특허
A patent is an official document that gives an inventor the exclusive right to their invention for a set time.
Explanation at your level:
A patent is a paper from the government. It says you are the owner of your new idea. Nobody can copy you. It is for inventors.
When you invent something, you can get a patent. This is a special right. It stops other people from making your invention. It helps you protect your work.
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. If you have a patent, you can stop others from selling your product. It is a common term in business and technology.
Obtaining a patent is a legal process. It provides intellectual property protection for a limited time. Companies often sue others for patent infringement if their rights are violated.
The patent system is designed to foster innovation by granting inventors a temporary monopoly. By disclosing their technical secrets, inventors receive legal protection, which prevents competitors from exploiting their creative efforts without authorization.
Historically, the patent originated from royal grants, but it has evolved into a cornerstone of modern global commerce. It represents a complex intersection of law, economics, and ethics, balancing the need for private profit with the public's interest in technological advancement and knowledge dissemination.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A patent is a legal protection for inventions.
- It gives the inventor exclusive rights.
- It is a temporary monopoly.
- It requires public disclosure of the invention.
Think of a patent as a legal shield for your brilliant ideas. When you invent something truly new, you don't want others to just steal your hard work, right? A patent is the official way to say, 'I made this, and it belongs to me for a while.'
By getting this protection, you get a temporary monopoly. This means that for a certain number of years, you are the only one allowed to profit from your creation. In exchange for this power, you have to explain exactly how your invention works so that everyone can learn from it. It is a fair trade between the inventor and society.
The word patent comes from the Latin litterae patentes, which literally means 'open letters.' Back in the day, these were royal decrees issued by monarchs to grant special rights or privileges to certain people.
Historically, monarchs used these letters to encourage new industries. If you brought a new technology to the kingdom, the king might give you a patent to be the only one making that product. Over time, this evolved into the modern system we have today, where inventors register their work with the government to protect their intellectual property.
In daily life, you will hear people say they are 'applying for a patent' or that a product is 'patent-pending.' It is a formal term, common in business, law, and technology news.
You might hear phrases like 'infringing a patent', which happens when someone copies an invention without permission. It is a very serious term in the corporate world, often leading to massive lawsuits. Whether you are a scientist or an entrepreneur, understanding how to use this word correctly is essential for discussing innovation.
While patent isn't used in many common idioms, it is often used figuratively. 1. 'Patent nonsense': This means something is obviously and completely ridiculous. 2. 'A patent lie': A lie that is so clear and obvious it cannot be denied. 3. 'To hold a patent on': Used jokingly to say someone is the only one who does something well. 4. 'Patent medicine': An old term for a proprietary medicine. 5. 'Patent of nobility': A historical term for a document granting a title.
As a noun, patent is countable. You can have one patent, two patents, or many patents. In the US, it is pronounced PAT-ent, while in the UK, it is often pronounced PAY-tent.
It acts as a standard noun in sentences: 'The company filed a patent.' It can also be used as an adjective, as in 'a patent absurdity.' Remember that when using it as a verb, it means to obtain a patent for something: 'She decided to patent her new software design.'
Fun Fact
The term comes from royal documents that were left open for all to see.
Pronunciation Guide
starts with 'pay'
starts with 'pat'
Common Errors
- mispronouncing the 't'
- stressing the second syllable
- forgetting the plural 's'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy to read
easy to use
easy to say
easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun Countability
a patent / two patents
Passive Voice
The patent was granted.
Adjective/Adverb Usage
patently obvious
Examples by Level
He has a patent.
He owns a legal right.
Simple subject-verb-object.
The patent is new.
The document is recent.
Adjective usage.
She wants a patent.
She desires the right.
Verb 'want' + object.
This is my patent.
This belongs to me.
Possessive pronoun.
They need a patent.
They require the document.
Plural subject.
The patent is good.
The protection is useful.
Basic adjective.
Get a patent now.
Apply for it today.
Imperative sentence.
Is this a patent?
Is this the document?
Question structure.
She filed for a patent.
The patent lasts ten years.
He invented a new tool and got a patent.
The patent is very important.
They checked the patent records.
This patent is for a machine.
Can you read the patent?
The company holds the patent.
The inventor received a patent for his design.
Patent law is very complicated.
They are waiting for the patent to be approved.
The company is famous for its patent portfolio.
He spent years working on his patent application.
Many companies fight over patent rights.
The patent office rejected the request.
Is the technology covered by a patent?
The startup relies on its patent protection to survive.
Patent infringement can lead to expensive lawsuits.
They are currently involved in a patent dispute.
The patent expires at the end of the year.
She is an expert in patent litigation.
The patent covers several key features of the device.
They decided to license their patent to others.
The patent system encourages new research.
