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정당성

B2 noun #4,500 most common 12 min read

정당성

jeongdangseong Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 정당성 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 정당성 in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 정당성 (Legitimacy/Justification) is quite difficult because it is an abstract noun. However, you can think of it as a way of saying 'is this right?' in a very serious way. At this stage, you don't need to use this word yourself, but you might see it in simple news headlines or hear it in serious TV shows.

Think of it like this: If you have a rule in a game, and everyone agrees the rule is good, that rule has '정당성.' If someone makes a bad rule that is unfair, people will say it has no '정당성.' It comes from the word '정당하다' which means 'to be fair' or 'to be right.' Even as a beginner, knowing that '정' often means 'right' or 'correct' (like in '정답' - correct answer) will help you remember this word later.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to see more complex words. 정당성 is a noun that means 'the quality of being fair or right.' You will mostly see it in the pattern '정당성이 있다' (to have legitimacy) or '정당성이 없다' (to not have legitimacy).

Imagine a situation where a teacher gives a student a bad grade for no reason. You could say, '그 점수는 정당성이 없어요' (That grade has no justification). It's a formal way to say something is unfair. You will also see it in very simple sentences about laws or rules. It's a good word to recognize when people are debating whether something is 'fair' or 'just.' Just remember: 정 (right) + 당 (proper) + 성 (nature).

At the B1 level, you should begin to understand the difference between 'being right' (옳다) and 'having legitimacy' (정당성). 정당성 is used in more formal settings like work, school debates, or when talking about the news. It's not just about a feeling of fairness, but about having a reason or a law that supports an action.

You will often see it paired with verbs like '확보하다' (to secure) or '인정받다' (to be recognized). For example, '정당성을 인정받다' means to have your reasons or rights recognized by others. This is common in workplace discussions. If a boss makes a big change, they need to show the '정당성' of that change to the employees. It’s a key word for expressing opinions on social fairness and rules.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 정당성 in discussions about politics, law, and ethics. This is the level where you must distinguish it from 타당성 (logical validity) and 합법성 (legality). You should understand that something can be legal (합법) but still lack moral legitimacy (정당성).

You should be able to use collocations like '절차적 정당성' (procedural legitimacy) or '도덕적 정당성' (moral legitimacy). For instance, in a debate about government policy, you might say, '이 정책은 법적으로는 문제가 없지만, 절차적 정당성이 부족합니다' (This policy has no legal issues, but it lacks procedural legitimacy). This shows you understand that how things are done is as important as what is done. It is a vital word for any high-level discussion in Korean society.

For C1 learners, 정당성 is a tool for nuanced social and philosophical analysis. You should be able to discuss the 'mandate of heaven' or 'social contract' using this term. In a C1 context, you'll encounter the word in academic papers or deep editorials where it is used to critique the very foundations of power and authority.

You should be comfortable using the word to describe abstract concepts like '역사적 정당성' (historical justification) in the context of Korean history or '통치의 정당성' (legitimacy of rule). At this level, you should also be aware of related Hanja-based synonyms like 당위성 (the quality of being what ought to be) and how they differ slightly in philosophical weight. Your usage should be precise, reflecting an understanding of how legitimacy is constructed and lost in modern democratic systems.

At the C2 level, 정당성 is a fundamental concept used in complex discourse regarding jurisprudence, political philosophy, and global ethics. You are expected to handle the word with the same precision as a native scholar. This includes understanding its role in '정당방위' (justifiable self-defense) in law, or '정당한 보상' (just compensation) in economics.

You should be able to analyze how different political ideologies define '정당성' differently—for example, comparing a utilitarian vs. a deontological approach to the '정당성' of a specific law. You might also use it in literary analysis to discuss a character's motivations or a narrator's reliability. At this peak level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a lens through which you analyze the complex structures of human society and thought in Korean.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

정당성 in 30 Seconds

정당성 refers to the moral and legal 'rightness' or 'legitimacy' of an action, law, or authority figure.
It is a formal Sino-Korean noun frequently used in politics, law, and high-level social debates.
Commonly paired with verbs like '확보하다' (secure), '입증하다' (prove), and '의심받다' (be questioned).
Distinguish it from '합법성' (strict legality) and '타당성' (logical validity or practical feasibility).

The Korean word 정당성 (Jeong-dang-seong) is a profound noun that bridges the gap between legal frameworks and moral philosophy. At its core, it refers to the quality of being 'right,' 'just,' or 'legitimate.' When Koreans use this word, they are not merely talking about whether something is allowed by a specific rule, but whether it is fundamentally 'fair' and 'justifiable' in the eyes of society or an ethical standard. It is composed of three Hanja characters: 정 (正 - right/correct), 당 (當 - proper/ought), and 성 (性 - nature/quality). Together, they form the 'nature of what ought to be right.' This word is a staple in news broadcasts, legal debates, political speeches, and academic papers, as it addresses the very foundation of authority and action.

