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B2 noun #3,500 most common 7 min read

여론

yeoron Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 여론 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 여론 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '여론' (yeoron) often. Just think of it as 'what many people think.' Imagine a big group of people all saying 'yes' or 'no' together. In simple Korean, you can think of it like '사람들의 생각' (people's thoughts). You might hear it on the news. It is a noun. For example, if many people like a new park, that is 'good yeoron.' If they don't like it, that is 'bad yeoron.' You don't use it for yourself. You use it for the public.

At the A2 level, you can start recognizing '여론' (yeoron) in news headlines or simple articles. It means 'public opinion.' It is used when talking about a whole city or country. You might learn the phrase '여론이 좋다' (public opinion is good) or '여론이 나쁘다' (public opinion is bad). It is a useful word for explaining why something is popular or unpopular in society. Remember, it's a formal word, so you won't use it with your friends to talk about a movie, but you might use it to talk about a new law.

At the B1 level, you should understand that '여론' (yeoron) is a collective noun. It is often used with verbs like '형성되다' (to be formed). You will see it in intermediate reading passages about social issues. For example, '인터넷에서 여론이 형성되었다' means 'Public opinion was formed on the internet.' You should also know '여론 조사' (public opinion poll), which is how companies and governments find out what people think. It's a key word for discussing news and current events in a more structured way.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '여론' (yeoron) with its common collocations and understand its social implications. You should be able to discuss how '여론' is '수렴' (collected) or '호도' (misled). You understand that '여론' is a powerful force in Korean democracy. You can use it in TOPIK II essays to describe societal trends. For instance, you might write about how '여론의 압박' (pressure of public opinion) can lead to changes in government policy. You also distinguish it from '민심' (popular sentiment) and '의견' (individual opinion).

At the C1 level, you recognize '여론' (yeoron) as a tool of political and social analysis. You can discuss '여론 조작' (manipulation of public opinion) and the role of '프레이밍' (framing) in shaping it. You understand the nuances of '공론화' (bringing to public debate) and how '여론' interacts with '권력' (power). You can analyze how different media outlets attempt to sway '여론' and use the term in academic or professional contexts with precision. You are familiar with more obscure idioms and formal structures involving this word.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '여론' (yeoron) and its historical and sociological weight. You can engage in complex debates about the 'tyranny of the majority' (다수의 횡포) and how it relates to '여론'. You understand the philosophical difference between '여론' and '진리' (truth). You can read high-level editorials that use '여론' to critique the state of democracy or the ethics of journalism. You use the word with perfect naturalness, incorporating it into sophisticated arguments about the 'public sphere' (공론장) and its evolution in the digital age.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

여론 in 30 Seconds

Yeoron means 'public opinion'—the collective voice of the people on social or political issues.
It is a formal noun used in news, politics, and media rather than in casual personal conversations.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'form' (형성), 'collect' (수렴), and 'mislead' (호도).
It differs from 'uigyeon' (personal opinion) as it always refers to a large group or society.

The word 여론 (Yeoron) is a fundamental concept in Korean social and political discourse, representing the collective pulse of the nation. At its core, it translates to 'public opinion,' but its weight in Korean society often carries more gravity than the English equivalent might suggest in casual conversation. It refers to the shared viewpoints, sentiments, and judgments held by a significant portion of the population regarding specific issues, policies, or social phenomena. In a country with a high level of digital connectivity and a history of passionate civic engagement, 여론 is frequently cited as the primary driver for political change, corporate accountability, and social reform.

Political Context: In politics, 여론 acts as the ultimate judge. Politicians and government agencies constantly monitor 여론 조사 (yeoron josa), or public opinion polls, to gauge the feasibility of new laws or to measure presidential approval ratings. When a policy is said to 'go against 여론,' it often leads to immediate protests or strategic retreats by the ruling party.
Social Media & Digital Influence: In the modern era, 여론 is heavily shaped by 'Netizen' culture. Online forums, news comment sections, and social media platforms like KakaoTalk or X (formerly Twitter) serve as the breeding grounds for 여론. A single viral post can shift the national 여론 within hours, a phenomenon often described as 여론의 향방 (the direction of public opinion).

