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주도권

B2 noun #3,500 most common 9 min read

주도권

judogwon Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 주도권 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 주도권 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '주도권' (Judogwon) in complex ways. Think of it as meaning 'the leader' or 'the boss' in a game or a simple group activity. If you are playing a game with friends and you are the one deciding what to do next, you have the '주도권'. You can remember it as 'the power to lead'. In simple Korean, you might just say '내가 대장이야' (I am the boss), but '주도권' is the more grown-up way to say you are taking charge. Even at this level, knowing this word helps you understand when people are talking about who is winning or who is in control of a situation. For example, in a soccer game, if your team is moving the ball toward the goal a lot, your team has the '주도권'. Just think: Who is making the decisions right now? That person has the '주도권'.

At the A2 level, you can start using '주도권' with simple verbs like '있다' (to have) or '잡다' (to catch/take). It's a useful word when talking about school projects or sports. For instance, '우리 팀이 주도권을 잡았어요' (Our team took the lead). This shows you understand that leadership can change during an activity. You might also hear this word in basic news stories or when teachers talk about 'self-directed learning' (자기주도 학습). It's an important word for describing social dynamics. If you are in a group of friends and one person always decides where to eat, you can say that person has the '주도권'. It's more formal than just saying someone is 'strong' or 'loud'; it specifically means they have the power to direct what happens next. Try to use it when you want to describe who is leading a conversation.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '주도권' in business and social contexts. You should understand that it's not just about being a leader, but about having a strategic advantage. For example, in a negotiation, the person who sets the price often holds the '주도권'. You will see this word frequently in intermediate reading passages about society, competition, and psychology. You should learn the common collocations like '주도권을 쥐다' (to hold the initiative) and '주도권을 빼앗기다' (to have the initiative taken away). At this level, you can also use it to describe relationships. For instance, '누가 대화의 주도권을 쥐고 있어요?' (Who is holding the initiative of the conversation?). This level of usage shows you can analyze the power balance in a room. It's a key word for moving from basic descriptions to more analytical ones.

At the B2 level, '주도권' becomes a vital tool for expressing nuanced ideas about power and influence. You should be able to use it to discuss market trends, political shifts, and complex social interactions. For example, you might say, '기술 혁신을 통해 시장의 주도권을 확보하는 것이 기업의 생존 전략입니다' (Securing the market initiative through technological innovation is a company's survival strategy). You should also understand the difference between '주도권' and similar words like '패권' (hegemony) or '결정권' (decision-making power). At this level, you can use the word to talk about abstract concepts, like 'the initiative in one's own life.' It is no longer just about games or meetings; it's about agency and the ability to influence outcomes on a larger scale. You should be able to identify who holds the '주도권' in a complex text and explain why using supporting details.

At the C1 level, you are expected to use '주도권' with high-level vocabulary and sophisticated grammar. You should understand its implications in geopolitical discourse and high-level corporate strategy. For instance, you might analyze how 'soft power' allows a nation to maintain '주도권' in international cultural spheres without using military force. You should be familiar with more advanced verbs like '행사하다' (to exercise) or '장악하다' (to seize/dominate). You can use '주도권' to discuss historical shifts, such as how the '주도권' of global trade moved from the Atlantic to the Pacific. At this level, your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight and its role in defining power structures. You should also be able to use it metaphorically in literature or philosophical discussions about free will and societal control.

At the C2 level, '주도권' is a word you can use to navigate the most complex linguistic environments. You can use it to deconstruct power dynamics in academic papers, legal arguments, or high-level diplomacy. You might discuss the 'ontological 주도권' in a philosophical debate or the 'structural 주도권' within a specific legal framework. You should be able to manipulate the word in various rhetorical styles, using it to persuade, analyze, or critique. For example, you could write a critique of how algorithmic '주도권' is reshaping human decision-making processes. At this level, the word is a precise instrument for identifying and discussing the subtle and overt ways that power is distributed and exercised in any given system. You should have a near-native grasp of all its nuances, from the most casual social setting to the most formal international stage.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

주도권 in 30 Seconds

주도권 means 'initiative' or 'the upper hand' in any situational context.
It is a Sino-Korean word: 主 (master) + 導 (lead) + 權 (power).
Commonly used with verbs like 잡다 (take), 쥐다 (hold), and 빼앗다 (lose/snatch).
Applicable in business, sports, politics, and personal relationships to describe power balance.

The Korean word 주도권 (Judogwon) is a powerful Sino-Korean noun that translates most accurately to 'initiative,' 'leadership,' or 'the upper hand.' At its core, it describes the position of being the person or entity that directs the flow of events, makes the primary decisions, or holds the power to influence the outcome of a situation. It is not merely about being a 'leader' in a formal title sense, but rather about possessing the functional power to command a specific moment or relationship. Whether you are discussing a high-stakes business negotiation, a competitive sports match, or even the subtle dynamics of a romantic relationship, 주도권 is the term used to identify who is in the driver's seat.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is composed of three Hanja characters: 主 (Ju) meaning 'master' or 'main,' 導 (Do) meaning 'to lead' or 'to guide,' and 權 (Gwon) meaning 'power' or 'right.' Together, they literally mean 'the power to lead as the master.'