Philosophical Root: In a philosophical context, 정당성 relates to 'legitimacy.' It asks the question: 'By what right do you do this?' It is often used to evaluate the actions of a government or a leader. If a leader takes power through a coup, people will often say they lack '정당성,' even if they have the physical power to rule.

시민들은 정부의 새로운 정책에 대한 정당성을 의심하기 시작했다. (Citizens began to doubt the legitimacy of the government's new policy.)

In everyday life, you might hear this word when someone is defending their choices. If a manager fires an employee, they must prove the 정당성 of that dismissal to avoid legal repercussions. It isn't just about 'I can fire them'; it's about 'Is it right and fair to fire them based on their performance and the company rules?' This word carries a heavy weight of responsibility. It implies that there is a standard—whether it be the law, social norms, or universal ethics—that must be met for an action to be considered valid.

Social Context: In social movements, 정당성 is the primary weapon. Activists argue that their cause has '정당성' because it seeks equality or justice, even if their methods are currently against existing laws. This tension between 'legality' (합법성) and 'legitimacy' (정당성) is a common theme in Korean history, particularly during the democratization movements.

그의 주장은 논리적인 정당성이 부족하다. (His argument lacks logical justification.)

Furthermore, the word is frequently paired with verbs like '확보하다' (to secure), '상실하다' (to lose), and '부여하다' (to bestow). A democratic election 'bestows' (부여하다) legitimacy upon a leader. Conversely, a scandal might cause a public figure to 'lose' (상실하다) their moral legitimacy. Understanding this word requires an appreciation for the Korean emphasis on collective morality and the 'right path' (정도), which is a deeply Confucian influence still felt in modern discourse. Whether you are analyzing a K-drama plot involving corporate backstabbing or reading a news article about international law, 정당성 will appear whenever the question of 'rightness' is at stake.

이 전쟁은 국제법상 정당성을 인정받기 어렵다. (It is difficult for this war to be recognized for its legitimacy under international law.)

Comparative Nuance: Do not confuse 정당성 with 타당성 (validity). While 타당성 focuses on whether something is 'logical' or 'feasible,' 정당성 focuses on whether it is 'ethically or legally right.' For example, a plan to increase taxes might be '타당' (valid/logical) to fix a budget deficit, but the public might question its '정당성' (justification/fairness) if it only targets the poor.

자기방어를 위한 무력 사용의 정당성은 널리 받아들여진다. (The justification for using force in self-defense is widely accepted.)

In summary, 정당성 is a versatile term used to evaluate the moral and legal standing of actions, laws, and authorities. It is the yardstick by which society measures the 'rightness' of power and the 'fairness' of rules. Mastery of this word allows a learner to engage in high-level discussions about justice and social order in Korean.

Using 정당성 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often acts as the object of specific verbs or the subject of evaluative statements. Because it is a formal and abstract concept, it rarely appears in casual slang, but it is indispensable in professional, academic, and civic life. The most common patterns involve proving, questioning, or establishing this legitimacy.

Verbal Pairings: Common verbs used with 정당성 include:
1. 확보하다 (To secure): Used when a group or leader tries to gain public approval.
2. 입증하다 (To prove): Used in legal or logical contexts to show why an action was right.
3. 의심하다/의문을 제기하다 (To doubt/raise questions): Used when challenging the status quo.
4. 결여되다 (To be lacking): Used to describe a situation that is unjust.

그 회사는 해고 절차의 정당성을 법정에서 입증해야 했다. (The company had to prove the justification of the firing procedure in court.)

When discussing politics, 정당성 is often the subject of the sentence. For instance, 'The legitimacy of the election is being questioned.' In Korean, this would be '선거의 정당성이 의심받고 있다.' Notice how the word anchors the entire sentence's moral weight. It is also frequently used with the particle '~에 대한' (regarding/towards) to specify what is being evaluated.

우리는 이 시위의 정당성에 대해 토론했다. (We debated the legitimacy of this protest.)

Grammatical Structures: 1. [Noun] + 의 정당성: The legitimacy of [Noun]. (e.g., 권력의 정당성 - legitimacy of power).
2. 정당성을 인정받다: To have one's legitimacy recognized.
3. 정당성이 있다/없다: To have/not have justification.

In academic writing, you will see it used to define the boundaries of a theory. For example, 'The justification for this hypothesis is based on previous research.' (이 가설의 정당성은 선행 연구에 근거한다.) This usage shifts from a moral 'rightness' to a logical 'grounding.' It is important to match the level of formality in your sentence; since 정당성 is a Sino-Korean word (Hanja-based), it pairs best with other formal vocabulary.

민주주의 국가에서 모든 권력은 국민으로부터 그 정당성을 얻는다. (In a democratic country, all power derives its legitimacy from the people.)

Finally, consider the negative form. When something lacks 정당성, it is often described as '부당하다' (unjust) or '정당성이 결여되다' (lacking legitimacy). Using these terms allows you to criticize an action not just as 'bad' (나쁘다), but as fundamentally flawed in its right to exist or occur. This nuance is vital for B2 level learners and above who wish to express complex opinions on social issues.