이번 선거는 여론의 흐름을 정확히 읽는 것이 승부의 관건입니다.
(In this election, the key to victory is accurately reading the flow of public opinion.)

The term consists of two Hanja characters: 輿 (여) meaning 'cart' or 'public' and 論 (론) meaning 'discussion' or 'argument'. Historically, it suggested the discussions heard in the public square or among the common people. Today, it remains a pillar of democracy, often described with verbs like 형성되다 (to be formed), 수렴하다 (to collect/converge), and 호도하다 (to mislead). Understanding 여론 is essential for anyone looking to navigate Korean media or participate in high-level discussions about Korean society.

정부는 여론의 비판을 겸허히 수용하기로 했습니다.
(The government has decided to humbly accept the criticism from public opinion.)

Common Collocations

여론 조작 (Yeoron jojak): Public opinion manipulation.
여론 몰이 (Yeoron mori): Stirring up public opinion (often with a negative connotation of mob mentality).
여론의 향방 (Yeoron-ui hyangbang): The direction/trend of public opinion.

Using 여론 correctly requires understanding its role as a collective noun. It functions as the subject or object in sentences concerning societal trends, media reports, and political actions. Because it represents a massive group of people, it is often paired with verbs that describe movement, formation, or response.

SNS를 통해 부정적인 여론이 급격히 확산되었습니다.
(Negative public opinion spread rapidly through social media.)

In formal Korean, 여론 is frequently used with the particle -이/가 (subject) or -을/를 (object). For example, when the public is angry, we say "여론이 좋지 않다" (public opinion is not good) or "여론이 들끓고 있다" (public opinion is boiling/seething). When a leader wants to know what people think, they "여론을 살핀다" (examine/observe public opinion).

Structure: 여론 + Verb of Formation: To describe how public opinion is created: 여론이 형성되다 (Public opinion is formed), 여론을 조성하다 (To create/foster public opinion). These are common in news reports discussing how media coverage influences the masses.
Structure: 여론 + Verb of Response: To describe reacting to public opinion: 여론을 수렴하다 (To collect/gather public opinion), 여론에 밀리다 (To be pushed/forced by public opinion), 여론을 의식하다 (To be conscious of public opinion).

새로운 정책에 대한 찬반 여론이 팽팽하게 맞서고 있습니다.
(Public opinion for and against the new policy is tightly balanced.)

Advanced learners should note the use of 여론 in compound nouns. Words like 여론조사기관 (public opinion research institute) or 여론주도층 (opinion leaders) are common in academic and journalistic writing. When writing an essay (TOPIK II level), using 여론 to argue for democratic processes or social change will significantly increase your score for vocabulary range.

You will encounter 여론 daily if you engage with Korean media. It is perhaps the most over-represented word in news broadcasts, talk shows, and political debates. Because South Korea is a highly politicized society where 'citizen power' is a point of national pride, the state of 여론 is treated as a vital sign of the country's health.

On the 9 PM News: News anchors often start segments with: "최근 여론은..." (Recent public opinion is...). They use it to introduce poll results about the economy, foreign relations, or celebrity scandals. If a celebrity is involved in a controversy, the news will report on the "싸늘한 여론" (chilly/cold public opinion) against them.
In Corporate PR: Large companies like Samsung or Hyundai have departments dedicated to monitoring 여론. If a product has a defect, they must manage the 여론 to prevent a boycott. You might hear a PR manager say, "여론을 반전시키기 위한 대책이 필요합니다" (We need measures to reverse public opinion).

인터넷 커뮤니티의 여론이 방송국에 전달되어 프로그램이 폐지되었습니다.
(The public opinion from internet communities was conveyed to the broadcasting station, leading to the program's cancellation.)

In university settings, students studying sociology, political science, or journalism will use 여론 to discuss 'The Spiral of Silence' (침묵의 나선 이론) or the 'Agenda Setting' function of the media. In these contexts, 여론 is not just a trend but a scientific object of study. If you are watching a K-Drama involving lawyers or politicians (like 'Chief of Staff' or 'Stranger'), 여론 is often used as a weapon to pressure the prosecution or the opposition party.

