At the A1 level, you don't need to know the complex legal details of patents. Think of 특허내다 as 'making a special paper for my new idea.' The word 특허 means a 'special permit' and 내다 means 'to give' or 'to submit.' So, when you have a great new invention, like a robot that cleans your room, you want to tell the government so nobody else can steal it. That action is 특허내다. You can use it simply like 'I made a new toy, so I will patent it' (새 장난감을 만들어서 특허낼 거예요). It is a bit of a 'big' word for beginners, but it's very useful if you like science or making things. Just remember it is an action you do to protect your work.
For A2 learners, 특허내다 is a useful verb for talking about work, inventions, and business. It is a compound verb: 특허 (patent) + 내다 (to issue/submit). You use it when you want to say you 'obtained' or 'applied for' a patent. It usually takes an object with 을/를. For example, '아이디어를 특허내다' (to patent an idea). You will often hear this in the past tense, 특허냈어요, because people usually talk about it after they have finished the process. It's a key word if you are describing your job or a project you are working on. It's also helpful to know that in Korea, people are very proud of 'patenting' things because it shows they are smart and creative.
At the B1 level, you should start using 특허내다 in more complex sentences involving intentions and reasons. For instance, you might use the -(으)려고 (in order to) structure: '제 기술을 보호하려고 특허냈어요' (I patented it to protect my technology). You should also distinguish it from similar verbs like 신청하다 (to apply). While 신청하다 is general, 특허내다 is specific to intellectual property. You might also encounter it in the context of business plans or startup pitches. Understanding the nuance that 내다 implies 'successfully getting it out' into the world is important. It reflects a completed action or a strong intent to finish the legal process.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 특허내다 in professional and technical contexts. You'll need to understand how it differs from more formal terms like 특허를 출원하다 (to file a patent) and 특허를 등록하다 (to register a patent). 특허내다 is the more common, slightly less formal way to encompass the whole process. You should also be able to use it in the passive-like form 특허를 받은 (patented/received a patent) to describe products. For example, '특허낸 기술을 활용한 제품' (A product utilizing patented technology). At this level, you should also be aware of the cultural importance of patents in the Korean 'creative economy' (창조경제) and how this word appears frequently in economic news.
For C1 learners, 특허내다 should be part of a broader vocabulary regarding intellectual property (지식재산권). You should understand its use in legal disputes, licensing agreements, and R&D strategies. You might use it in complex conditional sentences or when discussing the ethics of patenting (e.g., patenting genes or software). You should also be familiar with the idiomatic use of the noun 전매특허, which means a 'trademark' or 'specialty' of a person's behavior. At this level, you are expected to use the word with precision, perhaps substituting it for 특허를 취득하다 or 특허권을 확보하다 in formal reports to show a higher command of register and professional terminology.
At the C2 level, 특허내다 is a basic building block for discussing high-level legal and economic policy. You should be able to discuss the nuances between 'utility models' (실용신안) and 'patents' (특허), and the strategic implications of '특허를 내는 시점' (the timing of patenting). You would use this word in discussions about international patent law, the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty), and how Korean companies navigate foreign patent offices. You should also be able to analyze the linguistic structure of the verb—how 내다 functions as a causative-like verb in this compound—and how it contrasts with the systemic 'granting' of patents by the state. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, choosing between 특허내다 and its formal synonyms based perfectly on the social and professional context.

특허내다 in 30 Seconds

  • 특허내다 means to obtain a patent for an invention, providing legal protection for unique ideas and technologies against unauthorized use by others.
  • It is a compound of '특허' (patent) and '내다' (to produce/issue), commonly used in business, engineering, and startup contexts.
  • The word implies the completion of a formal legal process at the Intellectual Property Office, granting the owner exclusive commercial rights.
  • While often used generally, it specifically refers to the successful acquisition of a patent rather than just the initial application filing.

The Korean verb 특허내다 is a compound word formed from the noun 특허 (teuk-heo), meaning 'patent' or 'special permission,' and the auxiliary-like verb 내다 (nae-da), which conveys the sense of producing, submitting, or achieving a result. In a literal sense, it means to 'issue a patent' or 'get a patent out.' For English speakers, the most accurate translation is 'to obtain a patent' or 'to patent something.' It is an essential term in the world of innovation, technology, and business, used whenever an inventor wants to protect their intellectual property from being copied by others.

Legal Context
This word is primarily used in legal and business discussions regarding intellectual property rights. It implies the completion of the bureaucratic process at the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).