우리 팀이 경기 초반부터 주도권을 잡았습니다. (Our team took the initiative from the beginning of the game.)

In social contexts, Koreans use this word to analyze power balances. For instance, in a debate, if one person is successfully steering the conversation toward their preferred topics, they are said to have the 주도권. It is a highly strategic word. Unlike 'leadership' (리더십), which often refers to a personality trait or a set of skills, 주도권 is a situational asset that can be seized, lost, or handed over. It is dynamic and often contested.

Usage in Business: In the corporate world, this word frequently appears during discussions about market share or contract negotiations. A company that sets the standard for a new technology is said to hold the market's 주도권.

협상에서 주도권을 잃지 않는 것이 중요합니다. (It is important not to lose the initiative in negotiations.)

The nuance of 주도권 also extends to geopolitical discussions. When news outlets talk about international relations, they often discuss which nation holds the 주도권 in a particular region. This implies a level of hegemony or dominant influence that dictates the actions of others. It is a word that carries weight, suggesting that the holder is not just participating, but is fundamentally in control of the trajectory of events.

Personal Relationships: Interestingly, in modern Korean slang or dating discussions, people often talk about who has the 주도권 in a 'ssam' (flirting) stage or a relationship. It refers to who is more emotionally influential or who makes the decisions about where to go and what to do.

그는 연애의 주도권을 쥐고 싶어 해요. (He wants to hold the upper hand in the relationship.)

시장의 주도권이 소비자에게 넘어갔습니다. (The initiative in the market has shifted to the consumers.)

Mastering 주도권 requires understanding its common verb pairings. In Korean, nouns like this are rarely used in isolation; they function as part of specific 'collocations' or word partnerships. The most frequent verbs you will see are 잡다 (to catch/grab), 쥐다 (to hold/grasp), 빼앗다 (to snatch/take away), and 넘겨주다 (to hand over). Each of these creates a vivid image of power being a physical object that can be moved from person to person.

1. 주도권을 잡다 (To take/grab the initiative): This is used when someone actively steps up to lead or gains the advantage at the start of an event.

신제품 출시로 우리 회사가 시장의 주도권을 잡았습니다. (With the launch of the new product, our company took the lead in the market.)

When you use 잡다, it implies a successful action of taking control. It is often used in sports commentary to describe a team that has started to dominate the match. It suggests a decisive moment of transition.

2. 주도권을 쥐다 (To hold/wield the initiative): This emphasizes the ongoing state of being in control. While '잡다' is the act of taking it, '쥐다' is the state of possessing it in one's hand (fist).

그녀는 대화의 주도권을 쥐고 분위기를 이끌었습니다. (She held the initiative of the conversation and led the atmosphere.)

3. 주도권을 빼앗기다 (To have the initiative taken away): This is the passive form, used when you lose your lead or control to an opponent or competitor.

상대 팀의 역습에 주도권을 빼앗겼습니다. (We lost the initiative to the opposing team's counterattack.)

This phrasing is common in political analysis or military history, where the shift of power is a central theme. It highlights a sense of loss or a failure to maintain dominance.

4. 주도권을 행사하다 (To exercise the initiative/right to lead): This is a more formal expression, often used in legal or official contexts to describe the actual use of one's leading power.

의장은 회의에서 강력한 주도권을 행사했습니다. (The chairperson exercised strong leadership/initiative during the meeting.)

누가 주도권을 갖느냐가 이번 협상의 핵심입니다. (Who holds the initiative is the key to this negotiation.)

In South Korea, 주도권 is a staple of news broadcasts, sports commentary, and corporate meeting rooms. If you turn on the evening news, you are likely to hear it within the first ten minutes, especially if the report covers politics or the economy. For example, when two political parties are fighting over a new bill, the anchor will likely mention which party has the 주도권 in the National Assembly.

Sports Commentary: This is perhaps the most common place for learners to encounter the word in a high-energy setting. Announcers will scream it during soccer or baseball games.

후반전에 들어서며 홈 팀이 완전히 주도권을 가져왔습니다! (Entering the second half, the home team has completely taken the initiative!)

In this context, it describes the 'momentum' or 'flow' of the game. It’s the feeling that one team is attacking more, controlling the ball more, and dictating the pace of the match.

Business and Tech News: Articles about Samsung, SK Hynix, or global giants like Apple frequently use this word to describe technological hegemony.

AI 반도체 시장의 주도권 싸움이 치열합니다. (The fight for leadership in the AI semiconductor market is intense.)