그 조치는 법적 정당성이 부족하다는 비판을 받았다. (That measure was criticized for lacking legal justification.)

Common Collocations: - 도덕적 정당성 (Moral legitimacy)
- 역사적 정당성 (Historical justification)
- 절차적 정당성 (Procedural legitimacy)
- 정당성을 옹호하다 (To defend legitimacy)

By integrating these patterns, you can move beyond simple descriptions and start evaluating the world around you in Korean, using the same sophisticated vocabulary that native speakers use in serious discourse.

If you turn on the news in Korea, specifically the 9 PM news (뉴스데스크 or KBS 뉴스 9), you are almost guaranteed to hear 정당성 within the first fifteen minutes. It is the language of the 'Blue House' (Cheong Wa Dae), the National Assembly, and the courts. When politicians debate a new law, they don't just talk about whether it will work; they argue about its '정당성.' Does the government have the right to impose this? Is it fair to all citizens? These are the questions that drive Korean political life.

The Courtroom and Legal Dramas: In popular culture, especially in legal thrillers like 'Stranger' (비밀의 숲) or 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' (이상한 변호사 우영우), this word is a key plot driver. Lawyers argue about the '정당성' of evidence—was it obtained fairly? They also argue about the '정당성' of a defendant's actions, such as '정당방위' (justifiable self-defense). In these settings, the word is used to decide the fate of characters, making it feel very high-stakes.

검사는 피고인의 행위에 정당성이 없음을 강조했다. (The prosecutor emphasized that there was no justification for the defendant's actions.)

Another common place is in historical documentaries or dramas (사극). Korea's history is filled with dynastic changes and political upheavals. A new king or a revolutionary leader always had to establish their '정당성.' Without it, they were seen as usurpers. This historical context makes the word resonate deeply with Koreans; it’s about the 'mandate of heaven' translated into modern legal and democratic terms.

Corporate and Labor Relations: In the workplace, you'll hear this during labor union strikes or management restructuring. Unions will argue that their strike has '정당성' because of unfair working conditions. Management will argue that their layoffs have '정당성' because of financial necessity. It is the core word used in the tug-of-war between labor and capital.

이번 파업의 정당성에 대해 시민들의 의견이 갈리고 있다. (Citizens' opinions are divided on the legitimacy of this strike.)

You might also encounter this word in university lectures, particularly in sociology, political science, or law departments. Professors use it to discuss theories of justice (정의론). If you are a student in Korea or planning to study there, '정당성' is a word you will need to write in almost every essay involving social systems. It is also a frequent topic in 'Non-sul' (논술), the essay portion of the Korean university entrance exam, where students are asked to evaluate the '정당성' of certain social phenomena.

막스 베버는 지배의 정당성을 세 가지 유형으로 나누었다. (Max Weber divided the legitimacy of domination into three types.)

Daily News Headlines: - '정부 정책의 정당성 확보가 관건' (Securing legitimacy for government policy is key)
- '야당, 특검 도입의 정당성 주장' (Opposition party claims justification for introducing a special prosecutor)
- '국제사회, 해당 선거의 정당성 부인' (International community denies the legitimacy of the election in question)

In summary, 정당성 is the language of authority, justice, and social agreement. Whether in the scripted dialogue of a drama or the spontaneous heat of a political debate, it serves as the ultimate standard for whether an action or power is acceptable to the collective.

For English speakers learning Korean, 정당성 can be tricky because English often uses several different words where Korean uses this one, or vice versa. The most common pitfall is confusing it with other 'validity' or 'rightness' words. Let's break down these common errors to ensure you use the word with precision.

Mistake 1: 정당성 vs. 타당성 (Legitimacy vs. Validity): This is the most frequent error. 타당성 (Ta-dang-seong) refers to logical validity or practical feasibility. If you are checking if a business plan 'makes sense' or 'will work,' use 타당성. If you are checking if a business plan 'is morally/legally right,' use 정당성.
Wrong: 이 수학 공식의 정당성을 증명하세요. (Prove the 'moral rightness' of this math formula.)
Right: 이 수학 공식의 타당성을 증명하세요. (Prove the 'logical validity' of this math formula.)

사업의 경제적 타당성은 있지만, 윤리적 정당성은 부족하다. (The project has economic feasibility, but lacks ethical justification.)

Another common mistake is using it in casual, personal contexts. You wouldn't say, 'I have the 정당성 to eat this cake.' That sounds like you're arguing in a supreme court about your right to dessert. Instead, use words like '이유' (reason) or '권리' (right). 정당성 is reserved for broader, more formal justifications.

Mistake 2: 정당성 vs. 합법성 (Legitimacy vs. Legality): 합법성 (Hap-beop-seong) is strictly about whether something follows the written law. 정당성 is broader; it includes moral and social 'rightness.' An action could be '합법' (legal) but not '정당' (justified). For example, a tax loophole might be legal (합법), but people might say it lacks legitimacy (정당성) because it's unfair.

