긍지
A feeling of deep satisfaction and self-respect for one's own achievements or identity.
Explanation at your level:
You feel 긍지 when you do a good job. It is like saying 'I am proud of me.' You use it when you are happy about your work or your family. It is a very good, strong word for your heart.
When you work hard at school, you feel 긍지. It means you respect yourself. If you win a game or help a friend, you can say, 'I have 긍지.' It is a positive word for being a good person.
In daily life, 긍지 is the feeling of self-worth you get from your achievements. It is different from being arrogant. It is about knowing your value. People use it to describe their profession or their culture with respect.
Using 긍지 shows that you possess a mature sense of self-respect. It is often used in professional contexts to describe a 'sense of mission.' Unlike vanity, it is a grounded emotion that helps you stay motivated even when things get difficult.
At an advanced level, 긍지 represents a philosophical alignment between one's actions and one's internal moral compass. It is often used in literary or formal discourse to describe the dignity of a group or a nation. It implies a sense of honor that is earned through persistence and integrity.
Mastery of 긍지 involves understanding its nuanced distinction from '오만' (arrogance). While 오만 is a negative, inflated sense of self, 긍지 is a virtuous, earned self-regard. It is deeply embedded in cultural narratives regarding duty and legacy, often appearing in historical accounts of individuals who maintained their standards against great adversity.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 긍지 means pride or dignity.
- It is a positive, internal feeling.
- It is often used with '가지다' or '느끼다'.
- It is distinct from arrogance (오만).
When we talk about 긍지, we are talking about more than just being happy; we are talking about dignity and self-worth. It is that quiet, steady feeling that tells you, 'I have done well, and I stand by who I am.'
Think of it as the emotional anchor for your identity. When someone says they take 긍지 in their work, they aren't just bragging—they are saying they respect the effort they put in. It is a very positive, internal motivator.
The word 긍지 is a Sino-Korean term. The character 긍 (肯) originally meant 'to agree' or 'to be willing,' while 지 (持) means 'to hold' or 'to maintain.'
Historically, this word evolved to describe the act of 'holding onto one's agreement with oneself.' It suggests that you are in harmony with your own values. Over centuries, it became the standard term for a noble sense of pride that isn't arrogant but grounded in truth.
You will often see 긍지 used in formal settings or when discussing professional ethics. It is common to hear phrases like 'take pride in' or 'maintain dignity.' It is a register that sits comfortably in both professional speeches and personal reflection.
It is rarely used in casual, slang-heavy conversation. Instead, it is the word of choice when you want to emphasize integrity and long-term commitment to a goal or a community.
While 긍지 is a noun, it often appears in set phrases:
- 긍지를 갖다 (to have pride): The most common way to express this feeling.
- 긍지를 느끼다 (to feel pride): Used when the emotion hits you in a specific moment.
- 긍지를 심어주다 (to instill pride): Used by mentors or teachers to help others believe in themselves.
- 긍지를 잃지 않다 (to not lose one's pride): Staying strong during hard times.
- 긍지를 높이다 (to raise one's pride): Boosting morale.
As a noun, 긍지 functions as the subject or object of a sentence. It is an abstract noun, meaning it is uncountable and does not take plural markers. The pronunciation is /geung-ji/. Note the 'ng' sound at the end of the first syllable; it is a soft, nasal sound.
Think of it as rhyming with the feeling of 'purity' in its structure—clean and direct. Always place the stress on the first syllable to sound natural and confident.
Fun Fact
The character 肯 (geung) implies 'meat on the bone,' meaning to agree to something essential.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'gung-jee'
Sounds like 'gung-jee'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'geun-ji'
- Missing the nasal 'ng' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Requires context
Formal usage
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun + 을/를
긍지를 가지다
Adjective + 게
긍지 높게
Verb + 는 것
긍지를 느끼는 것
Examples by Level
나는 긍지가 있다.
I have pride.
Simple subject-verb structure.
그는 자신의 일에 긍지를 느낀다.
우리 팀은 긍지가 높다.
긍지를 가지세요.
그녀는 긍지가 대단하다.
우리는 긍지를 배운다.
긍지는 좋은 것이다.
그는 긍지를 잃지 않았다.
긍지를 보여주세요.
그는 자신의 직업에 큰 긍지를 가지고 있다.
우리 학교는 긍지가 있는 곳이다.
그녀는 긍지를 가지고 도전했다.
긍지를 심어주는 선생님이 되자.
그것은 우리 모두의 긍지다.
긍지를 지키는 것은 중요하다.
그는 긍지 어린 태도로 말했다.
긍지를 바탕으로 성장한다.
그는 자신의 전통을 지키는 데 긍지를 느낀다.
국가대표로서의 긍지를 잊지 마라.
그녀는 자신의 성과에 대해 긍지를 가질 자격이 있다.
긍지는 삶의 원동력이 된다.
그들은 긍지를 가지고 위기를 극복했다.
긍지를 잃는 것은 자신을 잃는 것이다.
그의 말에는 긍지가 배어 있었다.
긍지 높은 태도가 그를 돋보이게 했다.
그는 자신의 철학을 긍지로 삼아 살아간다.
그의 긍지는 고난 속에서 더욱 빛을 발했다.
사명감과 긍지는 성공의 핵심이다.
그녀는 긍지를 지키기 위해 타협하지 않았다.
그의 긍지는 단순한 자존심 그 이상이었다.
우리는 세대를 이어 긍지를 전수해야 한다.
긍지는 외부의 평가보다 내면의 가치를 중시한다.
그의 긍지는 깊은 울림을 주었다.
그의 삶은 끊임없는 자기 성찰과 긍지의 기록이었다.