You will also hear this word in educational or self-help contexts. Modern Korean pedagogy emphasizes 자기주도적 학습 (self-directed learning). Here, the '주도' part refers to the student taking the lead in their own education, rather than just following a teacher's instructions. While it's a slightly different grammatical form, the root concept of 주도권—having the power to direct the process—is the same.

Talk Shows and Variety Programs: On shows like 'Knowing Bros' or 'Running Man,' cast members often joke about who is the 'main character' of a particular segment by saying they have taken the 주도권 of the talk.

오늘 게스트가 토크의 주도권을 꽉 잡고 있네요! (The guest today is really holding the initiative of the talk tightly!)

미래 에너지 산업의 주도권을 확보해야 합니다. (We must secure the initiative in the future energy industry.)

While 주도권 is a versatile word, learners often confuse it with other leadership-related terms or use it with the wrong verbs. One of the most common mistakes is treating it as a synonym for 'leadership' (리더십) in all contexts. While they are related, 리더십 is usually a personal quality (e.g., 'He has great leadership'), whereas 주도권 is a situational status or a right (e.g., 'He has the initiative in this meeting'). You wouldn't say someone 'has a lot of 주도권' to mean they are a good leader; you would say they 'hold the 주도권' in a specific situation.

Mistake 1: Confusing 주도권 with 주도 (Judo): '주도' is the noun form of 'leading' or 'taking the lead.' '주도권' is the *right* or *power* to lead. You 'lead' (주도하다) a project, but you 'hold the power to lead' (주도권을 쥐다).

Incorrect: 나는 이 프로젝트의 주도권을 했다.
Correct: 나는 이 프로젝트를 주도했다. (I led this project.)

Another common error is using the wrong particles. Since 주도권 is often the object of verbs like '잡다' or '쥐다', it needs the object marker 을/를. If you are describing the *subject* that has the power, use 이/가. However, learners often mix these up when trying to say 'The power shifted.'

Mistake 2: Using '있다' for everything: While '주도권이 있다' (to have the initiative) is grammatically correct, it is often too static. Native speakers prefer more dynamic verbs like '잡다' or '가져오다'.

More Natural: 우리가 주도권을 가져와야 해요. (We need to bring the initiative to us / take the lead.)

Lastly, be careful with the word 권력 (Gwon-ryeok - political power). While both involve 'power' (권), 권력 is usually about systemic, institutional power (like a king or a president), while 주도권 is about the tactical power in a specific interaction. If you are winning a debate, you have the 주도권, not necessarily 권력.

Mistake 3: Overusing it in casual friendship: Using '주도권' in a simple hangout (e.g., 'I have the 주도권 for where we eat') can sound a bit overly serious or dramatic. In such cases, '결정권' (right to decide) might be more appropriate.

이번 여행의 장소 결정권은 너한테 있어. (The right to decide the location for this trip is yours.)

To sound more like a native speaker, it is helpful to know the synonyms and related terms that can replace 주도권 in specific contexts. While 주도권 is the most comprehensive term for 'the initiative,' other words might be more precise depending on whether you are talking about decision-making, physical control, or historical hegemony.

1. 결정권 (Gyeol-jeong-gwon) - Decision-making Power: Use this when the focus is specifically on who gets to make the final choice. While 주도권 is about leading the process, 결정권 is about the final 'yes' or 'no'.

최종 결정권은 사장님께 있습니다. (The final decision-making power lies with the CEO.)

In a team, many people might share the 주도권 during a brainstorming session, but only one person usually has the 결정권.

2. 패권 (Pae-gwon) - Hegemony / Supremacy: This is a much 'larger' word. It is used for international relations, historical empires, or massive industrial dominance. It implies a level of power that is almost impossible to challenge.

세계 경제의 패권을 다투는 두 나라. (Two countries competing for global economic hegemony.)

3. 선제권 (Seon-je-gwon) - Preemptive Right / First Move: This refers to the right or advantage of acting first. In games like chess or Go, the person who moves first has a certain 선제권.

우리가 먼저 공격해서 선제권을 확보해야 합니다. (We must attack first to secure the preemptive advantage.)

While 주도권 can be maintained throughout a whole process, 선제권 is usually about the very beginning of an interaction.

4. 통제권 (Tong-je-gwon) - Control / Command: This is used when the focus is on managing or restricting something. A pilot has 통제권 over an aircraft.

시스템에 대한 통제권을 잃었습니다. (We lost control over the system.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 權 (Gwon) also means a 'weight' used on a scale, implying that power is something that can shift the balance of a situation.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɕu.do.ɡwʌn/

US /tɕu.do.ɡwʌn/

The stress is relatively even, but a slight emphasis is often placed on the first syllable '주'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires understanding of Sino-Korean roots and context-specific nuances.

Writing 4/5

Must use correct collocations (잡다, 쥐다) to sound natural.

Speaking 3/5

Common in professional and sports contexts, useful for intermediate learners.

