수하여 대규모 토목 공사에 적합하다.

The construction method has excellent efficiency and is suitable for large-scale civil engineering works.

공법 (construction method).

우수한 인적 자본의 축적은 국가 성장의 핵심 동력이다.

The accumulation of excellent human capital is a key driver of national growth.

인적 자본 (human capital).

이 소재는 열전도율이 우수하면서도 무게가 가벼운 것이 장점이다.

The advantage of this material is that it has excellent thermal conductivity while being lightweight.

-면서도 (while/even though).

우수한 행정 서비스는 시민들의 삶의 질을 향상시킨다.

Excellent administrative services improve the quality of life for citizens.

향상시키다 (to improve/enhance).

그의 연주는 기교적인 면에서 우수할 뿐만 아니라 예술성도 깊다.

His performance is not only excellent in technical aspects but also deep in artistry.

-을 뿐만 아니라 (not only... but also).

우수한 품종의 종자를 보급하여 농가 소득을 증대시켰다.

Increased farm income by distributing seeds of excellent varieties.

품종 (variety/breed).

이 이론은 현상을 설명하는 데 있어 논리적 정합성이 우수하다.

This theory has excellent logical consistency in explaining phenomena.

논리적 정합성 (logical consistency).

우수한 지적 역량을 갖춘 인재들이 국가의 미래를 결정한다.

Talents with excellent intellectual capabilities determine the future of the nation.

지적 역량 (intellectual capability).

Synonyms

뛰어나다 탁월하다 훌륭하다 수월하다

Antonyms

부족하다 열등하다

Common Collocations

성적이 우수하다

품질이 우수하다

성능이 우수하다

인재가 우수하다

디자인이 우수하다

기능이 우수하다

내구성이 우수하다

전통이 우수하다

실력이 우수하다

효과가 우수하다

Common Phrases

우수한 성적

— Excellent grades/results.

우수한 성적으로 합격했다.

우수한 품질

— Superior quality.

우수한 품질을 보장합니다.

우수 인재

— Excellent talent (person).

우수 인재를 영입했다.

우수 사례

— Best practice; excellent case.

우수 사례를 발표했다.

우수 기관

— Excellent institution.

우리 병원은 우수 기관으로 선정되었다.

우수성 인정

— Recognition of excellence.

기술의 우수성을 인정받았다.

우수 도서

— Excellent book (recommended).

이 책은 우수 도서로 선정되었다.

우수 사원

— Employee of the month/excellent employee.

그는 올해의 우수 사원이 되었다.

우수 논문

— Excellent thesis/paper.

우수 논문상을 수상했다.

우수 업체

— Excellent company/vendor.

우수 업체로 등록되었다.

Often Confused With

우수하다 vs 훌륭하다

훌륭하다 is for moral greatness; 우수하다 is for objective quality.

우수하다 vs 뛰어나다

뛰어나다 is more about standing out; 우수하다 is about high standards.

우수하다 vs 우세하다

우세하다 means to have the upper hand or be predominant in power/numbers.

Idioms & Expressions

"청출어람"

— The student surpasses the teacher (literally: blue comes from indigo but is bluer).

그의 제자가 더 우수하니 청출어람이다.

Formal/Literary

"군계일학"

— A crane among chickens; someone who is outstandingly excellent among ordinary people.

그는 실력이 군계일학이다.

Literary

"발군이다"

— To be pre-eminent; to stand out from the crowd.

그의 실력은 발군이다.

Formal

"독보적이다"

— To be unrivaled; in a class of one's own.

그녀의 기술은 독보적이다.

Formal

"타의 추종을 불허하다"

— To allow no followers; to be so excellent that others cannot follow.

그 제품의 품질은 타의 추종을 불허한다.

Formal

"머리가 우수하다"

— To be very smart (literally: the head is excellent).

그는 머리가 우수해서 공부를 잘한다.

Neutral

"재능이 우수하다"

— To have superior talent.

그녀는 음악적 재능이 우수하다.

Neutral

"자질이 우수하다"

— To have excellent qualities or potential.

그는 지도자로서의 자질이 우수하다.

Formal

"수준이 우수하다"

— The level is excellent.

이 공연은 수준이 우수하다.

Neutral

"조건이 우수하다"

— The conditions are excellent.

이곳은 입지 조건이 우수하다.

Formal

Easily Confused

우수하다 vs 좋다

Both mean 'good'.

좋다 is general and subjective; 우수하다 is formal and objective.

이 사과 좋다 (Casual) vs 이 사과는 품질이 우수하다 (Formal).

우수하다 vs 대단하다

Both mean 'great'.

대단하다 is an exclamation of surprise; 우수하다 is a measured evaluation.

와, 대단하다! (Wow, great!) vs 성적이 우수하다 (Grades are excellent).

우수하다 vs 특별하다

Both imply being above average.

특별하다 means 'special' or 'unique'; 우수하다 means 'high quality'.

특별한 날 (Special day) vs 우수한 기술 (Excellent tech).

우수하다 vs 탁월하다

Both mean 'excellent'.

탁월하다 is a stronger, more superlative version of 우수하다.

탁월한 리더십 (Unsurpassed leadership).

우수하다 vs 유명하다

Excellent things are often famous.

유명하다 means 'famous'; 우수하다 means 'excellent'.

유명한 식당 (Famous restaurant) vs 품질이 우수한 식당 (Restaurant with excellent quality).