긍지는 인간이 가질 수 있는 가장 고귀한 감정 중 하나이다.
그는 긍지를 잃지 않음으로써 스스로를 구원했다.
그의 긍지는 시대를 초월한 가치를 지닌다.
긍지는 오만함과 명확히 구분되는 품격이다.
그는 자신의 운명을 긍지로 받아들였다.
긍지는 내면의 평화를 유지하는 열쇠이다.
그의 긍지는 역사의 한 페이지를 장식했다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"긍지를 굽히지 않다"
To not compromise one's pride.
그는 끝까지 긍지를 굽히지 않았다.
formal"긍지를 세우다"
To establish or uphold one's pride.
그는 자신의 긍지를 세웠다.
formal"긍지를 버리다"
To abandon one's self-respect.
결코 긍지를 버려선 안 된다.
neutral"긍지를 되찾다"
To regain one's pride.
그는 다시 긍지를 되찾았다.
neutral"긍지를 자극하다"
To provoke someone's pride.
그의 말이 나의 긍지를 자극했다.
neutral"긍지를 공유하다"
To share a sense of pride.
우리는 긍지를 공유하는 팀이다.
neutralEasily Confused
Sounds similar.
금지 means prohibition.
주차 금지 (No parking) vs. 긍지 (Pride).
Both relate to self-regard.
오만 is negative arrogance.
그의 오만함 vs. 그의 긍지.
Both mean pride.
자존심 is often defensive.
자존심을 세우다 vs. 긍지를 가지다.
Very similar meaning.
자부심 is more common in daily speech.
일의 자부심 vs. 일의 긍지.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 긍지를 + 느끼다
나는 내 일에 긍지를 느낀다.
Subject + 긍지를 + 가지다
우리는 긍지를 가져야 한다.
Subject + 긍지를 + 심어주다
그는 나에게 긍지를 심어주었다.
Subject + 긍지를 + 잃지 않다
그는 끝까지 긍지를 잃지 않았다.
Subject + 긍지를 + 바탕으로
긍지를 바탕으로 도전했다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
긍지 is positive self-respect, 오만 is negative arrogance.
자존심 is often defensive; 긍지 is often about achievement.
긍지 is a noun, it needs a verb like 가지다.
긍지 is too formal for simple 'boasting'.
금지 means prohibition, a totally different word.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'Gung-ho' soldier standing tall.
Native Context
Use it when talking about your career.
Cultural Insight
It is highly valued in Korean work culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair with '가지다' or '느끼다'.
Say It Right
Focus on the nasal 'ng'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse with '금지' (prohibition).
Did You Know?
It means 'holding agreement' in Chinese characters.
Study Smart
Write a diary entry using this word.
Rhyme Time
Rhyme it with '먼지' (dust) to remember the sound.
Professional Tip
Use it in your resume!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Gung-ho' soldier who has 'Gung-ji' (pride) in their mission.
Visual Association
A person standing tall with their head held high.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down three things you are proud of today.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To hold (持) one's agreement/willingness (肯).
Cultural Context
Highly positive; used to encourage people.
Equates to 'pride' or 'dignity' in English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 직업에 대한 긍지
- 긍지를 가지고 일하다
- 팀의 긍지
At school
- 학업에 대한 긍지
- 긍지를 심어주는 교육
- 학생의 긍지
National events
- 국민의 긍지
- 국가적 긍지
- 긍지를 높이다
Personal growth
- 나만의 긍지
- 긍지를 찾는 과정
- 긍지를 지키는 삶
Conversation Starters
"당신이 가장 긍지를 느끼는 일은 무엇인가요?"
"긍지를 가지고 일한다는 것은 어떤 의미일까요?"
"어떻게 하면 아이들에게 긍지를 심어줄 수 있을까요?"
"긍지와 오만은 어떻게 다를까요?"
"당신의 삶에서 가장 긍지 어린 순간은 언제인가요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 내가 한 일 중 긍지를 느낀 것은 무엇인가?
나의 긍지를 지키기 위해 나는 무엇을 할 수 있는가?
내가 긍지를 가지게 된 계기는 무엇인가?
긍지 높은 사람이 되기 위해 필요한 태도는 무엇인가?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 자랑 is often about showing off, while 긍지 is internal.
Yes, it is a great word to teach them self-esteem.
It is standard but sounds more serious than casual words.
It is perfectly fine in written communication.
No, you must use a helper verb like 가지다.
Yes, it is very common in that context.
Rarely, unless used ironically.
Gung-jee, with a nasal ending.
Test Yourself
나는 내 일에 ___를 느낀다.
긍지 is the correct word for pride.
Which word is the opposite of 긍지?
수치 (shame) is the opposite.
긍지 is a negative word.
It is a very positive word.
Word
Meaning
Matching the phrase with meaning.
Correct structure: Subject + Object + Verb.
그는 자신의 전통을 지키는 데 ___를 느낀다.
긍지 fits the context of pride in tradition.
긍지 and 오만 are synonyms.
They have opposite connotations.
What does '긍지를 심어주다' mean?
심어주다 means to plant/instill.
A complete philosophical sentence.
Word
Meaning
Nuance in adjectives.
Score: /10
Summary
긍지 is the quiet, earned pride that comes from living true to your own values.
- 긍지 means pride or dignity.
- It is a positive, internal feeling.
- It is often used with '가지다' or '느끼다'.
- It is distinct from arrogance (오만).
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'Gung-ho' soldier standing tall.
Native Context
Use it when talking about your career.
Cultural Insight
It is highly valued in Korean work culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair with '가지다' or '느끼다'.
Example
그는 자신의 직업에 대한 긍지를 가지고 있다.
Related Content
More emotions words
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