While 여론 is straightforward, English speakers often trip up by confusing it with similar but distinct Korean words for 'opinion' or 'rumor.' Understanding the boundaries of 여론 will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation app.

Mistake 1: Using 여론 for Personal Views: You cannot say "제 여론은..." (My public opinion is...). 여론 is inherently plural and collective. For your own view, use 의견 (uigyeon) or 생각 (saenggak). 여론 is the forest, while 의견 is the individual tree.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 소문 (Somun): 소문 means 'rumor' or 'gossip.' While 여론 can be based on rumors, it implies a more formal, widespread consensus or judgment. 소문 is often unverified information, whereas 여론 is the public's reaction to information (whether true or false).

❌ 학교에 이상한 여론이 돌고 있어. (Wrong: A strange public opinion is circulating in school.)
✅ 학교에 이상한 소문이 돌고 있어. (Correct: A strange rumor is circulating in school.)

Another mistake is overusing 여론 in casual settings. Using 여론 while talking about what your five friends want to eat for lunch sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic. It is a 'big' word. Use it for 'big' groups—citizens, netizens, the general public. If you use it for a small group, it sounds like you are pretending to be a news reporter.

To truly master 여론, you must see how it sits alongside its synonyms. Each word for 'opinion' or 'consensus' in Korean has a specific 'flavor' and register.

여론 (Yeoron) vs. 민심 (Minsim): 여론 is often seen as objective, measurable (via polls), and potentially volatile. 민심 (People's heart) is deeper and more stable. Politicians often say, "The yeoron changes every day, but the minsim is what we must fear." Minsim has a slightly more traditional, emotive feel.
여론 (Yeoron) vs. 공론 (Gongron): 공론 (Public discussion/consensus) refers more to the process of public debate or a finalized public agreement. While 여론 is what people think, 공론 is the formalized discussion of those thoughts. For example, 공론화하다 means 'to bring something to public discussion.'

단순한 여론을 넘어 사회적 합의가 필요합니다.
(Beyond mere public opinion, a social consensus is needed.)

If you want to sound more academic, you might use 중론 (Jungron), which means 'prevailing opinion' or 'general consensus among experts.' If you want to talk about a 'craze' or 'fever' rather than an 'opinion,' use 열풍 (Yeolpung). For example, 'The yeoron on electric cars' is about policy and safety, but 'The electric car yeolpung' is about everyone buying them.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, the 'cart' (輿) symbol was used because public officials would listen to the talk of the people as they traveled through the streets in their carriages. Thus, 'yeoron' was literally the talk heard from the carriage.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jʌ.ɾon/

US /jɔ.ɾon/

The stress is even on both syllables, as is typical in Korean.

Rhymes With

토론 (toron - discussion) 이론 (iron - theory) 결론 (gyeolron - conclusion) 물론 (mulron - of course) 언론 (eonron - the press) 본론 (bonron - main point) 서론 (seoron - introduction) 소론 (soron - small essay)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yeo' as 'yo' (like 'go'). It should be more open.
Pronouncing 'r' as an English 'r' with the tongue curled back. It should be a light tap.
Pronouncing 'ron' like 'run'. It should have an 'o' sound.
Stopping the sound between 'yeo' and 'ron'. It should flow smoothly.
Adding an 'n' sound to 'yeo' (like 'yeon-ron'). Keep the first syllable clean.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news but requires knowledge of Hanja-based context.

Writing 5/5

Using it naturally in an essay requires understanding complex collocations.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is easy, but it's rarely used in casual daily speech.

Listening 4/5

News anchors speak fast when using this word in political contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

의견 (opinion) 사람들 (people) 뉴스 (news) 사회 (society) 생각 (thought)

Learn Next

공론화 (public discussion) 조사 (investigation/survey) 형성 (formation) 반영 (reflection) 정치 (politics)

Advanced

대의 민주주의 (representative democracy) 권력 (power) 선동 (incitement) 합의 (consensus) 매스컴 (mass communication)

Grammar to Know

-에 대한 (About/Regarding)

정치에 대한 여론이 좋지 않다.

