원본

Think of 원본 as the 'master copy' or the 'source.' When you write a document, the file you save on your computer is the 원본. If you print it out, that printout is a copy, not the 원본.

It is important because it represents the authentic version. Whether it is a contract, a piece of art, or a digital file, the 원본 is what people look at when they want to verify the truth or the quality of something.

The word 원본 is a Sino-Korean word. It comes from the characters 原 (won), meaning 'origin' or 'source,' and 本 (bon), meaning 'book' or 'root/base.'

Historically, this term was used to distinguish the original manuscript of a book from the woodblock prints or hand-copied versions. Over time, it evolved to cover everything from digital data to legal evidence, maintaining its core meaning of being the root source.

You will hear 원본 used frequently in business and technology. Common phrases include 원본을 보관하다 (keep the original) or 원본과 대조하다 (compare with the original).

It is used in both formal and informal settings. Whether you are talking about a legal document or just a photo you took on your phone, 원본 is the standard term to use.

1. 원본 그대로: Exactly as it was originally. 2. 원본 대조필: Certified as a true copy of the original. 3. 원본을 훼손하다: To damage the original. 4. 원본을 찾다: To search for the original source. 5. 원본을 복구하다: To restore the original file.

In Korean, 원본 is a noun and acts like a standalone object. It does not change form based on pluralization, as Korean nouns don't use 's' like English.

The pronunciation is straightforward: 'won' (like the currency) followed by 'bon.' Stress is generally even across both syllables. It rhymes with words like '손' (hand) or '돈' (money) in its first syllable.