You will encounter 특허내다 in various settings ranging from casual conversations about a 'genius idea' to formal corporate boardrooms. If someone says, "I should patent this recipe," they would use this verb. In Korea, which ranks very high globally in patent applications per capita, this word carries a sense of achievement and protection of one's hard work. It isn't just about the document; it's about the social recognition that your idea is unique and valuable.

새로운 디자인을 개발해서 드디어 특허냈어요. (I developed a new design and finally patented it.)

In the modern Korean economy, dominated by tech giants like Samsung and LG, 특허내다 is a daily necessity. It is often used in the context of '특허를 내다' (with the object particle '를'), but in spoken Korean, the particle is frequently dropped to create the single verb unit '특허내다'. Understanding this word is key to navigating any professional environment in Korea, especially in engineering, design, or entrepreneurship.

Social Nuance
Using this word often implies that the invention is practically useful and commercially viable, not just a creative thought.

이 기술은 우리가 작년에 특허낸 기술입니다. (This technology is the one we patented last year.)

Using 특허내다 correctly involves understanding its transitivity. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object—the invention, idea, or technology being patented. Grammatically, you can say [Invention] + 을/를 + 특허내다. For example, '아이디어를 특허내다' (to patent an idea). Because it is a process that takes time, you will often see it in the past tense (특허냈다) or the future/intent tense (특허낼 것이다).

Conjugation Patterns
Informal Polite: 특허내요 (Present), 특허냈어요 (Past). Formal: 특허냅니다 (Present), 특허냈습니다 (Past).

One interesting aspect of 특허내다 is how it interacts with the subject. Usually, the subject is an individual inventor or a legal entity like a company. When talking about a company's actions, the honorific suffix '-시-' is often omitted unless referring specifically to a high-ranking individual like the CEO. For example, '회사가 특허를 냈어요' (The company obtained a patent).

빨리 특허내지 않으면 다른 사람이 먼저 할 거예요. (If you don't patent it quickly, someone else will do it first.)

When using the word in more academic or technical writing, you might see the noun form 특허 출원 (patent application) or 특허 등록 (patent registration). However, in standard spoken and written Korean, 특허내다 serves as a versatile catch-all for the entire process of applying for and successfully receiving a patent. It is particularly common in the context of 'startup culture' (스타트업 문화) where securing IP is a primary goal.

그는 자신의 발명품을 특허내기 위해 변리사를 만났다. (He met a patent attorney to patent his invention.)

You will hear 특허내다 in various high-stakes and creative environments. In the news, it's a staple of the 'Economy' or 'IT' sections. When a major Korean corporation like Samsung files a patent for a folding screen or a new battery technology, the headlines will often use this term. It signifies a competitive edge in the global market. Reporters might say, "삼성전자가 새로운 폴더블 기술을 특허냈습니다" (Samsung Electronics has patented a new foldable technology).

In the Workplace
In R&D departments, engineers often discuss whether a specific algorithm or mechanical part is '특허낼 만한' (worth patenting).

Another common place to hear this word is in university settings, specifically within engineering and science departments. Professors and graduate students are often encouraged to '특허내다' their research findings before publishing them in journals to ensure the university holds the commercial rights. You might hear a professor say, "이 논문을 발표하기 전에 먼저 특허부터 냅시다" (Let's patent this first before we present the paper).

스타트업 대표가 투자자들에게 우리 기술을 이미 특허냈다고 설명했다. (The startup CEO explained to investors that they had already patented their technology.)

In television dramas (K-Dramas), especially those centered around corporate intrigue or 'success stories' (like the drama *Start-Up*), 특허내다 is a crucial plot point. Characters might fight over who has the right to patent a specific technology, or a villain might steal a protagonist's idea and patent it first. These scenarios highlight the legal and emotional weight the word carries in Korean society.

이건 세계 최초의 기술이라서 꼭 특허내야 해요. (This is the world's first technology, so we must patent it.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 특허내다 is confusing the different stages of the patent process. In English, 'to patent' can be a vague term, but in Korean, there are more specific words for the stages. 특허내다 usually refers to the successful conclusion or the general act, but if you want to be precise about 'filing' or 'applying,' the word 특허 출원하다 (teuk-heo chul-won-ha-da) is better. Using 특허내다 when you only mean 'applied for' might lead someone to believe you already have the legal rights.

Confusing with Copyright
Learners often use 특허내다 for books or music. For creative works, use '저작권 등록을 하다' (to register copyright), not 특허내다.