-에 의해 (By/Due to)

여론에 의해 정책이 바뀌었다.

-자 (As soon as/Since)

여론이 악화되자 사과했다.

-기 위해 (In order to)

여론을 잠재우기 위해 노력했다.

-ㄹ수록 (The more... the more...)

여론이 나쁠수록 더 조심해야 한다.

Examples by Level

여론이 아주 좋습니다.

Public opinion is very good.

여론 (Public opinion) + 이 (subject particle) + 좋다 (to be good).

사람들의 여론을 보세요.

Look at the people's public opinion.

여론 + 을 (object particle) + 보다 (to see).

여론은 중요합니다.

Public opinion is important.

여론 + 은 (topic particle) + 중요하다 (to be important).

나쁜 여론이 있어요.

There is bad public opinion.

나쁜 (bad) + 여론 + 이 + 있다 (to exist).

여론이 바뀌었어요.

Public opinion has changed.

여론 + 이 + 바뀌다 (to change) in past tense.

뉴스가 여론을 만들어요.

News makes public opinion.

뉴스 + 가 + 여론 + 을 + 만들다 (to make).

여론이 궁금해요.

I am curious about public opinion.

여론 + 이 + 궁금하다 (to be curious).

여론을 들어보세요.

Please listen to public opinion.

여론 + 을 + 듣다 (to listen) in polite command form.

정부는 여론 조사를 했어요.

The government did a public opinion poll.

여론 조사 (opinion poll) is a common compound noun.

인터넷 여론이 뜨거워요.

Internet public opinion is 'hot' (passionate).

'뜨겁다' is used metaphorically for intense public interest.

여론이 안 좋아서 취소했어요.

Because public opinion was not good, it was canceled.

-아서/어서 (reason particle) connects the bad opinion to the cancellation.

많은 사람들이 여론을 따라요.

Many people follow public opinion.

여론 + 을 + 따르다 (to follow).

여론을 무시하면 안 돼요.

You should not ignore public opinion.

-면 안 되다 (should not) expresses prohibition.

새로운 여론이 나타났어요.

A new public opinion has appeared.

나타나다 (to appear) in past tense.

여론의 힘은 아주 셉니다.

The power of public opinion is very strong.

여론 + 의 (possessive) + 힘 (power).

여론이 어떻게 변할까요?

How will public opinion change?

-ㄹ까요? is used for wondering or asking for an opinion.

대중 매체는 여론 형성에 큰 영향을 줍니다.

Mass media has a big influence on the formation of public opinion.

여론 형성 (formation of public opinion) is a key B1 phrase.

반대 여론이 거세게 일고 있습니다.

Opposition public opinion is rising fiercely.

'거세게 일다' is a common expression for strong trends or opinions.

이번 정책은 여론을 수렴하여 결정되었습니다.

This policy was decided after collecting public opinion.

수렴하다 (to converge/collect) is a formal verb used with 여론.

여론이 악화되자 기업은 사과문을 발표했습니다.

As public opinion worsened, the company released an apology.

-자 (as soon as/since) indicates a causal link.

정치인들은 항상 여론의 향방을 주시합니다.

Politicians always keep a close eye on the direction of public opinion.

주시하다 (to observe closely) is more formal than 보다.

여론이 긍정적으로 돌아서기 시작했습니다.

Public opinion has started to turn positive.

돌아서다 (to turn around/shift) describes a change in sentiment.

여론을 호도하는 기사가 많아지고 있습니다.

There are more and more articles that mislead public opinion.

호도하다 (to mislead/camouflage) is a high-level verb.

여론이 분열되어 사회적 갈등이 깊어졌습니다.

Public opinion is divided, so social conflict has deepened.

분열되다 (to be divided/split).

부정적인 여론을 잠재우기 위해 보상안을 마련했다.

They prepared a compensation plan to quiet negative public opinion.

잠재우다 (to put to sleep/quiet down) is used metaphorically.