법적으로는 문제가 없지만, 국민 정서상 정당성을 얻기 힘들다. (There's no legal issue, but it's hard to gain legitimacy in terms of public sentiment.)

Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse the word with 공정성 (Gong-jeong-seong), which means 'fairness' or 'impartiality.' While they are related, 공정성 is about the 'process' being equal for everyone, whereas 정당성 is about the 'right' or 'justification' of the outcome or the authority itself. A referee must have 공정성 (fairness), but the rulebook they follow must have 정당성 (legitimacy).

Mistake 3: Overusing the word in simple debates: In a casual debate about which movie is better, using 정당성 makes you sound overly dramatic or like you're mocking the situation. Stick to '근거' (basis/grounds) or '이유' (reason) for subjective opinions. Use 정당성 when the debate involves ethics, law, or institutional power.

그의 주장은 충분한 근거를 가지고 있다. (His argument has sufficient grounds - Better for informal debates than '정당성'.)

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the difference between 'logical validity' (타당성), 'strict legality' (합법성), and 'moral legitimacy' (정당성)—you will avoid the most common linguistic traps and sound like a sophisticated speaker of Korean.

To truly master 정당성, you must understand the constellation of words that surround it. Korean has many words for 'rightness' and 'validity,' each with a specific flavor. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about law, logic, fairness, or social cause.

Comparison: 정당성 vs. 타당성: 정당성 (Legitimacy/Justification): Focuses on moral or legal 'rightness.'
타당성 (Validity/Feasibility): Focuses on logical consistency or practical possibility.
Example: 'The plan to build a bridge is logically 타당 (valid), but its environmental 정당성 (justification) is being questioned.'

그 이론은 논리적 타당성을 갖추고 있다. (That theory possesses logical validity.)

Comparison: 정당성 vs. 합법성: 정당성 (Legitimacy): Can be moral, ethical, or legal. It's the 'spirit' of the rightness.
합법성 (Legality): Strictly follows the 'letter' of the law.
Example: 'A protest might be illegal (불법), but activists argue it has moral 정당성.'

정부는 행정 조치의 합법성을 강조했다. (The government emphasized the legality of the administrative measure.)

Other alternatives include 명분 (Myeong-bun). This is a very Korean concept. It refers to the 'justification' or 'reason' one gives to the public to save face or act with honor. While 정당성 is more objective and legalistic, 명분 is more about social standing and the 'stated reason' for an action. If a politician switches parties, they need a good '명분' to explain it to their voters.

Comparison: 정당성 vs. 명분: 정당성: The objective quality of being right.
명분: The justification or 'cause' used to explain an action to others.
Example: 'They have no 명분 (cause/excuse) to start a war, even if they claim legal 정당성.'

그는 행동의 명분을 찾지 못해 망설였다. (He hesitated because he couldn't find a justification for his actions.)

Finally, there is 공정성 (Gong-jeong-seong), which means 'fairness.' Use this when talking about sports, exams, or competitions where everyone should have an equal chance. While a test's 정당성 might be about whether the test is legally allowed, its 공정성 is about whether the questions were leaked to some students and not others. Understanding these subtle shifts in meaning will help you navigate complex Korean social and professional environments with ease.

Quick Summary of Alternatives: - 타당성: Logical validity.
- 합법성: Legal compliance.
- 명분: Social/moral cause.
- 공정성: Impartial fairness.
- 당위성: Philosophical necessity ('ought-ness').

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '正' (Jeong) is often used as a tally mark in Korea (like the four strokes and a cross in the West) because it has exactly five strokes and represents 'correctness'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕʌ̹ŋda̠ŋsʰʌ̹ŋ/

US /t͡ɕʌ̹ŋda̠ŋsʰʌ̹ŋ/

Stress is even across all three syllables in Korean, unlike English word stress.

Rhymes With

공정성 (Gong-jeong-seong) 투명성 (Tu-myeong-seong) 안정성 (An-jeong-seong) 가능성 (Ga-neung-seong) 적절성 (Jeok-jeol-seong) 일관성 (Il-gwan-seong) 창의성 (Chang-ui-seong) 적합성 (Jeok-hap-seong)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '정' as a hard English 'J' (like 'Jump'). It should be softer.
Over-aspirating the 'ㄷ' in '당'. It should be a plain 'd' sound.
Pronouncing '성' like English 'sung'. It should be more like 'seong' (open 'eo' vowel).
Missing the 'ng' sound at the end of each syllable.
Stress-timing the word. Keep it syllable-timed.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news and books, but requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

Writing 5/5

Hard to use correctly without confusing it with similar terms like 타당성.

Speaking 4/5

Used in formal debates or serious discussions; pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 4/5

Frequent in news broadcasts and documentaries.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

정당하다 이유 법 공정 옳다

Learn Next

타당성 합법성 당위성 명분 정의

Advanced

실증주의 자연법 거버넌스 대의제 담론

Grammar to Know

-(으)로서 vs -(으)로써

지도자로서의 정당성 (As a leader) vs 정책으로써 정당성을 확보하다 (By means of policy).

