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Vocabulary
진급하다

B1 verb 6 min read

진급하다

jingeuphada

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 진급하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 진급하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '진급하다' (jin-geup-ha-da) as 'moving up' in school. In Korea, children start a new school year in March. When they finish the 1st grade and go to the 2nd grade, they 'jin-geup.' You don't need to worry about complex corporate ranks yet. Just remember it as 'going to the next grade.' For example, 'I am in 2nd grade now' (저는 이제 2학년으로 진급했어요). It is a happy word because it means you are growing up and learning more. You might see this word on a school report card or hear a teacher say it at the end of the year. Even if you don't use it yourself often, knowing it helps you understand how Korean schools work. It is pronounced 'jin-geup-ha-da,' where 'jin' sounds like 'gin' in 'begin' and 'geup' sounds like 'gup' in 'guppy.'

At the A2 level, you can start using '진급하다' to talk about simple progressions. Beyond just school grades, you might hear it in the context of a hobby or a simple job. If you are taking a Korean language course and you move from Level 1 to Level 2, you are '진급'ing to the next level. The most important grammar point here is using the particle '-ro' (로) or '-euro' (으로) after the new rank. For example, '2급으로 진급했어요' (I advanced to Level 2). This word shows that there is a system or a ladder that you are climbing. It is different from 'ka-da' (to go) because it implies you earned your way to the next step. You will also start to notice this word in simple stories or cartoons when a character gets a new badge or rank.

At the B1 level, you should understand the specific contexts where '진급하다' is used versus other similar words. This is the level where you learn about Korean military service and corporate culture. '진급하다' is the standard word for military rank advancement (e.g., advancing from Private to Corporal). In a company, it refers to moving up the standard hierarchy of titles like 'Sawon' (Staff) to 'Daeri' (Assistant Manager). You should also learn the noun form '진급' (promotion/advancement) and how it's used in phrases like '진급 시험' (promotion exam). At this level, you can explain your career goals using this word: '내년에는 꼭 과장으로 진급하고 싶어요' (I really want to be promoted to Section Chief next year). You are beginning to see the cultural importance of hierarchy in Korea through this word.

At the B2 level, you should be able to discuss the nuances and social implications of '진급하다.' In Korea, '진급' is not just a personal achievement; it affects one's social standing and how others address you. You should be comfortable using the causative form '진급시키다' (to promote someone) and the passive-leaning '진급이 되다' (to get promoted). You can also participate in debates about '진급 누락' (being passed over for promotion) and how it affects employee morale. You might encounter this word in more complex news articles about government restructuring or military reforms. Understanding the 'Geup' (급) system—where lower numbers often mean higher ranks in government but higher numbers mean higher levels in language tests—is crucial at this stage. You can also use the word metaphorically for progress in a structured process.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the historical and formal roots of '진급하다.' The Hanja (Chinese characters) for this word are 進 (advance) and 級 (level/step). You can analyze how this word reflects the Confucian emphasis on hierarchy and systematic progression. You should be able to use it in professional writing, such as business proposals or formal reports. You will also recognize it in literature or historical dramas where characters struggle to '진급' within the Joseon dynasty's complex civil service system. At this level, you can distinguish '진급' from more abstract terms like '발전' (development) or '진보' (progress). You should also be aware of the 'glass ceiling' (유리 천장) and how it relates to '진급' opportunities for different groups in Korean society.

At the C2 level, '진급하다' is a tool for nuanced social commentary. You can discuss the evolution of the Korean promotion system from a seniority-based system (호봉제) to a merit-based system (연봉제/성과제) and how the terminology of '진급' is changing as a result. You can use the word in academic contexts to describe the stratification of social classes or the systemic advancement of technologies through defined stages. You should be able to use the word with perfect register, knowing exactly when to use '진급' versus '승진' or '승격' to convey precise meaning in legal or high-level corporate documents. Your mastery includes understanding the psychological weight the word carries in a society where one's 'grade' often defines their identity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

진급하다 in 30 Seconds

Used for moving up in a structured hierarchy (school, military, company).
Commonly paired with the particle -(으)로 to indicate the new rank.
Differs from '승진' which is more common for general business titles.
Carries a sense of systematic progression and achievement.