여론의 뭇매를 맞은 연예인이 활동을 중단했다.

The celebrity, who was hit by the 'lash' of public opinion, stopped their activities.

여론의 뭇매 (lash of public opinion) is a common idiomatic expression.

이번 사건으로 인해 여론이 급격히 냉각되었습니다.

Due to this incident, public opinion has cooled down rapidly.

냉각되다 (to be cooled down) implies a loss of support or interest.

여론을 등에 업고 개혁안을 추진하기로 했습니다.

They decided to push the reform plan with public opinion on their side.

등에 업다 (to carry on one's back) means to have someone's support.

여론의 추이를 지켜본 뒤에 결정을 내릴 예정입니다.

We plan to make a decision after watching the trend of public opinion.

추이 (trend/progress) is a formal word for 'flow'.

일방적인 보도는 여론을 왜곡할 위험이 있습니다.

One-sided reporting carries the risk of distorting public opinion.

왜곡하다 (to distort) is frequently used in media criticism.

여론이 들끓자 정부는 즉각적인 조치를 취했습니다.

When public opinion boiled over, the government took immediate action.

들끓다 (to boil/seethe) describes intense public anger.

전문가들은 여론의 변화를 면밀히 분석하고 있습니다.

Experts are closely analyzing the changes in public opinion.

면밀히 (closely/minutely) is a high-level adverb.

여론의 향배가 정권의 운명을 결정짓는 요소가 되었다.

The direction of public opinion has become a factor that determines the fate of the regime.

향배 (direction/attitude) is a very formal synonym for 향방.

특정 집단이 여론을 독점하는 것은 민주주의의 위협이다.

A specific group monopolizing public opinion is a threat to democracy.

독점하다 (to monopolize).

여론의 외면을 받는 정책은 결코 성공할 수 없다.

A policy that is ignored by public opinion can never succeed.

외면을 받다 (to be ignored/turned away from).

언론의 프레이밍에 의해 여론이 양극화되고 있다.

Public opinion is being polarized by the framing of the media.

양극화 (polarization) is a key socio-political term.

여론을 환기시키기 위한 새로운 캠페인이 시작되었다.

A new campaign has started to arouse/awaken public opinion.

환기시키기 (to arouse/ventilate/bring attention to).

여론의 반향이 예상보다 훨씬 컸습니다.

The reverberation (reaction) of public opinion was much larger than expected.

반향 (echo/reverberation/reaction).

여론의 화살이 부패한 관료들을 향하고 있습니다.

The arrows of public opinion are pointing toward corrupt officials.

여론의 화살 (arrows of public opinion) is a common metaphor for blame.

여론에 영합하는 정치는 포퓰리즘으로 흐를 위험이 있다.

Politics that panders to public opinion risks sliding into populism.

영합하다 (to pander/cater to) often has a negative connotation.

여론은 실체가 없는 허상일 수도 있다는 비판이 제기된다.

Criticism is raised that public opinion might be an illusion without substance.

허상 (illusion/phantom) and 실체 (substance/reality).

디지털 공론장에서의 여론 형성은 과거와 질적으로 다르다.

Formation of public opinion in the digital public sphere is qualitatively different from the past.

질적으로 (qualitatively) and 공론장 (public sphere).

여론의 향방을 예측하는 알고리즘이 선거 공학에 도입되었다.

Algorithms that predict the direction of public opinion have been introduced into election engineering.

선거 공학 (election engineering) is a highly technical term.

여론이라는 미명 하에 소수자의 인권이 침해되어서는 안 된다.

Human rights of minorities should not be violated under the pretext of public opinion.

미명 하에 (under the pretext/beautiful name of).

집단 지성이 여론으로 승화되는 과정에 대한 연구가 활발하다.

Research on the process by which collective intelligence is sublimated into public opinion is active.

승화되다 (to be sublimated/elevated).

여론의 가변성은 현대 정치의 가장 큰 불확실성 중 하나이다.

The variability of public opinion is one of the greatest uncertainties of modern politics.

가변성 (variability/mutability).

여론의 전방위적인 압박이 제도적 변화를 이끌어냈다.