Another mistake is using the wrong particle or verb ending. Since it is a transitive verb, you must use the object particle 을/를. Saying '특허가 냈어요' (The patent issued) is incorrect because the patent itself doesn't 'issue' anything; a person issues/obtains the patent. You should say '특허를 냈어요' or '특허가 나왔어요' (The patent came out/was granted).

Wrong: 노래를 특허냈어요. (I patented a song.)
Correct: 노래의 저작권을 등록했어요. (I registered the copyright for the song.)

Finally, be careful with the politeness levels. In a professional setting, while 특허냈어요 is acceptable, using the more formal 특허를 취득했습니다 (acquired a patent) or 특허를 등록했습니다 (registered a patent) often sounds more sophisticated in written reports or official announcements. 특허내다 has a slightly more active, 'getting things done' vibe that is great for speech but might feel a bit casual in a legal contract.

우리는 그 기술에 대해 특허를 냈습니다. (We have patented that technology.)

There are several words related to 특허내다 that vary based on the specific stage of the legal process or the level of formality. Understanding these will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise. The most common alternative is 특허를 받다 (to receive a patent), which focuses on the outcome rather than the effort of the person. Another is 특허를 취득하다 (to acquire a patent), which is the formal, academic version of the word.

Comparison: 특허내다 vs. 특허 출원하다
'특허내다' is the general act of getting a patent. '출원하다' specifically means the act of applying/filing the paperwork before it is granted.

If you are talking about the final step where the patent is officially recorded in the government's ledger, you use 특허 등록하다 (to register a patent). In many contexts, people use 특허내다 and 특허 등록하다 interchangeably, but '등록' is the technical legal term. For smaller inventions that aren't quite 'patents' but still need protection, Koreans use 실용신안을 내다 (to obtain a utility model right).

A: 이번 발명품 특허냈어요? (Did you patent this invention?)
B: 네, 지난달에 등록까지 마쳤어요. (Yes, I even finished the registration last month.)

Finally, consider the word 전매특허 (jeon-mae-teuk-heo). While it literally means a 'monopoly patent,' it is often used idiomatically to describe someone's unique skill or trademark behavior. For example, "That sarcastic laugh is his 'patent' (specialty)." In this case, you wouldn't use the verb 내다, but rather the noun phrase. This shows how deeply the concept of 'patenting' is embedded in the Korean language as a metaphor for uniqueness.

Formal Alternatives
특허를 보유하다 (to hold/possess a patent), 특허권을 행사하다 (to exercise patent rights).

저희 회사는 100건 이상의 기술을 특허낸 상태입니다. (Our company is in a state of having patented over 100 technologies.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the past, '특허' was used for any special permission from the king, but in modern times, it has been strictly narrowed down to intellectual property law.

Pronunciation Guide

UK tʰɯkʰʌ-nɛda
US tʰɯkʰʌ-nɛda
Stress is usually on the first syllable '특' (Teuk).
Rhymes With
꺼내다 (kkeonaeda) 끝내다 (kkeutnaeda) 겁내다 (geopnaeda) 흉내다 (hyungnaeda) 빛내다 (bitnaeda) 힘내다 (himnaeda) 화내다 (hwanaeda) 성내다 (seongnaeda)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing '특' as 'Tuk' (like duck). It should be a sharp, aspirated 'T'.
  • Confusing '내다' with '네다'. The 'ae' sound is distinct.
  • Mumbling the 'h' in 'heo'. It should be clearly articulated.
  • Forgetting the aspiration in 'k' of 'heo'.
  • Pronouncing it too slowly; it's usually spoken as one quick unit.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in news and business articles once you know the Hanja '특허'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct conjugation and understanding of the object particle.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but the 'teuk' sound needs clarity.

Listening 3/5

Common in business news; easy to pick out among technical terms.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

만들다 (To make) 새롭다 (To be new) 생각 (Idea) 종이 (Paper/Document) 내다 (To produce/pay)

Learn Next

변리사 (Patent Attorney) 등록하다 (To register) 권리 (Right) 침해하다 (To infringe) 보호하다 (To protect)

Advanced

지식재산권 (Intellectual Property Rights) 실용신안 (Utility Model) 우선권 주장 (Priority Claim) 명세서 (Specification)

Grammar to Know

-(으)려고 (In order to)

아이디어를 보호하려고 특허냈어요.

-기 위해서 (For the purpose of)

돈을 벌기 위해서 특허냈습니다.