The Korean verb 진급하다 (jin-geup-ha-da) primarily translates to 'to be promoted' or 'to advance in rank.' While English often uses the generic word 'promotion' for almost every upward move in a career, Korean is more specific. Jin-geup (진급) specifically refers to moving from one numbered or tiered rank to the next higher one within a rigid hierarchical system. This word is most frequently encountered in three specific environments: the military, schools, and traditional corporate structures. In the military, it describes a soldier moving from Private to Corporal; in schools, it describes a student moving from the first grade to the second grade; and in companies, it describes an employee moving from 'Assistant Manager' to 'Manager.'

Military Context: In the South Korean military, where hierarchy is absolute, 진급하다 is the standard term for attaining a higher rank. It is a moment of great pride and usually involves a formal ceremony.
Educational Context: When a student successfully completes a school year and moves to the next grade level, they 진급 to the next grade. If they fail to do so, the opposite term yugyeop (유급) is used.

내 친구는 이번에 병장으로 진급했다. (My friend was promoted to Sergeant this time.)

Understanding 진급하다 requires an appreciation for the 'Geup' (급) system in Korea. The character 급 (級) means 'level' or 'grade.' Therefore, 진급 literally means 'advancing the level.' This is slightly different from 승진 (seung-jin), which is more commonly used for general workplace promotions. While they are often used interchangeably in casual speech, 진급 carries a nuance of fulfilling a set time requirement or passing a specific test to reach the next predefined tier. It implies a sense of progression through a structured path rather than just a jump in status based on performance alone.

그는 성적이 좋아서 다음 학년으로 무사히 진급했다. (He safely advanced to the next grade because his grades were good.)

Using 진급하다 correctly involves understanding the particles that accompany it. Most commonly, you will use the particle -(으)로 to indicate the rank or level being attained. For example, 'Manager-ro jin-geup-ha-da' means 'to be promoted to Manager.' Because 진급하다 is an intransitive verb in this sense (the subject is the one being promoted), you don't use an object particle like -eul/reul with the rank itself.

Grammar Pattern: [Rank] + (으)로 + 진급하다: This is the most standard way to express what position someone has moved into. Use '로' after a vowel-ending noun and '으로' after a consonant-ending noun.

그는 입사 5년 만에 과장으로 진급했다. (He was promoted to Section Chief after five years of joining the company.)

When talking about the criteria for promotion, you might use -eseo (from) to indicate where the person started, or -eun/neun to focus on the person. In passive-like contexts, although 진급하다 is active in form, it translates to the English passive 'to be promoted.' If you want to say someone 'promoted' someone else (active role of the boss), you would use 진급시키다 (jin-geup-si-ki-da), which is the causative form.

누구나 제때 진급하고 싶어 한다. (Everyone wants to be promoted on time.)

In academic settings, 진급 is usually automatic unless a student fails (F grade) or has too many absences. However, in the military, 진급 requires passing physical exams, shooting tests, and having a clean disciplinary record. Therefore, when using 진급하다 in a military context, there is a strong implication of merit and qualification.

You will hear 진급하다 frequently in Korean dramas (K-Dramas) that focus on office life or the military. For example, in a 'slice-of-life' office drama like 'Misaeng' or 'Search: WWW,' characters often stress about whether they will 진급 during the annual review cycle. The tension of 'Jin-geup season' (the period when promotions are announced) is a common plot device. You will also hear it in news reports discussing military personnel changes or government official appointments.

이번 진급 심사에서 탈락하면 어떡하지? (What if I fail this promotion review?)