Sentence Patterns

N이/가 우수하다

품질이 우수하다.

N 면에서 우수하다

기능 면에서 우수하다.

우수한 N

우수한 성적.

N보다 우수하다

이전 모델보다 우수하다.

우수하기로 유명하다

성능이 우수하기로 유명하다.

우수성을 인정받다

기술의 우수성을 인정받다.

우수하다고 평가받다

매우 우수하다고 평가받는다.

우수할 뿐만 아니라

품질이 우수할 뿐만 아니라 가격도 저렴하다.

Word Family

Nouns

우수성 (Excellence)

우수상 (Excellence Award)

우수자 (Excellent person)

최우수 (Grand excellence)

Verbs

우대하다 (To treat with excellence/preference)

Adjectives

우수하다 (Excellent)

우월하다 (To be superior)

우수 (Excellence)

우등 (Superior grade)

우량 (Good quality)

우수 (Rainwater - homonym)

How to Use It

frequency

High in formal, academic, and business contexts.

Common Mistakes

그는 성격이 우수하다. → 그는 성격이 좋다.
Personality is 'good', not 'superior' in a technical sense.
나는 영어를 우수하다. → 나는 영어 실력이 우수하다.
우수하다 is an adjective and needs a subject, not an object.
이 영화는 우수해요. → 이 영화는 재미있어요 / 대단해요.
우수하다 sounds too clinical for a fun movie.
그는 훌륭한 성적을 받았다. → 그는 우수한 성적을 받았다.
While '훌륭한' is okay, '우수한' is the standard term for grades.
품질을 우수하다. → 품질이 우수하다.
Use the subject particle '이/가' with adjectives.

Tips

Attributive Form

Always use '우수한' when you want to put 'excellent' right before a noun, like '우수한 인재'.

Pair with Domains

Use the pattern '[Domain] 면에서 우수하다' to sound more natural and professional.

Award Names

If you see '우수' in a title, it means it's a high-quality recognition.

Resume Tip

Use '우수하다' to describe your skills or academic achievements on a Korean resume.

Formal Praise

Use '우수합니다' when presenting a product to a client.

Business Context

In business, '품질 우수' is a very common phrase on packaging.

Hanja Power

Knowing '수' (秀) means outstanding helps you learn words like '수재' (genius).

Objective Standards

Use '우수하다' when you have data or grades to back up your claim.

News Keywords

When you hear '우수', expect a report about a success or a high-quality system.

Woo-Soo

Think of a 'Woo-Soo' (Woo-hoo!) sound when you get an 'A' grade.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'U' (You) are 'Super' (Su) and 'Hard' (Hada) working. You are excellent!

Visual Association

Imagine a report card with all A's and a gold seal that says '우수' on it.

Word Web

성적 품질 성능 인재 기술 실력 평가 수상

Challenge

Try to find three items in your room and describe why their quality is '우수하다' in Korean.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 優 (우) and 秀 (수).

Original meaning: 優 means 'abundant' or 'superior,' and 秀 means 'outstanding' or 'beautiful.'

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too arrogant when using it to describe yourself; it is better used by others to describe you.

While English speakers might use 'awesome' or 'great' casually, '우수하다' is strictly more formal, like 'superior' or 'of high caliber.'

우수상 (Excellence Award) in the MBC/SBS/KBS Drama Awards. 국가우수장학금 (National Excellence Scholarship). 우수 중소기업 (Excellent Small and Medium Enterprises).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School

성적이 우수하다
우수한 학생
우수상을 받다
학업 성취

Work

우수한 인재
업무 능력이 우수하다
우수 사원
성과가 우수하다

Shopping

품질이 우수하다
가성비가 우수하다
내구성이 우수하다
디자인이 우수하다

Technology

성능이 우수하다
기술력이 우수하다
보안이 우수하다
기능이 우수하다

News

시스템이 우수하다
문화적 우수성
우수 사례
인정받다

Conversation Starters

"이 제품의 품질이 정말 우수하지 않나요?"

"어떻게 하면 그렇게 우수한 성적을 받을 수 있어요?"

"우리 회사는 우수한 인재를 많이 필요로 합니다."

"이 영화는 연출 면에서 매우 우수하다고 생각해요."

"한국의 의료 시스템은 정말 우수한 것 같아요."

Journal Prompts

최근에 본 제품 중에서 품질이 가장 우수했던 것은 무엇인가요?

자신이 다른 사람보다 우수하다고 생각하는 능력은 무엇인가요?

우수한 리더가 되기 위해 필요한 조건은 무엇이라고 생각하나요?

우수한 성적을 받기 위해 어떤 노력을 해봤나요?

한국 문화 중에서 세계적으로 우수하다고 생각하는 점은 무엇인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it usually refers to their skills or grades (e.g., 우수한 학생), not their personality.

Rarely. It sounds very formal. Use '잘하다' or '좋다' with friends.

우수상 is an Excellence Award (often 2nd or 3rd), while 최우수상 is Grand Excellence (1st).

You can in a formal food review, but it sounds like a scientific report. '맛있다' is better for daily life.

It is an adjective (descriptive verb) in Korean.

Use the adverbial form '우수하게'.

優 (Superior) and 秀 (Outstanding).

Yes, for 'excellent physical condition' or 'excellent skills'.

No, it is always positive.

우수성 (excellence) or 우수 (the state of being excellent).