Listening 4/5

Frequently heard in news and media, often spoken quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

주인 (Owner) 지도 (Leading/Guide) 권리 (Right) 힘 (Power) 잡다 (To catch)

Learn Next

패권 (Hegemony) 장악하다 (To dominate) 우위 (Superiority) 열세 (Inferiority) 선점 (Preemption)

Advanced

제패 (Conquest) 독점 (Monopoly) 영향력 (Influence) 결정권자 (Decision-maker)

Grammar to Know

을/를 잡다 (To catch/take an object)

주도권을 잡았습니다.

에 대한 주도권 (Initiative over/about something)

삶에 대한 주도권을 가집시다.

에게 ~을/를 빼앗기다 (To have something snatched by someone)

상대에게 주도권을 빼앗겼다.

기 위한 (In order to... for a noun)

주도권을 잡기 위한 노력.

중요한 것은 ~이다 (The important thing is...)

중요한 것은 주도권을 잃지 않는 것이다.

Examples by Level

게임에서 주도권을 잡아요.

Take the lead in the game.

주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 잡아요 (verb: to catch/take).

누가 주도권을 가지고 있어요?

Who has the initiative?

누가 (who) + 주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 가지고 있어요 (verb: to have/hold).

우리가 주도권을 잡았어요!

We took the lead!

우리가 (we) + 주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 잡았어요 (past tense verb: took).

주도권을 잃지 마세요.

Don't lose the initiative.

주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 잃지 마세요 (negative imperative: don't lose).

친구와 주도권을 나눠요.

Share the initiative with your friend.

친구와 (with friend) + 주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 나눠요 (verb: to share).

선생님이 주도권을 잡으셨어요.

The teacher took the lead.

선생님 (teacher) + 이 (subject marker) + 주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 잡으셨어요 (honorific past tense: took).

아이들이 주도권을 원해요.

The children want the initiative.

아이들 (children) + 이 (subject marker) + 주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 원해요 (verb: to want).

주도권이 중요해요.

The initiative is important.

주도권 (noun) + 이 (subject marker) + 중요해요 (adjective: to be important).

회의에서 주도권을 잡는 것이 어려워요.

It is difficult to take the initiative in meetings.

-는 것 (making a verb into a noun phrase) + 어려워요 (it's difficult).

그는 대화의 주도권을 항상 쥐고 있어요.

He always holds the initiative in conversations.

대화의 (of the conversation) + 주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 쥐고 있어요 (present continuous: is holding).

이번 경기에서 주도권을 빼앗겼습니다.

We lost the initiative in this match.

빼앗겼습니다 (passive past tense: was snatched/lost).

누구에게 주도권이 있는지 확인하세요.

Check who has the initiative.

-는지 (indirect question marker) + 확인하세요 (imperative: check).

주도권을 가져오기 위해 노력해야 해요.

We must work hard to bring the initiative to us.

-기 위해 (in order to) + 노력해야 해요 (must make an effort).

그녀는 무대 위에서 주도권을 잡았습니다.

She took control on the stage.

무대 위에서 (on the stage) + 주도권 (noun) + 을 (object marker) + 잡았습니다 (past tense).

주도권을 넘겨주는 것은 좋지 않아요.

It's not good to hand over the initiative.

넘겨주는 것 (handing over) + 은 (topic marker) + 좋지 않아요 (is not good).

시장의 주도권이 바뀌고 있어요.

The initiative in the market is changing.

시장의 (market's) + 주도권 (noun) + 이 (subject marker) + 바뀌고 있어요 (is changing).

협상에서 주도권을 잡기 위해 철저히 준비했습니다.

I prepared thoroughly to take the initiative in the negotiation.

협상 (negotiation) + 에서 (in) + -기 위해 (in order to) + 철저히 (thoroughly).

상대방의 실수로 우리가 주도권을 다시 가져왔습니다.

We regained the initiative due to the opponent's mistake.

상대방의 (opponent's) + 실수 (mistake) + -로 (due to/by).

그 기업은 기술력을 바탕으로 시장의 주도권을 쥐었습니다.

The company held the market initiative based on its technological prowess.

바탕으로 (based on) + 쥐었습니다 (past tense: held/grasped).

자기주도권이 있는 사람은 스스로 목표를 세웁니다.

A person with self-initiative sets their own goals.

자기주도권 (self-initiative) + 세웁니다 (sets/establishes).

부모가 아이의 모든 주도권을 가져서는 안 됩니다.

Parents should not take all the initiative from their children.

-어서는 안 됩니다 (should not do something).

토론의 주도권이 한쪽으로 치우치지 않게 하세요.

Make sure the initiative of the debate doesn't lean to one side.

치우치지 않게 (so that it doesn't lean/be biased).

프로젝트의 주도권을 누가 행사할지 결정해야 합니다.

We must decide who will exercise the initiative of the project.

행사할지 (whether to exercise) + 결정해야 합니다 (must decide).

주도권을 잃으면 다시 찾기가 매우 힘듭니다.

Once you lose the initiative, it's very hard to find it again.