In a domestic setting, parents often use this word when talking about their children's schooling. During late February (the end of the Korean school year), you might hear a grandmother ask, '우리 손주, 이제 몇 학년으로 진급하니?' (Which grade is our grandchild advancing to now?). It sounds more formal and 'proper' than just saying 'going to the next grade.'

Daily Life: Conversations about career paths, military service, and children's education.
Professional Environment: Annual performance reviews, HR announcements, and congratulatory gatherings.

진급 누락 소식에 그는 큰 실망을 감추지 못했다. (He couldn't hide his great disappointment at the news of being passed over for promotion.)

The most common mistake English speakers make is confusing 진급하다 (jin-geup-ha-da) with 승진하다 (seung-jin-ha-da). While both mean 'to be promoted,' 승진 is the go-to word for general business contexts, especially when moving into a position of more power or a different job title. 진급 is strictly about moving up a 'grade' or 'rank' in a predefined ladder. For example, moving from 'Grade 5 Official' to 'Grade 4 Official' is 진급, but being appointed as the 'Head of Marketing' is 승진.

Incorrect: 학교에서 다음 학년으로 승진했다. (Promoted to the next grade in school - using corporate term).
Correct: 학교에서 다음 학년으로 진급했다.

Another mistake is using the object particle -eul/reul with the rank. Because 진급하다 describes the subject's change of state, you should use the destination particle -ro/euro. For instance, 'Captain-eul jin-geup-ha-da' sounds like you are promoting the Captain, rather than you becoming the Captain. If you want to say someone else promoted you, you must use the causative 진급시키다.

Confusion with 'Level Up': Don't use 진급하다 for gaining experience points in a game (that's 'level up'). Use it for moving from 'Silver Rank' to 'Gold Rank' in a competitive ladder.

상사가 나를 대리로 진급시켰다. (The boss promoted me to Assistant Manager.)

Lastly, avoid using 진급하다 for physical movement or moving to a better house. It is strictly for social, military, or academic hierarchy. For moving houses, use 이사하다; for moving to a better location, use 이동하다.

To master Korean, you must distinguish between the various words for 'advancement.' While 진급하다 is about rank, other words cover different types of progress. 승진하다 (seung-jin-ha-da) is the most common synonym in a business context. 승격하다 (seung-gyeok-ha-da) is used when the status of an entire entity is raised, such as a village becoming a city or a small club becoming a professional league team.

진급 vs. 승진: 진급: Moving up a numbered rank (1st grade to 2nd grade, Private to Corporal).
승진: Moving up a professional position (Staff to Manager, Director to VP).
진급 vs. 영전: 영전 (yeong-jeon): Moving to a more prestigious or better position, even if the 'rank' stays the same. Often used for government officials.

그의 팀이 1부 리그로 승격했다. (His team was promoted to the first division.)

Another related term is 진학하다 (jin-hak-ha-da). While 진급 is moving up a grade within a school, 진학 is moving to a higher level of school, such as from Middle School to High School, or High School to University. If you say you 'jin-geup-ha-da' to university, it sounds strange; you should say you 'jin-hak-ha-da' to university.

그는 명문 대학교로 진학했다. (He went on to a prestigious university.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Korea, 'Geup' was used to define the 18 levels of the civil service hierarchy. Moving from one 'Geup' to another was the most important event in a scholar-official's life.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕinɡɯpʰada/

US /t͡ɕinɡupʰada/

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'geup'.

Rhymes With

공급하다 (gong-geup-ha-da - to supply) 지급하다 (ji-geup-ha-da - to pay) 상급 (sang-geup - high level) 하급 (ha-geup - low level) 계급 (gye-geup - rank) 등급 (deung-geup - grade) 보급 (bo-geup - dissemination) 환급 (hwan-geup - refund)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jin' as 'zhin' (with a heavy English 'z' sound).
Releasing the final 'p' in 'geup' too strongly (it should be an unreleased stop).
Confusing 'geup' with 'gap' (price).
Making the 'h' in 'ha-da' too silent.
Vowel length: keeping the 'i' in 'jin' too long.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context because of its common Hanja roots.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct particle usage (-(으)로) and distinction from 승진하다.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires the unreleased 'p' sound.