-라는 (Appositive)

정당성이라는 가치 (The value called legitimacy).

-에 대한 (Regarding)

그 조치에 대한 정당성 (Legitimacy regarding that measure).

-ㄴ다는 점에서 (In that...)

공정하다는 점에서 정당성이 있다.

Passive Voice (-받다, -되다)

정당성을 인정받다, 정당성이 결여되다.

Examples by Level

이 규칙은 정당성이 있어요.

This rule is fair/legitimate.

Simple [Noun] + 이/가 + [Noun] + 이다 structure.

정당성이 무엇입니까?

What is legitimacy?

Question form using '무엇입니까'.

그의 말은 정당성이 없어요.

His words have no justification.

Negative existence '없어요'.

우리는 정당성을 원해요.

We want legitimacy/fairness.

Object marker '를' with '원해요'.

이것은 정당한 일입니다.

This is a just/fair thing.

Adjective form '정당한' modifying '일'.

선생님, 정당성이 중요해요?

Teacher, is legitimacy important?

Topic marker '이/가' with '중요해요'.

법에는 정당성이 필요해요.

Legitimacy is needed in law.

Particle '에는' indicating location/context.

그들은 정당성을 찾고 있어요.

They are looking for justification.

Present progressive '-고 있어요'.

그 계획은 정당성이 부족합니다.

That plan lacks legitimacy.

Verb '부족하다' (to be lacking).

사람들은 정당성을 확인하고 싶어 해요.

People want to check the legitimacy.

'-고 싶어 하다' for third-person desire.

이 결정의 정당성을 설명해 주세요.

Please explain the justification for this decision.

Request form '-해 주세요'.

정당성이 없는 행동은 하지 마세요.

Do not do actions that lack justification.

Prohibitive form '-지 마세요'.

그는 자신의 정당성을 주장했습니다.

He claimed his own legitimacy.

Past tense '주장했습니다'.

우리는 정책의 정당성을 믿습니다.

We believe in the legitimacy of the policy.

Verb '믿다' (to believe).

이것이 정당성이 있는 행동입니까?

Is this a justified action?

Formal question '입니까?'.

정당성을 얻는 것은 어렵습니다.

Gaining legitimacy is difficult.

Noun clause '-는 것' as subject.

회사는 해고의 정당성을 입증해야 합니다.

The company must prove the justification for the dismissal.

Obligation form '-해야 합니다'.

시민들은 정부의 정당성에 의문을 제기했다.

Citizens raised questions about the government's legitimacy.

Idiom '의문을 제기하다' (to raise a question).

그의 주장은 도덕적 정당성이 결여되어 있다.

His argument lacks moral legitimacy.

State of being '결여되어 있다' (to be lacking).

이번 선거는 정당성을 확보하는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important for this election to secure legitimacy.

Collocation '정당성을 확보하다'.

우리는 이 전쟁의 정당성을 인정할 수 없습니다.

We cannot recognize the legitimacy of this war.

Ability form '-(으)ㄹ 수 없다'.

법적 정당성뿐만 아니라 사회적 정당성도 필요하다.

Not only legal legitimacy but also social legitimacy is needed.

Structure 'A뿐만 아니라 B도'.

그 조치는 정당성을 상실한 것으로 보인다.

The measure appears to have lost its legitimacy.

Conjecture '-ㄴ 것으로 보인다'.

누구나 자신의 행동에 대한 정당성을 찾으려 한다.

Everyone tries to find justification for their actions.

Intention form '-(으)려 한다'.

절차적 정당성이 지켜지지 않은 결정은 무효입니다.

A decision where procedural legitimacy was not maintained is void.

Passive form '지켜지지 않은' modifying '결정'.

그 정권은 탄생 과정에서 정당성 논란에 휩싸였다.

The regime was embroiled in a controversy over its legitimacy during its birth.

Idiom '논란에 휩싸이다' (to be embroiled in controversy).

사회적 합의 없이는 정책의 정당성을 얻기 힘들다.

Without social consensus, it is hard to gain legitimacy for a policy.

Conditional '없이는' (without).

피고인은 정당방위의 정당성을 강력히 주장했다.

The defendant strongly claimed the justification of self-defense.

Compound noun '정당방위' (self-defense).

역사적 정당성을 세우는 일은 미래를 위해 필수적이다.

Establishing historical legitimacy is essential for the future.

Gerund '세우는 일' (the act of establishing).

그의 비판은 정당성을 넘어서 인신공격에 가까웠다.

His criticism went beyond justification and was close to a personal attack.

Structure 'A를 넘어서 B에 가깝다'.

국제법상 이 개입의 정당성은 여전히 불분명하다.

The legitimacy of this intervention remains unclear under international law.

Adverbial '국제법상' (under international law).

모든 권력은 정당성이라는 토대 위에 세워져야 한다.