-기가 (making a verb a subject) + 힘듭니다 (is difficult).

신산업 분야에서 주도권을 확보하기 위한 경쟁이 치열합니다.

Competition to secure the initiative in the new industry sector is intense.

확보하기 위한 (for securing) + 경쟁 (competition) + 치열합니다 (is fierce).

정부는 경제 정책의 주도권을 잃지 않으려고 노력 중입니다.

The government is trying not to lose the initiative in economic policy.

-지 않으려고 (in order not to) + 노력 중입니다 (in the middle of trying).

문화적 주도권은 한 나라의 소프트파워를 보여줍니다.

Cultural initiative shows a country's soft power.

문화적 (cultural) + 보여줍니다 (shows/demonstrates).

소비자가 시장의 주도권을 쥐게 된 것은 정보의 비대칭이 해소되었기 때문입니다.

Consumers holding the market initiative is because information asymmetry has been resolved.

-기 때문입니다 (it is because...) + 해소되다 (to be resolved).

그는 교묘한 말솜씨로 대화의 주도권을 완전히 장악했습니다.

He completely seized the initiative of the conversation with his clever speech.

장악했습니다 (seized/dominated) + 교묘한 (clever/cunning).

노사 협상에서 누가 주도권을 잡느냐가 관건입니다.

Who takes the initiative in labor-management negotiations is the key.

관건입니다 (is the key/crucial point).

역사적으로 해상 주도권을 가진 나라가 세계를 지배했습니다.

Historically, countries that held maritime initiative ruled the world.

해상 (maritime) + 지배했습니다 (ruled/dominated).

자신의 삶에 대한 주도권을 회복하는 것이 치유의 시작입니다.

Regaining the initiative over one's own life is the beginning of healing.

회복하는 것 (recovering/regaining) + 치유 (healing).

강대국들은 우주 개발의 주도권을 선점하기 위해 천문학적인 비용을 투입하고 있습니다.

Great powers are investing astronomical costs to preemptively secure the initiative in space development.

선점하기 위해 (to preempt) + 투입하고 있습니다 (are investing/inputting).

디지털 전환 시대에는 데이터 주도권을 가진 기업이 생태계를 지배하게 됩니다.

In the era of digital transformation, companies with data initiative come to dominate the ecosystem.

디지털 전환 (digital transformation) + 생태계 (ecosystem).

그 정치인은 여론의 주도권을 잡기 위해 파격적인 행보를 보였습니다.

That politician took unconventional steps to seize the initiative of public opinion.

파격적인 (unconventional/radical) + 행보 (steps/moves).

심리전에서 주도권을 빼앗기면 논리적인 대응조차 불가능해집니다.

If you lose the initiative in psychological warfare, even logical responses become impossible.

심리전 (psychological warfare) + 대응조차 (even a response).

이 조약은 특정 국가가 지역 주도권을 행사하는 것을 방지하기 위해 체결되었습니다.

This treaty was signed to prevent a specific country from exercising regional initiative.

방지하기 위해 (to prevent) + 체결되었습니다 (was signed/concluded).

지식 기반 사회에서 정보의 주도권은 곧 권력과 직결됩니다.

In a knowledge-based society, the initiative of information is directly linked to power.

직결됩니다 (is directly connected).

플랫폼 기업들은 네트워크 효과를 통해 시장 주도권을 공고히 하고 있습니다.

Platform companies are solidifying their market initiative through network effects.

공고히 하고 있습니다 (are solidifying/making firm).

전통적인 미디어는 뉴미디어에게 콘텐츠 주도권을 점차 내주고 있습니다.

Traditional media is gradually giving up content initiative to new media.

내주고 있습니다 (is giving away/yielding).

탈근대 사회에서 주체의 주도권은 담론의 구조에 의해 끊임없이 재구성됩니다.

In postmodern society, the subject's initiative is constantly reconstructed by the structure of discourse.

탈근대 (postmodern) + 담론 (discourse) + 재구성됩니다 (is reconstructed).

지정학적 주도권의 이동은 기존의 국제 질서를 근본적으로 뒤흔드는 요인이 됩니다.

The shift in geopolitical initiative becomes a factor that fundamentally shakes the existing international order.

지정학적 (geopolitical) + 근본적으로 (fundamentally) + 뒤흔드는 (shaking).

인공지능의 자율성이 증대됨에 따라 인간의 결정 주도권에 대한 윤리적 논의가 시급합니다.

As the autonomy of AI increases, ethical discussions about human decision-making initiative are urgent.

증대됨에 따라 (as it increases) + 시급합니다 (is urgent).

자본의 논리가 예술적 주도권을 잠식하면서 창작의 자유가 위축될 우려가 있습니다.

As the logic of capital encroaches on artistic initiative, there is a concern that the freedom of creation may be withered.

잠식하면서 (while encroaching) + 위축될 우려 (concern of withering/shrinking).