Listening 3/5

Common in media and workplace conversations.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

급 (level) 학교 (school) 군대 (military) 회사 (company) 하다 (to do)

Learn Next

승진하다 (to be promoted) 강등되다 (to be demoted) 직급 (job rank) 인사 (personnel/HR)

Advanced

영전 (prestigious transfer) 좌천 (demotion/unwanted transfer) 보직 (assignment/post)

Grammar to Know

-(으)로 (Direction/Result)

부장으로 진급했다.

-게 되다 (Change of State)

진급하게 되었어요.

-기 위해 (Purpose)

진급하기 위해 노력해요.

-자마자 (As soon as)

진급하자마자 월급이 올랐다.

-아/어 보이다 (Appear to be)

진급해서 행복해 보여요.

Examples by Level

저는 2학년으로 진급해요.

I am advancing to the 2nd grade.

진급해요 is the polite present tense.

동생이 유치원에서 초등학교로 진급했어요.

My younger sibling moved up from kindergarten to elementary school.

Note the use of 'eseo' (from) and 'ro' (to).

우리 언니는 이제 6학년으로 진급해요.

My older sister is advancing to the 6th grade now.

Polite present tense used for near future.

모두 진급을 축하해요!

Congratulations on everyone's promotion/advancement!

진급 is the noun form here.

공부 열심히 해서 진급했어요.

I studied hard and moved up a grade.

Using -eseo (because/and) to show cause.

누가 진급했어요?

Who was promoted/advanced?

Interrogative form.

내일 진급 발표가 있어요.

There is a promotion announcement tomorrow.

진급 as a noun modifying 'announcement'.

진급해서 기뻐요.

I am happy because I was promoted.

Expressing emotion after advancement.

태권도 파란 띠로 진급했어요.

I advanced to a blue belt in Taekwondo.

Shows advancement in a skill level.

시험에 합격하면 다음 단계로 진급해요.

If you pass the exam, you advance to the next level.

Conditional -myeon (if).

그는 군대에서 일병으로 진급했다.

He was promoted to Private First Class in the army.

Standard military usage.

진급하고 싶으면 출석을 잘 하세요.

If you want to be promoted, attend classes well.

-go sip-myeon (if you want to).

드디어 상급 반으로 진급하게 되었어요.

I finally got to advance to the advanced class.

-ge doe-eot-eo-yo (came to be/ended up).

진급 선물을 샀어요.

I bought a promotion gift.

Noun compound.

제 친구는 진급을 못 했어요.

My friend couldn't get promoted.

Negative 'mot' (cannot).

언제 진급하는지 알아요?

Do you know when the promotion happens?

Indirect question -neun-ji.

그는 성실한 태도 덕분에 과장으로 진급했다.

He was promoted to Section Chief thanks to his sincere attitude.

Deok-bun-e (thanks to).

이번 진급 심사는 매우 까다로울 거예요.

This promotion review will be very strict.

Future tense with 'kka-da-rop-da' (strict/picky).

진급을 하려면 외국어 성적이 필요해요.

In order to get promoted, you need foreign language scores.

-ryeo-myeon (in order to).

그는 동기들보다 1년 먼저 진급했다.

He was promoted one year earlier than his peers.

Comparison using 'boda' (than).

진급 축하 파티에 초대할게요.

I'll invite you to the promotion celebration party.

Future intention.

군인들은 진급을 위해 체력 단련을 합니다.

Soldiers do physical training for promotion.

-reul wi-hae (for the sake of).

진급이 결정되자 그는 가족에게 전화를 걸었다.

As soon as the promotion was decided, he called his family.

-ja (as soon as/upon).

그녀는 최연소로 팀장으로 진급하는 기록을 세웠다.