-ㄴ/은/는 (Noun Modifying)

제가 특허낸 기술입니다.

-(으)면 (If/When)

특허내면 기분이 좋을 거예요.

-아/어 놓다 (To do something for future use)

미리 특허내 놓으세요.

Examples by Level

1

이 인형을 특허낼 거예요.

I will patent this doll.

Future tense '-(을) 거예요'.

2

새로운 아이디어를 특허내고 싶어요.

I want to patent a new idea.

Desire form '-고 싶어요'.

3

그는 가방을 특허냈어요.

He patented the bag.

Past tense '-었/았어요'.

4

이것은 제가 특허낸 물건입니다.

This is the thing I patented.

Noun modifying form '-ㄴ'.

5

특허내기 쉬워요?

Is it easy to patent?

Noun form '-기' + '쉽다'.

6

우리 같이 특허내요.

Let's patent it together.

Suggestive/Polite ending '-아요/어요'.

7

엄마가 맛있는 요리를 특허냈어요.

Mom patented a delicious dish.

Subject marker '-가'.

8

특허내면 돈을 벌 수 있어요.

If you patent it, you can make money.

Conditional '-(으)면'.

1

새로 개발한 엔진을 특허냈습니다.

I patented the newly developed engine.

Formal polite '-습니다'.

2

회사에서 이 기술을 특허내기로 했어요.

The company decided to patent this technology.

Decision form '-기로 하다'.

3

특허내려면 어디로 가야 해요?

Where should I go to patent it?

Intention '-(으)려면'.

4

이 디자인은 이미 특허낸 것입니다.

This design is already patented.

Adverb '이미' (already).

5

발명가는 자신의 작품을 특허냈어요.

The inventor patented his work.

Reflexive pronoun '자신'.

6

특허내지 않으면 위험해요.

It's dangerous if you don't patent it.

Negative conditional '-지 않으면'.

7

우리는 작년에 세 건을 특허냈어요.

We patented three items last year.

Counter word '건' (cases/items).

8

특허내고 나서 제품을 팔 거예요.

After patenting, I will sell the product.

Sequence '-고 나서'.

1

아이디어를 보호하기 위해서 특허냈습니다.

I patented it to protect the idea.

Purpose '-기 위해서'.

2

특허낸 덕분에 경쟁력을 갖게 되었어요.

Thanks to patenting it, I gained competitiveness.

Reason/Benefit '-ㄴ 덕분에'.

3

변리사의 도움을 받아 특허냈어요.

I patented it with the help of a patent attorney.

Auxiliary '-어/아 주다' logic.

4

특허내려고 서류를 준비하고 있어요.

I am preparing documents to patent it.

Present progressive '-고 있다'.

5

한국에서 특허내면 세계에서도 인정받아요.

If you patent it in Korea, it's recognized globally too.

Passive '인정받다'.

6

특허낸 기술이 아주 혁신적이에요.

The patented technology is very innovative.

Adjective '혁신적이다'.

7

이건 제가 직접 특허낸 발명품이에요.

This is an invention I patented myself.

Emphasis '직접' (directly/myself).

8

특허내지 말고 그냥 공개할까요?

Should I just disclose it instead of patenting?

Alternative '-지 말고'.

1

중소기업도 기술력을 입증하려면 특허내야 합니다.

Small businesses also need to patent to prove their technical prowess.

Necessity '-어야 하다'.

2

특허낸 지 벌써 10년이 지났네요.

It's already been 10 years since I patented it.

Time since '-ㄴ 지'.

3

해외 시장 진출을 위해 미국에서도 특허냈어요.

I patented it in the US as well for overseas market entry.

Market entry '진출'.

4

특허낸 권리를 남에게 빌려줄 수도 있어요.

You can also lend your patented rights to others.

Possibility '-ㄹ 수도 있다'.

5

그 회사는 매달 수십 개의 특허를 냅니다.

That company patents dozens of items every month.

Quantity '수십 개' (dozens).

6

특허내기 위한 절차가 생각보다 복잡해요.

The procedure for patenting is more complex than I thought.

Comparison '-보다'.

7

특허낸 사실을 홈페이지에 공지했습니다.

We announced the fact that we patented it on our website.

Noun '사실' (fact).

8

정부 지원을 받아서 특허낼 수 있었습니다.

I was able to patent it thanks to government support.

Ability '-ㄹ 수 있었다'.

1

원천 기술을 특허냄으로써 독점적 지위를 확보했다.