헤게모니 이론에 따르면, 지배 계급은 문화적 주도권을 통해 피지배 계급의 동의를 이끌어냅니다.

According to hegemony theory, the ruling class elicits the consent of the ruled class through cultural initiative.

피지배 계급 (the ruled class) + 동의 (consent).

기술적 표준의 주도권을 선점하는 것이야말로 글로벌 패권 경쟁의 핵심 동력입니다.

Preempting the initiative of technical standards is indeed the core driving force of the global hegemony competition.

-이야말로 (indeed/precisely) + 동력 (driving force).

법적 담론 내에서 해석의 주도권을 누가 쥐느냐에 따라 판결의 향방이 달라집니다.

The direction of the ruling changes depending on who holds the initiative of interpretation within legal discourse.

해석 (interpretation) + 향방 (direction/course).

환경 규제의 주도권을 확보하려는 선진국들의 시도는 새로운 무역 장벽으로 작용할 수 있습니다.

Attempts by developed countries to secure initiative in environmental regulation can act as new trade barriers.

작용할 수 있습니다 (can act/function as).

Synonyms

헤게모니 지배권 통제권 영향력

Antonyms

피동 종속

Common Collocations

주도권을 잡다

주도권을 쥐다

주도권을 빼앗기다

주도권을 행사하다

주도권을 확보하다

주도권을 다투다

주도권을 넘겨주다

주도권을 잃다

강력한 주도권

주도권 싸움

Common Phrases

누가 주도권을 잡느냐

— Referring to who will take the lead. It emphasizes the importance of the leader's identity.

이번 프로젝트에서 누가 주도권을 잡느냐가 성공의 관건이다.

주도권을 꽉 쥐다

— To hold the initiative very firmly. It implies total control.

그는 협상 테이블에서 주도권을 꽉 쥐고 놓지 않았다.

주도권이 넘어가다

— The initiative has shifted to someone else. It describes a change in power balance.

이제 주도권은 소비자에게 넘어갔다.

주도권을 되찾다

— To regain the initiative after losing it. It implies a successful comeback.

우리 팀은 후반전에 주도권을 되찾았다.

주도권을 내주다

— To give up or yield the initiative, often unintentionally or by force.

방심하다가 상대에게 주도권을 내주고 말았다.

주도권을 선점하다

— To take the initiative before anyone else can. It is a proactive and strategic move.

신기술 개발을 통해 시장 주도권을 선점해야 한다.

주도권을 유지하다

— To keep or maintain the initiative over a period of time.

끝까지 주도권을 유지하는 것이 승리의 비결이다.

주도권을 분산하다

— To distribute the power of initiative among multiple people or groups.

권력 집중을 막기 위해 주도권을 분산시켰다.

주도권을 이용하다

— To make use of one's leading position to achieve a goal.

그는 자신의 주도권을 이용해 유리한 계약을 맺었다.

주도권이 없다

— To have no power to lead or make decisions in a situation.

나는 이 모임에서 아무런 주도권이 없다.

Often Confused With

주도권 vs 리더십

Leadership refers to a person's quality or skill; 주도권 refers to the situational power itself.

주도권 vs 권력

Gwon-ryeok is systemic or institutional power; 주도권 is tactical or situational initiative.

주도권 vs 지배

Ji-bae is long-term dominance or rule; 주도권 can be fleeting and change multiple times in a game.

Idioms & Expressions

"칼자루를 쥐다"

— To hold the handle of the knife; to be in a position of power to decide someone's fate. Similar to holding the '주도권'.

이번 협상에서 우리가 칼자루를 쥐고 있다.

Informal/Idiomatic

"운전대를 잡다"

— To take the steering wheel; to take charge of a situation. Directly related to taking the '주도권'.

이제 네가 이 프로젝트의 운전대를 잡아라.

Metaphorical

"판을 짜다"

— To set the stage or design the situation. Holding the '주도권' often allows one to '판을 짜다'.

그는 자신이 주도권을 잡고 판을 새로 짰다.

Strategic

"고삐를 죄다"

— To tighten the reins; to increase control or pressure. Used when one has the '주도권' and wants to maintain it.

주도권을 잡았을 때 고삐를 더 죄어야 한다.

Metaphorical

"목덜미를 잡다"

— To grab someone by the scruff of the neck; to have someone in a vulnerable position where you hold the '주도권'.

그의 약점을 잡아서 주도권을 가져왔다.

Informal

"바람을 타다"

— To ride the wind; to take advantage of a favorable trend to gain '주도권'.

우리 회사는 디지털 트렌드의 바람을 타고 주도권을 잡았다.

Metaphorical

"깃발을 꽂다"

— To plant a flag; to claim dominance or be the first to enter a market/area, thus gaining '주도권'.

그는 신시장에 가장 먼저 깃발을 꽂아 주도권을 선점했다.

Business

"주도권을 놓고 다투다"

— To fight over the initiative. A common way to describe a power struggle.