She set a record by being promoted to team leader at the youngest age.

Choe-yeon-so (youngest age).

회사는 성과 중심의 진급 제도를 도입했다.

The company introduced a performance-oriented promotion system.

Seong-gwa jung-sim (performance-centered).

그는 진급 누락의 충격으로 사표를 던졌다.

He threw in his resignation due to the shock of being passed over for promotion.

Jin-geup nu-rak (promotion omission/failure).

진급 대상자 명단이 오늘 오후에 발표됩니다.

The list of candidates for promotion will be announced this afternoon.

Dae-sang-ja (target person/candidate).

군대에서 진급은 명예뿐만 아니라 책임도 따릅니다.

In the military, promotion brings not only honor but also responsibility.

Ppun-man a-ni-ra (not only... but also).

그는 상사에게 잘 보여서 진급했다는 소문이 있다.

There is a rumor that he was promoted because he sucked up to his boss.

-da-neun so-mun (rumor that...).

진급을 앞두고 그는 밤낮없이 일에 매달렸다.

With a promotion ahead, he clung to his work day and night.

Ap-du-go (with... ahead).

이번에 진급하면 연봉이 얼마나 오를까요?

How much will the salary increase if I get promoted this time?

Yeon-bong (annual salary).

공무원 사회에서는 진급이 다소 느린 편이다.

In the civil service society, promotion tends to be somewhat slow.

-neun pyeon-i-da (tends to/on the side of).

진급 정체 현상이 심화되면서 직원들의 불만이 커지고 있다.

As the promotion stagnation phenomenon worsens, employee dissatisfaction is growing.

Sim-hwa-doe-myeon-seo (while worsening/deepening).

그는 파격적인 진급을 통해 경영진의 일원이 되었다.

He became a member of the management team through an unconventional promotion.

Pa-gyeok-jeok (unconventional/breaking tradition).

진급 심사 과정의 투명성을 확보하는 것이 시급하다.

It is urgent to ensure the transparency of the promotion review process.

Tu-myeong-seong (transparency).

여성들의 진급을 가로막는 유리 천장을 부수어야 한다.

The glass ceiling that blocks women's promotions must be broken.

Ga-ro-mak-neun (blocking/obstructing).

그는 진급을 위해 동료를 배신하는 파렴치한 행동을 했다.

He committed a shameless act of betraying a colleague for a promotion.

Pa-ryeom-chi-han (shameless).

진급은 단순한 직급의 상승이 아니라 역량의 증명을 의미한다.

Promotion is not just a rise in rank but signifies the proof of one's capabilities.

A-ni-ra (not A but B).

정치적 외압에 의한 진급 인사는 조직의 근간을 흔든다.

Promotion personnel decisions based on political pressure shake the foundation of the organization.

Geun-gan (foundation/root).

그는 진급에 대한 집착을 버리고 자기 계발에 집중하기로 했다.

He decided to let go of his obsession with promotion and focus on self-development.

Jip-chak (obsession).

관료주의 사회에서 진급은 생존과 직결되는 문제이다.

In a bureaucratic society, promotion is a matter directly linked to survival.

Jik-gyeol-doe-neun (directly linked).

진급의 사다리가 끊어진 세대에게 희망을 주어야 한다.

We must give hope to the generation for whom the ladder of promotion has been broken.

Sa-da-ri (ladder).

그는 진급 가도에서 이탈하여 자신만의 길을 개척했다.

He deviated from the path of promotion and blazed his own trail.

Ga-do (path/road).

진급을 둘러싼 암투는 거대한 기업의 이면을 보여준다.

The dark infighting surrounding promotions shows the hidden side of huge corporations.

Am-tu (dark struggle/infighting).

진급의 기준이 모호할수록 조직 내의 불신은 깊어진다.

The more ambiguous the criteria for promotion, the deeper the distrust within the organization.

-su-rok (the more... the more).

그는 진급이라는 세속적인 가치보다 예술적 성취를 중시했다.