All power must be built on the foundation called legitimacy.

Apposition '-라는' (called/known as).

베버는 전통적, 카리스마적, 법적-합리적 정당성을 구분했다.

Weber distinguished between traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational legitimacy.

Technical sociological terminology.

해당 조약은 주권 침해라는 점에서 정당성 결여의 소지가 있다.

The treaty in question has the potential for a lack of legitimacy in that it violates sovereignty.

Structure '-ㄴ다는 점에서' (in that...) and '-ㄹ 소지가 있다' (potential for...).

민주주의의 위기는 대의제 기구의 정당성 약화에서 비롯된다.

The crisis of democracy stems from the weakening of the legitimacy of representative institutions.

Verb '비롯되다' (to originate from).

정당성의 위기를 극복하기 위해 정부는 소통을 강화했다.

To overcome the crisis of legitimacy, the government strengthened communication.

Purpose clause '-기 위해'.

그의 철학은 정당성보다는 효율성을 강조하는 경향이 있다.

His philosophy tends to emphasize efficiency over legitimacy.

Comparison 'A보다는 B' and '경향이 있다' (tendency to).

사법부의 독립성은 판결의 정당성을 담보하는 핵심 요소이다.

The independence of the judiciary is a key element that guarantees the legitimacy of rulings.

Verb '담보하다' (to guarantee/collateralize).

국가 폭력은 그 어떤 명분으로도 정당성을 얻을 수 없다.

State violence cannot gain legitimacy through any justification whatsoever.

Structure '그 어떤 [Noun]으로도' (through any [Noun] at all).

담론의 정당성은 참여자들의 평등한 발언권에서 기인한다.

The legitimacy of a discourse arises from the equal right of participants to speak.

Verb '기인하다' (to result from/be caused by).

통치 정당성의 상실은 필연적으로 체제의 붕괴를 초래한다.

The loss of governing legitimacy inevitably leads to the collapse of the system.

Adverb '필연적으로' (inevitably) and verb '초래하다' (to cause/bring about).

한나 아렌트는 권력과 폭력을 구분하며 권력의 정당성을 논했다.

Hannah Arendt discussed the legitimacy of power while distinguishing power from violence.

Participial construction '-며' (while).

법실증주의와 자연법론은 법적 정당성의 근거를 두고 대립한다.

Legal positivism and natural law theory clash over the grounds of legal legitimacy.

Technical legal philosophy terms.

정당성의 원천이 신에게서 인민으로 이동한 것이 근대의 특징이다.

The shift of the source of legitimacy from God to the people is a characteristic of the modern era.

Noun clause '-ㄴ 것' as subject.

공리주의적 정당성은 '최대 다수의 최대 행복'에 기반을 둔다.

Utilitarian legitimacy is based on 'the greatest happiness for the greatest number.'

Structure '-에 기반을 두다' (to be based on).

정치적 정당성은 단순히 다수결에 의해서만 결정되는 것이 아니다.

Political legitimacy is not determined solely by majority rule.

Negative structure '단순히 ... 는 것이 아니다'.

역사적 수정주의는 과거 정권의 정당성을 재평가하려는 시도이다.

Historical revisionism is an attempt to re-evaluate the legitimacy of past regimes.

Noun '시도' (attempt) with attributive '-려는'.

글로벌 거버넌스의 정당성 문제는 현대 정치학의 화두 중 하나이다.

The issue of legitimacy in global governance is one of the hot topics in modern political science.

Noun '화두' (topic/mantra).

Synonyms

타당성 합법성 명분 적법성 정당화

Antonyms

부당성 불법성

Common Collocations

정당성을 확보하다

정당성을 입증하다

정당성을 의심받다

정당성을 상실하다

절차적 정당성

도덕적 정당성

법적 정당성

정당성을 부여하다

정당성을 옹호하다

정당성 논란

Common Phrases

정당성이 있다

— To have justification or legitimacy.

그의 요구는 충분한 정당성이 있다.

정당성이 없다

— To lack justification or legitimacy.

그런 폭력은 어떤 정당성도 없다.

정당성을 잃다

— To lose legitimacy.

신뢰를 잃으면 정당성도 잃게 된다.

정당성을 주장하다

— To claim or assert legitimacy.

그는 자신의 권력에 대한 정당성을 주장했다.

정당성을 인정하다

— To recognize or admit legitimacy.

법원은 그 해고의 정당성을 인정했다.

정당성을 부인하다

— To deny legitimacy.

야당은 선거 결과의 정당성을 부인했다.

정당성을 검증하다

— To verify or examine legitimacy.

위원회는 후보자의 정당성을 검증할 것이다.

정당성을 강조하다

— To emphasize legitimacy.

연설에서 그는 평화의 정당성을 강조했다.

정당성을 훼손하다

— To damage or undermine legitimacy.

부정부패는 국가의 정당성을 훼손한다.

정당성을 뒷받침하다

— To support or back up legitimacy.