두 후보가 선거 주도권을 놓고 다투고 있다.

Neutral

"상석에 앉다"

— To sit in the seat of honor; metaphorically to be in the leading position.

그는 실력으로 업계의 상석에 앉아 주도권을 행사했다.

Cultural

"기를 꺾다"

— To break someone's spirit/energy. Doing this often leads to taking the '주도권' from them.

상대의 기를 꺾어 주도권을 완전히 가져왔다.

Casual

Easily Confused

주도권 vs 주도

Both share the same root meaning 'to lead'.

주도 is the act of leading; 주도권 is the power/right to do so. You can lead (주도) without having the formal power (주도권), though they usually go together.

그의 주도로 회의가 시작되었지만, 실제 주도권은 사장님이 쥐고 있었다.

주도권 vs 결정권

Both involve making choices.

주도권 is about leading the process and the flow; 결정권 is specifically about the authority to make the final choice.

내가 회의를 주도했지만, 결정권은 부장님께 있다.

주도권 vs 통제권

Both involve control.

통제권 is about managing or restricting a system/object; 주도권 is about leading or taking initiative in a dynamic situation with other people.

기계에 대한 통제권과 팀 내에서의 주도권은 다르다.

주도권 vs 패권

Both mean dominance.

패권 is used for large-scale, long-term hegemony (nations, industries); 주도권 is used for specific situations (matches, meetings).

동북아의 패권과 이번 협상의 주도권.

주도권 vs 선제권

Both involve taking the lead.

선제권 is specifically about the advantage of moving first; 주도권 is about maintaining the lead throughout the process.

선제권을 잡은 사람이 주도권을 유지하기 쉽다.

Sentence Patterns

A가 주도권을 잡았어요.

우리 팀이 주도권을 잡았어요.

A가 B의 주도권을 쥐고 있어요.

그가 대화의 주도권을 쥐고 있어요.

A를 위해 주도권을 확보해야 합니다.

성공을 위해 주도권을 확보해야 합니다.

A는 B에게 주도권을 내주지 않으려 합니다.

정부는 시장에게 주도권을 내주지 않으려 합니다.

주도권이 있어요?

주도권을 빼앗겼어요.

A의 주도권은 B에 의해 제약됩니다.

개인의 주도권은 법에 의해 제약됩니다.

누가 주도권을 잡느냐가 중요합니다.

Word Family

Nouns

주도 (Leadership/Initiative)

권리 (Right/Privilege)

권력 (Power/Authority)

지도권 (Leadership right)

Verbs

주도하다 (To lead/spearhead)

주도되다 (To be led/spearheaded)

Adjectives

주도적 (Leading/Initiative-taking)

자기주도적 (Self-directed)

리더십 (Leadership)

지휘 (Command)

통제 (Control)

영향 (Influence)

패권 (Hegemony)

How to Use It

frequency

High in news, sports, and business. Medium in daily life.

Common Mistakes

주도권을 하다 → 주도권을 잡다 / 주도하다
You cannot 'do' an initiative. You either 'take' (잡다) the power or you 'lead' (주도하다) the action.
리더십을 잡다 → 주도권을 잡다 / 리더십이 있다
You 'have' leadership (a quality), but you 'take' the initiative (a situational power).
주도권이 크다 → 주도권이 강력하다 / 주도권을 꽉 쥐고 있다
Initiative isn't usually described as 'big'. It is 'strong' (강력하다) or 'firmly held'.
주도권을 던지다 → 주도권을 넘겨주다
You don't 'throw' the initiative. You 'hand it over' (넘겨주다) or 'yield' (내주다) it.
주도권을 이기다 → 주도권을 잡다 / 승리하다
You don't 'win' the initiative; you 'take' it to help you win the overall game.

Tips

Verb Pairing

Always remember the verbs '잡다' (take) and '쥐다' (hold). These are the most natural pairings for '주도권'. Using '하다' with '주도권' is usually incorrect; use '주도하다' instead.

Business Etiquette

In a Korean business context, claiming you have the '주도권' too loudly can seem arrogant. Instead, focus on '확보하다' (securing) the initiative for the benefit of the project.

Particle Choice

Use '을/를' when you are the one doing something to the initiative (taking it, losing it). Use '이/가' when you are describing its existence or its movement (the initiative is with him, the initiative shifted).

Hierarchy

Understand that in Korea, hierarchy often dictates who *should* have the '주도권'. Challenging this can be seen as bold or disrespectful, depending on how it's done.

Hanja Power

Learning the Hanja 主 (master), 導 (lead), and 權 (power) will help you understand dozens of other related words like 주인, 지도, and 권리.

Emphasis

In a debate, saying '제가 주도권을 잡고 진행하겠습니다' (I will take the lead and proceed) is a polite but firm way to establish control of the flow.

Variety

Avoid repeating '주도권' too often in a paragraph. Switch to '리드' or '우위' to keep your writing dynamic.