He valued artistic achievement more than the worldly value of promotion.

Se-sok-jeok (worldly/secular).

진급 시스템의 붕괴는 국가 경쟁력의 약화로 이어진다.

The collapse of the promotion system leads to the weakening of national competitiveness.

-ro i-eo-jin-da (leads to).

진급을 향한 맹목적인 질주는 종종 인간성을 상실하게 만든다.

The blind sprint toward promotion often causes one to lose their humanity.

Maeng-mok-jeok (blind).

Common Collocations

진급 시험

진급 누락

진급 대상자

진급 축하

조기 진급

진급 심사

진급 가도

진급 기회

진급 발령

진급 요건

Common Phrases

진급을 축하합니다

— Standard way to say 'Congratulations on your promotion.'

부장님, 진급을 축하합니다!

제때 진급하다

— To be promoted on schedule without any delays.

그는 동기들과 제때 진급했다.

진급이 빠르다

— To advance through the ranks faster than average.

그는 능력이 좋아서 진급이 빠르다.

진급이 밀리다

— To have one's promotion delayed or pushed back.

인사 적체로 진급이 밀렸다.

진급에 목매다

— To be desperately obsessed with getting promoted.

진급에 목매는 사람이 많다.

진급을 포기하다

— To give up on trying to move up the ranks.

그는 진급을 포기하고 편하게 일한다.

진급의 기쁨

— The joy of being promoted.

가족과 진급의 기쁨을 나누었다.

진급 명단

— The list of people who are being promoted.

진급 명단에 내 이름이 없다.

진급 시기

— The time or season when promotions are announced.

진급 시기가 다가오면 긴장된다.

진급 청탁

— Soliciting or bribing someone for a promotion.

진급 청탁은 불법이다.

Often Confused With

진급하다 vs 승진하다

More common for general corporate job titles.

진급하다 vs 진학하다

Used for moving to a higher school level (e.g., middle school to high school).

진급하다 vs 승격하다

Used for the elevation of an organization's status, not an individual's.

Idioms & Expressions

"진급 가도를 달리다"

— To be on the fast track for promotions.

그는 입사 후 줄곧 진급 가도를 달리고 있다.

Journalistic

"진급의 사다리"

— The ladder of advancement in society or a career.

교육은 가난한 이들에게 진급의 사다리가 되어야 한다.

Academic

"진급 문턱에서 넘어지다"

— To fail to get promoted at the very last moment.

그는 이번에도 진급 문턱에서 넘어졌다.

Metaphorical

"진급 바람이 불다"

— When everyone in an organization is talking about or focused on promotions.

연말이 되자 회사에 진급 바람이 불기 시작했다.

Casual

"진급을 따놓은 당상"

— When a promotion is absolutely guaranteed.

이번 성과로 그는 진급을 따놓은 당상이다.

Colloquial

"진급 줄을 잡다"

— To use connections (a 'line') to get a promotion.

능력보다 진급 줄을 잡는 게 더 빠르다.

Cynical

"진급에 눈이 멀다"

— To be blinded by the desire for promotion, often doing wrong things.

진급에 눈이 멀어 친구를 배신했다.

Literary

"진급 턱을 내다"

— To buy a meal or drinks for others to celebrate one's promotion.

진급했으니 오늘 진급 턱을 내야지!

Social

"진급 꽃길을 걷다"

— To have a very smooth and successful career path with many promotions.

그녀는 입사 이후 계속 진급 꽃길을 걷고 있다.

Modern/Slang

"진급 전쟁"

— The fierce competition among colleagues to get promoted.

대기업의 진급 전쟁은 정말 치열하다.

Common

Easily Confused

진급하다 vs 유급하다

It is the direct opposite.

진급 is moving up; 유급 is staying back in the same grade.

성적이 나빠서 유급했다.

진급하다 vs 강등하다

It also relates to rank change.

강등 is moving down in rank as a punishment.