By patenting the original technology, they secured a monopoly position.

Method '-(으)로써'.

2

특허낸 범위가 너무 넓어서 분쟁의 소지가 있다.

The patented scope is too broad, so there is potential for dispute.

Potential/Room '소지'.

3

특허내지 않은 기술은 영업비밀로 보호받기도 한다.

Technologies that are not patented are sometimes protected as trade secrets.

Contrast '영업비밀' (trade secret).

4

회사는 방어적 목적으로 관련 기술을 대거 특허냈다.

The company patented a large number of related technologies for defensive purposes.

Quantity '대거' (in large numbers).

5

특허낸 이후에도 지속적인 유지 관리가 필요하다.

Continuous maintenance and management are necessary even after patenting.

Maintenance '유지 관리'.

6

특허내려고 시도했지만 선행 기술 때문에 거절당했다.

I tried to patent it, but it was rejected due to prior art.

Prior art '선행 기술'.

7

연구 결과가 상용화되기 전에 특허내야만 한다.

One must patent research results before they are commercialized.

Commercialization '상용화'.

8

특허낸 기술의 가치를 평가하는 기준이 모호하다.

The criteria for evaluating the value of patented technology are vague.

Evaluation '가치 평가'.

1

표준 특허를 내는 것은 글로벌 시장의 주도권을 쥐는 일이다.

Obtaining a standard patent is a matter of taking the lead in the global market.

Standard patent '표준 특허'.

2

특허낸 권리가 소멸되지 않도록 연차료를 납부해야 한다.

Annual fees must be paid so that patented rights do not expire.

Expiration '소멸'.

3

전략적으로 특허내지 않고 시장에 출시하는 경우도 허다하다.

There are many cases where products are strategically released without patenting.

Frequency '허다하다' (numerous).

4

특허낸 명세서의 기재 불비로 인해 권리가 무효화되었다.

The rights were invalidated due to insufficient description in the patented specification.

Invalidation '무효화'.

5

크로스 라이선스를 위해 핵심 기술을 특허냈다.

We patented core technologies for the purpose of cross-licensing.

Cross-licensing '크로스 라이선스'.

6

특허낸 기술이 공공의 이익을 침해한다는 비판이 제기되었다.

Criticism was raised that the patented technology infringes on the public interest.

Public interest '공공의 이익'.

7

특허내지 못한 기술은 모방의 위협에 고스란히 노출된다.

Technologies that fail to be patented are fully exposed to the threat of imitation.

Adverb '고스란히' (entirely/just as it is).

8

특허낸 기술을 기반으로 로열티 수입을 극대화하고 있다.

We are maximizing royalty income based on patented technology.

Maximization '극대화'.

Common Collocations

특허를 내다
기술을 특허내다
아이디어를 특허내다
디자인을 특허내다
해외에 특허내다
공동으로 특허내다
독점적으로 특허내다
비밀리에 특허내다
특허낼 가치
특허낼 계획

Common Phrases

특허낸 제품

— A patented product. Used in advertising to show quality.

이것은 특허낸 제품이라서 믿을 수 있어요.

특허낸 기술

— A patented technology. Focuses on the method used.

우리 회사는 특허낸 기술을 보유하고 있습니다.

특허내기 어렵다

— To be difficult to patent. Refers to strict requirements.

요즘은 기준이 높아서 특허내기 어려워요.

특허내러 가다

— To go to patent something. Usually means going to the office or attorney.

오늘 특허내러 변리사 사무실에 가요.

특허낸 사람

— The person who patented it; the patentee.

이 기술을 특허낸 사람이 누구예요?

특허내고 싶다

— To want to patent. Expresses an ambition.

저도 언젠가는 제 발명품을 특허내고 싶어요.

특허내야 한다

— Must patent. Expresses necessity.

아이디어를 뺏기지 않으려면 특허내야 해요.

특허낸 이유

— The reason for patenting.

당신이 이 기술을 특허낸 이유가 뭐죠?

특허낸 날짜

— The date of patenting.

특허낸 날짜를 확인해 보세요.

특허낸 번호

— The patent number.

특허낸 번호를 가르쳐 주세요.

Often Confused With

특허내다 vs 저작권 (Copyright)

Use this for books, music, and art, not 특허내다.

특허내다 vs 상표 (Trademark)

Use this for brand names and logos, not 특허내다.

특허내다 vs 신청하다 (Apply)

General application; 특허내다 is specific to patents.