많은 증거들이 그의 주장의 정당성을 뒷받침한다.

Often Confused With

정당성 vs 타당성

Logical validity vs. Moral/Legal legitimacy.

정당성 vs 합법성

Strict legality vs. Broader justification.

정당성 vs 공정성

Impartiality in process vs. Justification of existence/action.

Idioms & Expressions

"명분이 서다"

— To have a good justification or cause (related to 정당성).

이제야 행동할 명분이 섰다.

Formal

"정도를 걷다"

— To walk the 'right path' (acting with 정당성).

정치인은 언제나 정도를 걸어야 한다.

Formal/Literary

"하늘을 우러러 한 점 부끄럼 없다"

— To have a clear conscience (absolute moral legitimacy).

나는 하늘을 우러러 한 점 부끄럼 없이 살았다.

Literary/Poetic

"떳떳하다"

— To be honorable/unashamed (having personal 정당성).

나는 정당하게 돈을 벌었으니 떳떳하다.

Neutral

"사필귀정"

— Justice will prevail in the end (events will return to their 정당성).

결국 사필귀정으로 진실이 밝혀질 것이다.

Formal (Hanja Idiom)

"정정당당하다"

— To be fair and square.

정정당당하게 승부하자.

Neutral

"말문이 막히다"

— To be speechless (often because one lacks 정당성 to reply).

그는 정당성이 없어서 말문이 막혔다.

Neutral

"꼬투리를 잡다"

— To find fault (trying to undermine someone's 정당성).

상대방의 정당성을 깎아내리려 꼬투리를 잡았다.

Informal

"발목을 잡다"

— To hold someone back (challenging their 정당성 to move forward).

정당성 논란이 그의 발목을 잡았다.

Neutral

"면죄부를 주다"

— To give an indulgence (to bestow false 정당성).

이 판결은 범죄자에게 면죄부를 주는 격이다.

Formal/Metaphorical

Easily Confused

정당성 vs 타당성

Both translate to 'validity' in some contexts.

타당성 is about logic and facts (Does it make sense?); 정당성 is about ethics and law (Is it right?).

실험의 타당성 (Validity of experiment) vs 행동의 정당성 (Justification of action).

정당성 vs 합법성

Both relate to rules.

합법성 is only about the law; 정당성 includes morality. Something can be legal but not legitimate.

법적 합법성 (Legal legality) vs 도덕적 정당성 (Moral legitimacy).

정당성 vs 당위성

Both are abstract nouns about 'rightness'.

당위성 is 'what ought to be' (Idealistic); 정당성 is 'what is justified' (Evaluative).

통일의 당위성 (The necessity/ought-ness of unification).

정당성 vs 개연성

Sounds similar to other '-성' words.

개연성 means 'probability' or 'likelihood' in a story/logic.

소설의 개연성 (The probability/realism of the novel).

정당성 vs 정통성

Often used together in history.

정통성 refers to 'lineage' or 'orthodoxy' (Being the true successor).

왕조의 정통성 (Legitimacy of the dynasty's lineage).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]은/는 정당성이 있어요.

이 규칙은 정당성이 있어요.

[Noun]의 정당성을 인정받다.

그는 자신의 정당성을 인정받았다.

[Noun]에 대한 정당성 논란.

이 법안에 대한 정당성 논란이 있다.

[Adjective] 정당성을 확보하다.

정부는 도덕적 정당성을 확보해야 한다.

[Noun]은/는 정당성이 결여되어 있다.

그 조치는 정당성이 결여되어 있다.

[Noun]이라는 점에서 정당성을 찾다.

평등이라는 점에서 정당성을 찾을 수 있다.

정당성을 담보하기 위해 [Verb].

정당성을 담보하기 위해 투명한 절차가 필요하다.

[Noun]의 정당성 여부가 화두가 되다.

개입의 정당성 여부가 화두가 되고 있다.

Word Family

Nouns

정당 (Justice/Fairness)

정당화 (Justification)

부당성 (Unjustness)

Verbs

정당화하다 (To justify)

정당하다 (To be just/fair - technically an adjective)

Adjectives

정당한 (Just/Fair)

부당한 (Unjust/Unfair)

정의 (Justice)

공정 (Fairness)

합법 (Legality)

타당 (Validity)

도덕 (Morality)

How to Use It

frequency

High in news, law, and academic writing; Low in daily casual chat.

Common Mistakes

이 계획의 정당성을 검토해서 실행 가능성을 확인하자. → 이 계획의 타당성을 검토해서 실행 가능성을 확인하자.
Feasibility/viability is '타당성', not '정당성'.
그것은 정당성이다. → 그것은 정당하다. / 정당성이 있다.
You cannot use the noun 'legitimacy' as a simple predicate like that in most contexts.
여권의 정당성이 끝났다. → 여권의 유효 기간이 끝났다.
Passport validity is '유효', not '정당'.
정당성 있게 행동해라. → 정당하게 행동해라.
Use the adverbial form of the adjective '정당하다' instead of the noun.
합법성과 정당성은 항상 같다. → 합법성과 정당성이 항상 일치하는 것은 아니다.
Legal does not always mean legitimate/justified.