그는 잘못을 저질러 강등당했다.

진급하다 vs 진전하다

Sounds similar (Jin-).

진전 is about the progress of a situation, not a rank.

대화가 진전되었다.

진급하다 vs 지급하다

Rhymes and sounds similar.

지급 is about paying money or providing goods.

월급을 지급했다.

진급하다 vs 공급하다

Rhymes and sounds similar.

공급 is about supplying resources.

전기를 공급한다.

Sentence Patterns

저는 [Grade]학년으로 진급해요.

저는 3학년으로 진급해요.

[Name]이/가 [Rank](으)로 진급했어요.

민수가 일병으로 진급했어요.

[Reason] 덕분에 [Rank](으)로 진급했다.

열심히 일한 덕분에 과장으로 진급했다.

이번에 [Rank](으)로 진급하게 되었습니다.

이번에 팀장으로 진급하게 되었습니다.

진급을 위해서는 [Requirement]이/가 필수적이다.

진급을 위해서는 영어 성적이 필수적이다.

진급의 기준이 [Adjective]하다는 비판이 있다.

진급의 기준이 불공정하다는 비판이 있다.

General

진급을 축하합니다!

부장님, 진급을 축하합니다!

Causative

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 [Rank](으)로 진급시키다.

사장이 그를 이사로 진급시켰다.

Word Family

Nouns

진급 (promotion)

진급자 (promoted person)

진급식 (promotion ceremony)

진급심사 (promotion review)

Verbs

진급시키다 (to promote someone else)

진급되다 (to be promoted - passive)

Adjectives

진급할 (to be promoted - future participle)

승진 (promotion)

승격 (elevation of status)

진학 (advancing to next school level)

유급 (staying back a grade)

계급 (rank)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in military, school, and corporate contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'eul/reul' with the rank. → Using '-(으)로'.
You don't 'promote the rank'; you 'advance TO the rank'.
Using '진급' for moving to university. → Using '진학'.
'진급' is for grades within a school; '진학' is for moving to a higher school type.
Confusing '진급' with '진전'. → Using '진급' for ranks.
'진전' is for the progress of a meeting or situation, not a person's rank.
Using '승진' for school grades. → Using '진급'.
'승진' is strictly for professional/corporate positions, never for school.
Pronouncing 'geup' as 'goop'. → Pronouncing it with a short 'u' (like 'guppy').
The Korean vowel 'ㅡ' is different from 'ㅜ'.

Tips

Corporate vs. Military

In the military, always use '진급'. In a company, you can use either '진급' or '승진', but '승진' is slightly more common for high-level titles.

The 'Geup' Factor

Remember that 'Geup' (급) means level. If the system you are in uses '급' (like a 9-grade civil service), '진급' is the perfect word.

Celebrating Promotion

In Korea, the person who gets promoted often treats their colleagues to a meal. This is called '진급 턱'.

Opposite Word

The opposite of '진급' (moving up) is '강등' (moving down) or '유급' (staying back).

Congratulations

A common formal way to congratulate someone is '진급을 진심으로 축하드립니다'.

School Grades

For school, '진급' is the standard term used on official documents to indicate a student has moved to the next grade.

Merit vs. Time

'진급' often implies that you have served the required time or passed a specific test to reach the next level.

Noun Compounds

You can combine '진급' with other nouns easily, like '진급 시험' (promotion exam) or '진급 파티' (promotion party).

Politeness

When talking about someone senior to you getting promoted, always use the honorific '진급하셨다'.

Hanja Roots

Knowing that 'Jin' (進) means 'advance' will help you learn other words like '진행' (progress) and '전진' (forward move).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jin' as 'Join' and 'Geup' as 'Up'. You 'Join' the 'Up' level! (Jin-Geup).

Visual Association

Imagine a soldier receiving a new star on their shoulder or a student stepping onto a higher staircase step labeled with a bigger number.