Idioms & Expressions

"전매특허다"

— To be one's specialty or trademark behavior. Not literal.

그의 썰렁한 농담은 그의 전매특허다.

Informal
"특허를 따다"

— To 'win' or 'grab' a patent. Implies a competitive effort.

치열한 경쟁 끝에 특허를 땄어요.

Colloquial
"특허를 먹다"

— To 'eat' a patent (Slang). To take over or monopolize a patent.

대기업이 그 특허를 다 먹어버렸어.

Slang
"특허가 깡패다"

— A patent is like a 'thug' (Slang). Meaning a patent is the ultimate power in business.

결국 이 바닥에선 특허가 깡패지.

Slang
"특허를 굴리다"

— To 'roll' a patent. To actively use a patent for business profit.

특허만 내지 말고 잘 굴려야지.

Business
"특허를 썩히다"

— To let a patent 'rot.' To have a patent but not use it.

좋은 특허를 왜 그냥 썩히고 있어요?

Informal
"특허로 도배하다"

— To 'wallpaper' with patents. To patent every single small detail.

그 회사는 신제품을 특허로 도배했어.

Informal
"특허를 걸다"

— To 'hang' a patent. To file a lawsuit based on a patent.

상대방에게 특허를 걸어서 방해했다.

Legal
"특허의 늪"

— A 'swamp' of patents. A situation where too many patents block innovation.

특허의 늪에 빠져서 개발이 힘들다.

Academic
"특허 사냥꾼"

— Patent Troll. A person/company that buys patents just to sue others.

특허 사냥꾼 때문에 스타트업들이 고생한다.

News

Easily Confused

특허내다 vs 특허를 내다

Looks like the same word.

It is the same, but '특허내다' is often used as a single verb, while '특허를 내다' emphasizes the noun object.

특허를 냈어요 vs 특허냈어요.

특허내다 vs 특허가 나다

Similar sounds.

'특허내다' is active (I did it); '특허가 나다' is passive (The patent came out).

드디어 특허가 났어요! (Finally, the patent was issued!)

특허내다 vs 특허를 주다

Translation error.

Only the government 'gives' (grants) a patent. An inventor 'obtains' (내다) it.

정부가 특허를 주었습니다.

특허내다 vs 발명하다

Related process.

'발명하다' is to create the thing; '특허내다' is to get the legal right for it.

발명하고 나서 바로 특허냈어요.

특허내다 vs 등록하다

Synonymous in context.

'등록하다' is more technical and applies to many things (school, gym), while '특허내다' is specific.

특허를 등록했습니다.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Noun]을/를 특허내다

가방을 특허내다.

A2

[Noun]을/를 특허내고 싶다

아이디어를 특허내고 싶어요.

B1

[Noun]을/를 특허내기 위해 [Verb]

기술을 특허내기 위해 노력해요.

B2

[Noun]을/를 특허낸 지 [Time]

특허낸 지 삼 년 됐어요.

C1

[Noun]을/를 특허냄으로써 [Result]

기술을 특허냄으로써 시장을 장악했다.

C2

[Noun]을/를 특허낼 권리

그는 기술을 특허낼 권리가 있다.

Advanced

특허낼 만한 가치가 있다

이 발명은 특허낼 만한 가치가 있다.

Professional

특허낸 기술을 기반으로

특허낸 기술을 기반으로 사업을 한다.

Word Family

Nouns

특허 (Patent)
특허권 (Patent Right)
특허청 (Patent Office)
특허권자 (Patentee)
특허법 (Patent Law)

Verbs

특허받다 (To receive a patent)
특허하다 (To grant a patent - used by the state)
특허출원하다 (To file a patent application)

Adjectives

특허된 (Patented)
특허가 가능한 (Patentable)

Related

발명 (Invention)
저작권 (Copyright)
상표 (Trademark)
디자인권 (Design Right)
변리사 (Patent Attorney)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional, news, and technical contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • 아이디어가 특허냈어요. 아이디어를 특허냈어요.

    The idea cannot be the subject performing the action; you patent the idea.

  • 책을 특허냈어요. 책의 저작권을 등록했어요.

    Books are copyrighted, not patented.

  • 특허를 신청냈어요. 특허를 냈어요 / 신청했어요.

    Don't combine '신청' (apply) and '내다' in this way.

  • 특허를 주었어요. 특허를 받았어요 / 취득했어요.

    You don't 'give' yourself a patent; the government grants it, or you obtain it.

  • 특허내기 했어요. 특허내기로 했어요.