News Cues

When you hear '주도권' in a news report, look for visual cues like graphs or maps to see who is currently 'winning' the situation being described.

Game Theory

If you play games like StarCraft or Go, think of the moment you start attacking as '주도권을 잡는 순간'. It helps internalize the meaning.

Group Work

In group settings, having '주도권' also means having the responsibility to ensure everyone's voices are heard. It's not just about power, but about direction.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Jewel' (주) that you 'Do' (도) want to 'Get' (권). To get the jewel, you must take the initiative (주도권)!

Visual Association

Imagine a steering wheel (운전대). The person holding the wheel has the 주도권 over where the car goes.

Word Web

Power Lead Initiative Upper hand Negotiation Sports Market Control

Challenge

Try to identify who has the '주도권' in the next movie you watch. Write down one sentence in Korean describing that person using '주도권을 잡다'.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean (Hanja) word. It consists of three characters: 主, 導, and 權.

Original meaning: The power (權) to lead (導) as the master or main person (主).

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too aggressive when using this word in personal relationships, as it implies a desire for control.

English speakers often use 'the upper hand' or 'calling the shots' for situational leadership, which maps well to '주도권'.

The term '자기주도 학습' (Self-directed learning) is a major buzzword in the Korean education system. In the drama 'Itaewon Class', the protagonist fights for market 주도권 against a massive food conglomerate. Political commentators frequently use '주도권' to describe the shifting power between the ruling and opposition parties.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Negotiation

협상의 주도권을 잡다
유리한 고지를 점하다
조건을 제시하다
양보를 끌어내다

Sports Match

경기의 주도권을 쥐다
파상공세를 펼치다
역습을 허용하다
승기를 굳히다

Politics

정국의 주도권을 잡다
여론을 이끌다
정책을 추진하다
야권과 대립하다

Dating/Relationships

연애의 주도권
밀당 (Push and pull)
마음을 얻다
리드하다

Market/Economy

시장 주도권 확보
기술 혁신
경쟁 우위
점유율 확대

Conversation Starters

"비즈니스 협상에서 주도권을 잡는 가장 좋은 방법은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"

"축구 경기에서 한 팀이 주도권을 잃었을 때 어떻게 다시 찾아올 수 있을까요?"

"연인 관계에서 주도권이라는 것이 존재한다고 믿으시나요?"

"한국 사회에서 주도권은 보통 누가 가지고 있다고 생각하시나요?"

"자신의 인생에 대한 주도권을 갖기 위해 가장 필요한 것은 무엇일까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루 중 내가 주도권을 잡고 결정했던 순간들에 대해 써보세요. (Write about moments today where you took the lead and made decisions.)

과거에 주도권을 빼앗겨서 후회했던 경험이 있나요? 어떻게 대처했어야 했을까요? (Have you ever regretted losing the initiative? How should you have handled it?)

내가 미래에 주도권을 갖고 싶은 분야는 어디인가요? (In what field do you want to have the initiative in the future?)

주도권과 리더십의 차이에 대해 자신의 생각을 정리해보세요. (Organize your thoughts on the difference between initiative and leadership.)

팀 프로젝트에서 주도권 싸움이 일어났을 때 해결하는 나만의 방법은? (What is your own way to resolve a power struggle in a team project?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'잡다' emphasizes the act of taking control, often at a specific moment of transition. '쥐다' emphasizes the state of already being in control. For example, you '잡다' the initiative at the start of a race, and you '쥐다' it as you maintain your lead. Both are very common and often interchangeable.

Yes, it is very common in modern Korean to talk about '연애 주도권'. It refers to who in the relationship has more influence over decisions or emotional dynamics. However, using it too much might make the relationship sound like a power struggle, so use it carefully.

No, they are different. '리더십이 있다' means someone is a good leader. '주도권이 있다' means someone is in the leading position in a specific situation. You can have great leadership skills but not have the initiative in a particular meeting.

It is used when you were in control but lost it to someone else. This is common in sports (losing the ball) or business (a competitor launching a better product). It implies a passive loss of power.

It means 'self-directed learning'. It's when a student takes the '주도권' over their own education, setting their own goals and schedules rather than just following a teacher's lead.

Holding the '주도권' in business means you can set the terms of a contract, determine market prices, or lead technological standards. It is the key to having a competitive advantage and ensuring survival.

There isn't one perfect opposite noun, but '수동성' (passivity) or '종속성' (dependency) can be used. In a situation, if you don't have the '주도권', you are said to be '수동적인 태도' (in a passive stance).

It can be. It often describes a conflict where people are more interested in who is the boss than in the task at hand. However, it can also describe a healthy competition between two strong rivals.

Yes, especially in child psychology. Experts talk about giving children the '주도권' in play to help them build confidence and decision-making skills.

Depending on the context, 'initiative', 'leadership', 'the upper hand', 'control', or 'hegemony' are all good translations. In sports, 'momentum' is also a frequent translation.