The firm aggressively defends its patent rights in court.
The patent provides a significant competitive advantage.
His patent application was met with skepticism by examiners.
The patent landscape in this industry is very crowded.
They are seeking to invalidate the competitor's patent.
The patent serves as a barrier to entry for new firms.
A patent is a crucial asset for any tech startup.
The patent was granted after a lengthy review process.
The strategic acquisition of the patent portfolio was a game-changer.
The patent office's decision set a new precedent for software inventions.
He holds a foundational patent that changed the industry.
The patent system is often criticized for stifling competition.
The patentee is entitled to damages for infringement.
The patent application was drafted with extreme precision.
The patent is the cornerstone of their intellectual property strategy.
Navigating the complexities of patent law requires specialized counsel.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"patent nonsense"
something obviously ridiculous
His claim that the earth is flat is patent nonsense.
formal"patent lie"
an obvious lie
That is a patent lie and you know it.
formal"hold a patent on"
to be the only one who does something well
She thinks she holds a patent on being right.
casual"patent medicine"
a proprietary medicine
In the 1800s, many people sold patent medicine.
historical"patent of nobility"
a document granting a title
The king issued a patent of nobility to the knight.
historicalEasily Confused
both protect ideas
copyright is for art, patent is for inventions
Book = copyright, Machine = patent
both are legal protections
trademark is for brand names/logos
Nike logo = trademark
both involve permission
license is a contract to use
You license a patent
looks like patent
patentee is the person
The patentee sued the thief
Sentence Patterns
Subject + filed + a patent + for + object
He filed a patent for his new clock.
The company + holds + a patent + on + object
The company holds a patent on the chip.
It is + patently + adjective
It is patently obvious.
The patent + was + granted + to + person
The patent was granted to the scientist.
Subject + is + patent + pending
The device is patent pending.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
they protect different things
ideas must be tangible
preposition usage
spelling error
misconception
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a big lock on your invention.
When Native Speakers Use It
In business meetings about new products.
Cultural Insight
Patents are a symbol of success.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before patent.
Say It Right
US: PAT-ent, UK: PAY-tent.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with copyright.
Did You Know?
Edison had over 1,000 patents.
Study Smart
Read patent news online.
Rhyme Check
Rhymes with 'latent'.
Legal Context
Patents are public documents.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
PATENT: People Always Try Enforcing New Things.
Visual Association
A person holding a golden key to a locked box.
Word Web
Challenge
Look at an object and ask, 'Is this patented?'
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: open letters
Cultural Context
none
highly associated with Silicon Valley and corporate innovation
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- file a patent
- patent pending
- protect our IP
in school
- patent law
- invention history
- intellectual property
travel
- patent office
- legal documents
- new technology
business
- patent portfolio
- patent dispute
- license agreement
Conversation Starters
"What is the most interesting invention you know of?"
"Do you think patents help or hurt innovation?"
"Have you ever heard of a patent dispute?"
"If you invented something, would you get a patent?"
"Why do you think patents are important for companies?"
Journal Prompts
Write about an invention you wish you had created.
Explain why legal protection for inventions is necessary.
Describe a time you saw a 'patent pending' label.
Imagine a world without patents; what would happen?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually 20 years.
No, you must have a working invention.
No, it is country-specific.
It means the application is in progress.
Government offices.
Yes, it is a property asset.
Using a patented item without permission.
It is highly recommended.
Test Yourself
He wants to get a ___ for his invention.
patent is for inventions
What does a patent do?
patents protect ideas
A patent lasts forever.
patents expire
Word
Meaning
common collocations
the company filed the patent
The invention is ___ pending.
patent-pending is the phrase
What is a patentee?
patentee is the holder
Patent infringement is legal.
it is illegal
Word
Meaning
advanced vocabulary
the patent was granted
Score: /10
Summary
A patent is your legal shield for your invention, ensuring you are the only one who can profit from it for a limited time.
- A patent is a legal protection for inventions.
- It gives the inventor exclusive rights.
- It is a temporary monopoly.
- It requires public disclosure of the invention.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a big lock on your invention.
When Native Speakers Use It
In business meetings about new products.
Cultural Insight
Patents are a symbol of success.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before patent.
Example
그 기술은 특허를 받았습니다.
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에 대해
A2About, concerning; regarding a particular subject.
에 대한
A2Concerning or relating to; about, regarding.
~대하여
A2About, concerning, regarding.
대해서
A2Concerning or with regard to; about, regarding.
에 대해
A2About; regarding.
풍요롭다
A2To be abundant, prosperous, or rich.
관철하다
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~에 따라
B1According to, depending on; as stated by or determined by.
에 따라
A2According to; in accordance with.
에 따라
B1According to; as stated by or in conformity with.