    When expressing a decision, use the '-기로 하다' pattern.

Tips

Patent Pride

Koreans see patents as a high achievement. If you say you '특허냈다', people will be very impressed.

Object Particle

Always try to include '을/를' in formal writing to be grammatically precise.

The 'Nae-da' family

Notice how '내다' is used in many words like '소문내다' (spread rumors) or '끝내다' (finish).

Protection first

In Korea, the 'first-to-file' rule applies. You must '특허내다' before you show your idea to the public.

Marketing

Many Korean products have '특허 제12345호' printed on them to prove they are high-tech.

Sharp 'T'

Make sure the 'T' in 'Teuk' is sharp and distinct from 'D'.

Compound Verb

In modern Korean, it is often written as one word without a space: 특허내다.

TOPIK Tip

This word often appears in TOPIK II reading passages about technology and economy.

Special Permission

Remember: Teuk (Special) + Heo (Permission) + Naeda (Get it out).

Attorney

If you hear the word '변리사', the verb '특허내다' is almost always coming next.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'TEUK' as 'TOP' and 'HEO' as 'HELLO'. You say 'Hello' to the 'Top' government office to 'NAE' (produce) a patent.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright lightbulb (idea) being stamped with a giant gold seal (특허) and then being pushed out (내다) of a machine.

Word Web

Idea Invention Lawyer Government Money Protection Technology Design

Challenge

Try to think of one thing in your room that was probably '특허낸' and say it out loud: '이 [Object]은 특허낸 거예요.'

Word Origin

Composed of the Sino-Korean noun '특허' (特許) and the native Korean verb '내다'. '특' (特) means special, and '허' (許) means permit or allow.

Original meaning: A special permit granted by a monarch or authority for exclusive rights.

Sino-Korean (Hanja) + Native Korean.

Cultural Context

Always ensure you are talking about 'inventions' or 'methods'. Using '특허내다' for artistic works (like a poem) is culturally and legally incorrect; use '저작권' instead.

In English, we often say 'to patent' as a single verb. In Korean, the combination of a noun and an auxiliary-like verb is more common.

Samsung vs Apple patent wars (특허 전쟁) Jang Yeong-sil (famous Joseon inventor) The KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office) mascot

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Startup Pitch

  • 이미 특허낸 기술입니다.
  • 특허낼 계획이 있나요?
  • 특허낸 범위가 어디까지인가요?
  • 특허낸 덕분에 투자를 받았습니다.

In an Engineering Lab

  • 이거 특허낼 수 있을까요?
  • 실험 결과를 특허내야 해요.
  • 특허내기 전에 논문 쓰지 마세요.
  • 교수님과 공동으로 특허냈어요.

Business News

  • 삼성이 신기술을 특허냈다.
  • 특허낸 기술이 도용당했다.
  • 해외에서도 특허낼 예정이다.
  • 특허낸 건수가 증가하고 있다.

Legal Advice

  • 특허내려면 서류가 필요해요.
  • 변리사를 통해 특허냈습니다.
  • 특허내기 위한 비용이 얼마죠?
  • 특허낸 권리를 보호받으세요.

Casual Bragging

  • 나 이거 특허낼 거야!
  • 너 그거 특허냈어?
  • 특허내면 부자 되겠다.
  • 이거 내가 특허낸 아이디어야.

Conversation Starters

"혹시 살면서 뭔가를 특허내고 싶다는 생각을 해본 적 있어요? (Have you ever thought about wanting to patent something in your life?)"

"한국이 세계에서 특허를 가장 많이 내는 나라 중 하나라는 걸 아세요? (Do you know that Korea is one of the countries that patents the most in the world?)"

"최근에 어떤 회사가 아주 신기한 기술을 특허냈대요. (I heard some company patented a very amazing technology recently.)"

"자신의 아이디어를 특허내는 것이 왜 중요하다고 생각하세요? (Why do you think it is important to patent one's ideas?)"

"특허내기 위해서 가장 필요한 것은 무엇일까요? (What would be the most necessary thing to patent something?)"

Journal Prompts

만약 내가 세상에 없는 물건을 발명한다면, 무엇을 특허내고 싶은지 써보세요. (If you invented something that doesn't exist in the world, write about what you would want to patent.)

특허낸 기술이 사회에 미치는 긍정적인 영향과 부정적인 영향에 대해 토론해 보세요. (Discuss the positive and negative impacts of patented technology on society.)