Word Web

Level Rank School Military Office Success Ladder Exam

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using '진급하다': one for a soldier, one for a student, and one for a businessman.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja (Sino-Korean characters) 進 (Jin) and 級 (Geup).

Original meaning: 進 (Jin) means 'to advance' or 'to go forward,' and 級 (Geup) means 'level,' 'step,' or 'grade.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking people about their '진급' status, as it can be a sensitive topic if they were recently passed over for a promotion.

In English, we often just say 'I got promoted.' In Korean, you must choose between 'Jin-geup' (rank) and 'Seung-jin' (position).

The K-Drama 'D.P.' frequently shows the struggle and politics of military '진급'. The webtoon/drama 'Misaeng' depicts the intense stress of corporate '진급'. Historical dramas (Sageuk) often feature the 'Gwageo' exam, the ultimate path to '진급'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Military Service

병장으로 진급하다
진급 심사
진급 누락
조기 진급

Corporate Office

과장으로 진급하다
진급 파티
진급 대상자
진급을 축하하다

Schooling

다음 학년으로 진급하다
진급을 못 하다
무사히 진급하다
진급 시기

Government/Civil Service

5급으로 진급하다
진급 발령
순차적 진급
진급 정체

Gaming/Sports

상위 리그로 진급하다
진급전 (promotion match)
티어 진급
진급에 성공하다

Conversation Starters

"이번 진급 시즌에 좋은 소식 있으셨나요? (Did you have any good news during this promotion season?)"

"군대에서 언제 진급하셨어요? (When were you promoted in the military?)"

"진급하면 가장 먼저 무엇을 하고 싶으세요? (What's the first thing you want to do if you get promoted?)"

"한국 회사는 진급하기가 정말 힘든가요? (Is it really hard to get promoted in Korean companies?)"

"아이들이 몇 학년으로 진급하나요? (Which grade are the children advancing to?)"

Journal Prompts

내가 지금까지 살면서 가장 기뻤던 진급의 순간에 대해 써보세요. (Write about the happiest promotion/advancement moment in your life.)

진급을 위해 가장 중요한 능력은 무엇이라고 생각하시나요? (What do you think is the most important ability for promotion?)

진급이 인생에서 얼마나 중요하다고 생각하는지 자신의 의견을 적어보세요. (Write your opinion on how important promotion is in life.)

만약 내가 사장이라면 어떤 기준으로 직원을 진급시킬 것인지 계획해 보세요. (If you were the CEO, plan the criteria for promoting employees.)

진급 누락을 겪었을 때 어떻게 극복할 수 있을까요? (How can one overcome being passed over for a promotion?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not directly. While a promotion (진급) usually results in a pay raise, the word itself only refers to the change in rank. To talk specifically about a raise, use '연봉이 오르다' or '임금이 인상되다'.

진급 (Jin-geup) is moving up a specific 'grade' or 'rank' (like 1st grade to 2nd grade). 승진 (Seung-jin) is a more general term for moving up to a higher position or title in a company.

Yes, it can be used when a team moves from a lower league to a higher league (e.g., Division 2 to Division 1), although '승격' is also very common in that context.

You use the phrase '진급에서 누락되다' (to be omitted from the promotion) or simply '진급을 못 하다'.

Yes, if the game has a rank system (like Bronze, Silver, Gold), you can say '골드로 진급했다'. However, for individual level-ups, '레벨업' is more common.

It means 'early promotion.' This happens when someone is promoted before the usual required time because of exceptional performance.

No. For moving to a higher-level school (e.g., elementary to middle), use '진학하다'. '진급' is only for moving up grades within the same school.

Yes, you add '-si-' to make it '진급하시다'. For example, '부장님께서 진급하셨습니다' (The manager was promoted).

You should use the particle '-(으)로'. For example: '과장으로 진급하다'.

'진급' is a noun meaning 'promotion/advancement.' Adding '하다' makes it the verb 'to be promoted/to advance'.