Omnidirectional pressure from public opinion led to institutional changes.

전방위적 (omnidirectional/all-around).

여론의 담론 지형을 분석하는 것은 사회학의 핵심 과제이다.

Analyzing the discourse landscape of public opinion is a core task of sociology.

담론 지형 (discourse landscape).

Synonyms

민심 공론 중론

Antonyms

독단

Common Collocations

여론 조사

여론 형성

여론 조작

여론 수렴

여론 몰이

여론의 향방

여론에 밀리다

여론을 환기하다

여론이 들끓다

여론을 의식하다

Common Phrases

여론이 나쁘다

— The public has a negative view of something. Often used for celebrities or politicians.

지금 그 배우에 대한 여론이 아주 나빠요.

여론을 살피다

— To observe or gauge what people are thinking before acting. Common for leaders.

대통령은 결정을 내리기 전 여론을 살폈다.

여론의 뭇매

— To face severe public criticism or 'lashing.' Used when someone is widely hated.

거짓말을 한 정치인이 여론의 뭇매를 맞았다.

여론이 팽팽하다

— Public opinion is split exactly 50/50. Used for controversial topics.

찬성과 반대 여론이 팽팽하게 맞서고 있다.

여론을 주도하다

— To lead or influence public opinion. Usually refers to media or influencers.

그 신문사는 오랫동안 여론을 주도해 왔다.

여론을 호도하다

— To intentionally mislead the public. Often used in accusations against media.

사실을 왜곡하여 여론을 호도하지 마세요.

여론이 형성되다

— Public opinion is being built or created around a topic.

새로운 법안에 대한 긍정적인 여론이 형성되었다.

여론의 반발

— Public backlash or resistance to a decision.

세금 인상은 거센 여론의 반발을 샀다.

여론을 반영하다

— To reflect what the people want in a decision or product.

이 디자인은 소비자들의 여론을 반영한 것입니다.

여론의 도마 위에 오르다

— To become a subject of intense public scrutiny or 'be on the chopping block.'

그의 발언이 여론의 도마 위에 올랐다.

Often Confused With

여론 vs 의견

Uigyeon is for individuals; Yeoron is for the whole public.

여론 vs 소문

Somun is unverified gossip; Yeoron is a widespread public stance.

여론 vs 유언비어

Yueonbieo is a harmful false rumor; Yeoron is a collective opinion.

Idioms & Expressions

"여론의 뭇매를 맞다"

— To be severely criticized by the general public simultaneously.

음주 운전을 한 가수가 여론의 뭇매를 맞고 은퇴했다.

Common

"여론을 등에 업다"

— To gain power or momentum by having the support of public opinion.

그 후보는 여론을 등에 업고 당선되었다.

Formal

"여론이 들끓다"

— Public opinion is extremely agitated, angry, or excited (like boiling water).

갑작스러운 요금 인상에 여론이 들끓고 있다.

Common

"여론의 화살을 피하다"

— To avoid being the target of public blame or criticism.

그는 책임을 전가하며 여론의 화살을 피하려 했다.

Neutral

"여론을 잠재우다"

— To calm down angry or controversial public sentiment.

정부는 신속한 사과로 여론을 잠재우려 노력했다.

Neutral

"여론의 도마 위에 오르다"

— To be scrutinized and criticized publicly, as if being prepared for 'cooking.'

그 기업의 갑질 행태가 여론의 도마 위에 올랐다.

Common

"여론을 호도하다"

— To distract the public from the truth by focusing on irrelevant things.

가짜 뉴스는 여론을 호도하는 가장 큰 원인이다.

Formal

"여론의 향방을 가르다"

— To determine which way public opinion will swing.

이번 토론회가 여론의 향방을 가를 중요한 분수령이 될 것이다.

Formal

"여론에 편승하다"

— To jump on the bandwagon of current public opinion for personal gain.

일부 정치인들은 여론에 편승하여 인기 영합주의적인 발언을 한다.

Critical

"여론을 수렴하다"

— To gather and integrate various public voices into a single policy or decision.