내가 만약 변리사라면, 사람들의 아이디어를 어떻게 특허내도록 도와줄 것인지 적어보세요. (If you were a patent attorney, write about how you would help people patent their ideas.)

특허내지 않고 모든 기술을 공유하는 세상은 어떨까요? (What would a world be like where no technology is patented and everything is shared?)

내가 특허낸 아이디어를 누군가 훔쳐갔을 때의 기분과 대처 방법을 써보세요. (Write about how you would feel and what you would do if someone stole an idea you patented.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. YouTube videos are protected by copyright (저작권), not patents. Patents are for technical inventions or new methods.

It is okay, but '특허 취득' or '특허 보유' sounds more professional in a written resume.

'출원하다' means you just submitted the application. '특허내다' can mean the whole process or that you successfully got it.

Yes, '우리 회사가 특허냈어요' is very common.

It usually takes about 1.5 to 2 years, though there are faster ways.

Yes, if the recipe involves a truly unique and non-obvious technical process, it can be patented.

It is 特 (Special) and 許 (Permission).

No, you cannot patent a word. You might trademark (상표) a brand name, though.

It is highly recommended to use a '변리사' (patent attorney) because the process is very complex.

Yes, the term is used, though their patent system operates differently under a socialist economy.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate: 'I patented my invention last year.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'Why do you want to patent this idea?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The company decided to patent the new technology.'

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writing

Translate: 'It is hard to patent this design.'

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writing

Translate: 'I met a lawyer to patent it.'

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writing

Write a sentence using '특허낸' as an adjective.

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writing

Write a sentence using '특허낼 거예요'.

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writing

Translate: 'Did you patent it already?'

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writing

Translate: 'I need to patent this to protect my rights.'

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writing

Write a sentence about a famous company patenting something.

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writing

Translate: 'He is famous for patenting many things.'

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writing

Translate: 'Don't disclose it before you patent it.'

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writing

Translate: 'The patenting process takes a long time.'

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writing

Translate: 'We patented it jointly with another team.'

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writing

Write a sentence using '특허내면'.

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writing

Translate: 'Is this patented technology?'

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writing

Translate: 'I will patent the world's first robot.'

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writing

Translate: 'How many patents did you obtain?'

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writing

Translate: 'I failed to patent it.'

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writing

Write a short dialogue about patenting.

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speaking

Say 'I patented it' in informal polite Korean.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Ask 'Did you patent this?' in polite Korean.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I want to patent my idea.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The company patented a new design.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I will patent it next year.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Ask 'How do I patent this?'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'This is a patented product.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I patented it to protect the technology.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Don't patent that.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I am proud that I patented it.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'We should patent this together.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I already patented it in the US.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I need a patent attorney.'

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speaking

Say 'Is it expensive to patent?'

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speaking

Say 'I spent two years patenting this.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'It's a world-first patented technology.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I will patent it soon.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Why didn't you patent it?'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I have three patents.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Congratulations on patenting your work!'

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen to the scenario: A man is talking to a lawyer about his new invention. What is he trying to do?

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listening

Listen to a news report: 'Samsung has successfully patented a new screen.' What did Samsung do?

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listening

Listen to a person bragging: 'I finally got that gold seal on my document!' What word relates to this?

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listening

Listen to a warning: 'If you show your idea on YouTube now, you can't patent it later.' What is the warning about?

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listening

Listen to a question: '이거 이미 특허낸 거예요?' What is the speaker asking?

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listening

Listen to a statement: '특허내는 데 돈이 너무 많이 들어서 포기했어요.' Why did they give up?

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listening

Listen to a colleague: '우리 이거 특허낼까요?' What is the colleague suggesting?

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listening

Listen to a professor: '논문 쓰기 전에 특허부터 내세요.' What should be done first?

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listening

Listen to an ad: '특허낸 기술로 만든 최고의 침대!' What is special about the bed?

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listening

Listen to a conversation: '변리사 만났어?' '응, 특허내기로 했어.' What was the result of the meeting?

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listening

Listen to a complaint: '누가 내 아이디어를 특허냈어!' What happened?

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listening

Listen to a fact: '한국은 특허를 많이 내는 나라입니다.' What is said about Korea?

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listening

Listen to a requirement: '특허를 내려면 명세서가 필요합니다.' What is needed to patent?

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listening

Listen to a question: '언제 특허냈어요?' What is the speaker asking?

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listening

Listen to a plan: '내년에 미국에서도 특허낼 거예요.' Where will they patent next year?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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