Tips

The 3-D Rule

Think of **J**ustice, **D**oing, and **S**tatus. **J**eong-**D**ang-**S**eong. If you are doing justice, you have the status of legitimacy.

Formal Writing

When writing for TOPIK II, use '정당성' to discuss social issues. It automatically raises your score by showing advanced vocabulary.

Legal vs. Moral

Always ask yourself: Am I talking about the law (합법성) or what is 'right' (정당성)? This distinction is key in Korean culture.

Verb Pairing

Memorize '정당성을 확보하다'. It's the most common way to say 'to gain legitimacy' in news and politics.

Root Power

Remember 正 (Jeong) means 'Right'. You'll see it in 정답 (correct answer), 정상 (normal), and 정의 (justice).

News Watching

Watch 10 minutes of Korean news. You will likely hear this word when they talk about the National Assembly (국회).

Don't Overuse

Don't use it in a restaurant to justify your order. It's for laws, ethics, and serious business.

Feasibility

If you mean 'will this work?', use 타당성. If you mean 'is this fair?', use 정당성.

Noun vs Adjective

정당성 is the noun. 정당하다 is the adjective. Use '정당한 이유' for 'a justified reason'.

Social Consent

In Korea, 정당성 often implies that the 'people' (국민) or 'society' (사회) agree with the action.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jeong' as 'Justice', 'Dang' as 'Doing', and 'Seong' as 'Status'. Justice-Doing-Status = Legitimacy.

Visual Association

Imagine a scale of justice (정) that is balanced properly (당) because of its nature (성).

Word Web

Law Ethics Fairness Government Justification Protest Rules Authority

Challenge

Try to find one news article today in a Korean newspaper (like Naver News) that uses '정당성' and translate the headline.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 正 (Jeong), 當 (Dang), and 性 (Seong).

Original meaning: 正 means 'right' or 'straight'. 當 means 'proper' or 'to match'. 性 means 'nature' or 'quality'.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word to describe sensitive political topics in Korea, as it can sound like you are taking a strong moral stance.

English speakers might use 'legitimacy' for governments but 'justification' for personal actions. Korean uses '정당성' for both, provided they are formal.

Max Weber's 'Three Types of Legitimate Rule' (지배의 정당성). The 'Gwangju Uprising' debates often center on the 정당성 of the military intervention. The movie 'The Attorney' (변호인) deals with the 정당성 of legal defense during an authoritarian era.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Politics

정당성 확보
권력의 정당성
선거의 정당성
정당성 위기

Law

법적 정당성
정당방위
정당한 보상
정당성을 입증하다

Business

해고의 정당성
절차적 정당성
계약의 정당성
경영상의 정당성

Philosophy

도덕적 정당성
당위성과 정당성
정의와 정당성
가치의 정당성

History

역사적 정당성
정통성과 정당성
왕권의 정당성
혁명의 정당성

Conversation Starters

"정부의 이번 정책에 대해 정당성이 있다고 생각하시나요?"

"어떤 행동이 정당성을 얻기 위해 가장 중요한 요소는 무엇일까요?"

"법적으로는 맞지만 정당성이 없는 경우를 본 적이 있나요?"

"회사에서 직원을 해고할 때 정당성을 어떻게 입증해야 할까요?"

"민주주의 사회에서 정당성의 원천은 어디에 있다고 보십니까?"

Journal Prompts

내가 과거에 했던 행동 중 정당성이 부족했다고 느끼는 일에 대해 써보세요.

사회적으로 논란이 되고 있는 이슈 하나를 골라 그 정당성에 대해 논해 보세요.

나에게 '도덕적 정당성'이란 무엇을 의미하는지 정의해 보세요.

법과 정당성이 충돌할 때, 우리는 무엇을 따라야 하는지 자신의 생각을 적어보세요.

정당성을 잃은 리더가 어떻게 행동해야 하는지 시나리오를 작성해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. It sounds too heavy. Use '이유' (reason) or '변명' (excuse). 정당성 is for big principles.

정당성 is the 'quality' (noun), while 정당화 is the 'act of making it right' (justification process).

It's better to say '내 주장의 정당성' (The legitimacy of my argument) or '내가 정당하다는 것' (The fact that I am right).

Use '정당방위' (Jeong-dang-bang-wi). It literally means 'justified defense'.

Yes, it is a common political term in both Koreas to justify their respective systems.

Yes, it's the same Hanja character (性), meaning 'nature' or 'quality'.

No. Use '유효성' (validity/effectiveness) or '유효 기간' (valid period).

It means 'procedural legitimacy'—the idea that the process must be fair for the result to be valid.

Yes, because it requires understanding abstract social concepts beyond daily survival Korean.

Focus on the 'ng' sounds at the end of each syllable: Jeong-Dang-Seong.