시민들의 여론을 수렴하기 위한 공청회가 열렸다.

Formal

Easily Confused

여론 vs 민심

Both mean 'people's thoughts.'

Yeoron is more clinical and media-based; Minsim is deeper and more emotional/traditional.

여론은 매일 바뀌지만 민심은 쉽게 변하지 않는다.

여론 vs 공론

Both involve public views.

Yeoron is the state of what people think; Gongron is the process of talking about it publicly.

여론을 바탕으로 공론화 과정을 거쳤다.

여론 vs 중론

Both mean majority opinion.

Jungron is often used for expert consensus or a smaller specific group's main view.

학계의 중론은 이 이론이 맞다는 것이다.

여론 vs 대세

Both describe trends.

Daese is more about popularity and what is 'cool' or 'winning' at the moment.

이미 그 가수가 대세라는 것이 여론이다.

여론 vs 평판

Both involve public judgment.

Pyeongpan is more like 'reputation' or 'rating' of a specific entity.

그 식당은 여론의 평판이 아주 좋다.

Sentence Patterns

여론이 + 형용사 (좋다/나쁘다)

여론이 나빠요.

여론이 + 형성되다

새로운 여론이 형성되었습니다.

여론을 + 수렴하다

시민의 여론을 수렴합니다.

여론에 + 밀리다/부합하다

정부는 여론에 밀려 사퇴했다.

여론의 + 향방/추이

여론의 향방을 지켜봅시다.

여론을 + 호도하다/왜곡하다

언론이 여론을 호도하고 있다.

여론의 + 뭇매/화살

그는 여론의 뭇매를 맞았다.

여론이라는 + 미명 하에

여론이라는 미명 하에 폭력이 정당화될 수 없다.

Word Family

Nouns

여론조사 (public opinion poll)

여론조작 (opinion manipulation)

여론가 (opinion leader/commentator)

여론전 (war of public opinion)

Verbs

여론화하다 (to make something a matter of public opinion)

여론을 형성하다 (to form public opinion)

여론을 수렴하다 (to collect public opinion)

언론 (the press/media)

대중 (the masses/public)

민심 (popular sentiment)

투표 (voting)

지지율 (approval rating)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news media; low in casual family conversations.

Common Mistakes

제 여론은 이렇습니다. → 제 의견은 이렇습니다.
You cannot have a personal 'yeoron'. It must be collective.
여론 조작을 듣다. → 여론을 수렴하다.
You don't 'listen' to manipulation; you 'collect' or 'listen to' the opinion itself.
여론들이 아주 많아요. → 여론이 아주 다양해요.
Yeoron is an uncountable collective noun. Do not use the plural marker '-들'.
여론을 만들다 (for personal gain). → 여론을 조작하다 / 여론 몰이를 하다.
If you mean 'making' opinion in a bad way, use the specific negative terms.
소문이 좋아서 그 정책이 통과됐다. → 여론이 좋아서 그 정책이 통과됐다.
'Somun' is gossip; policy is influenced by 'Yeoron' (formal public opinion).

Tips

Learn the Hanja

舆 (Public) + 論 (Discussion). Knowing that 'Ron' means discussion helps you connect it to words like 'Toron' (debate) and 'Iron' (theory).

Power of Netizens

In Korea, internet portals like Naver and Daum are where 'Yeoron' is born. Checking the 'most commented' news sections gives you a direct look at current public opinion.

Subjective Particles

Use '여론이' when public opinion is doing something (e.g., changing), and '여론을' when someone is doing something to it (e.g., investigating).

News Watching

Watch the first 5 minutes of 'KBS News 9'. You will almost certainly hear 'Yeoron' used in a political or social context. It's great for listening practice.

TOPIK Prep

In the TOPIK II writing section, '여론' is a high-scoring word. Use it to explain the 'cause' of a social change or the 'result' of a policy.

Avoid Personal Use

Never say 'My yeoron is...'. This is the most common mistake for English speakers. Always keep it collective.

Opinion Polls

Memorize '여론 조사' as one single block. You will rarely see 'Yeoron' alone when talking about statistics.

Negative Connotation

Terms like '여론 몰이' and '여론 조작' are negative. Be careful not to use them when you mean a positive gathering of opinions.

Fillers

In a formal debate, saying '여론의 흐름을 보면...' (Looking at the flow of public opinion...) is a great way to start a point.

Identify the Tone

If a speaker's voice gets intense when saying '여론', they are likely talking about '여론이 들끓다' (boiling opinion) or '여론의 뭇매' (criticism).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'YO-YO' spinning in a 'ROOM'. A YO-YO (Yeo) in a ROOM (Ron). Public opinion is like a yo-yo—it goes up and down, and it's what everyone in the 'room' (society) is talking about.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant megaphone standing in the middle of a crowded Seoul street, absorbing all the speech bubbles from the people and turning them into a single giant cloud labeled 여론.

Word Web

Politics Media Polls Netizens Democracy Consensus Internet Comments News

Challenge

Try to find one news article today on a Korean news site (like Naver News) that contains the word 여론. Write down the sentence and translate it.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 輿 (여) and 論 (론).

Original meaning: 舆 (여) originally meant a 'carriage' or 'cart,' but by extension, it came to mean 'the world' or 'the public' (the people who fill the streets). 論 (론) means 'to discuss,' 'to argue,' or 'theory.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '여론' to justify something, as it can sometimes be criticized as 'populism' (포퓰리즘) if it ignores the law or minority rights.

While 'Public Opinion' in English often feels like a statistical data point, in Korean, '여론' is often described as a living, breathing, and sometimes angry force.

The 'Candlelight Protests' are the ultimate example of 여론 taking physical form. The term '여론 조작' (opinion manipulation) was central to the 'Druking' scandal in Korean politics. K-Dramas like 'The Devil Judge' explore the dangers of 여론-based justice.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Election Season

여론 조사 결과
여론이 뒤바뀌다
여론을 의식한 공약
부동층 여론

Corporate Crisis

악화된 여론
여론을 잠재우다
여론의 비판
여론에 호소하다

Social Media Trends

인터넷 여론
여론 몰이
실시간 여론
여론의 향방

Academic Writing

여론 형성 과정
여론의 왜곡
여론과 미디어
지배적 여론

Legal/Court Cases

여론의 재판
국민적 여론
여론을 반영한 판결
싸늘한 여론

Conversation Starters

"요즘 그 뉴스에 대한 여론이 어떤 것 같아요? (What do you think public opinion is about that news lately?)"

"한국에서는 여론 조사가 정말 자주 있는 것 같아요. (It seems like there are public opinion polls very often in Korea.)"

"여론이 항상 옳다고 생각하시나요? (Do you think public opinion is always right?)"

"SNS가 여론 형성에 어떤 역할을 한다고 보세요? (What role do you think social media plays in forming public opinion?)"

"최근 여론이 급격히 변한 사례가 있을까요? (Are there any cases where public opinion changed rapidly recently?)"

Journal Prompts

당신이 생각하는 '건강한 여론'이란 무엇인지 써 보세요. (Write about what you think 'healthy public opinion' is.)

최근 당신의 나라에서 여론이 가장 뜨거웠던 이슈는 무엇이었나요? (What was the issue where public opinion was hottest in your country recently?)

여론 조작의 위험성에 대해 자신의 생각을 정리해 보세요. (Organize your thoughts on the dangers of public opinion manipulation.)

언론이 여론을 어떻게 변화시키는지 사례를 들어 설명해 보세요. (Explain with examples how the media changes public opinion.)

여론과 개인의 소신 중 무엇이 더 중요하다고 생각합니까? (Which do you think is more important: public opinion or individual conviction?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, it sounds very sarcastic or overly formal. It's better to use '우리 가족의 의견' (our family's opinion). '여론' usually implies a much larger scale, like a whole city or nation.

'여론 조사' is a poll or survey to guess what people think. '투표' is the actual act of voting in an election to make a decision. '여론 조사' often predicts the '투표' results.

No, it's neutral. There can be '긍정적 여론' (positive) or '부정적 여론' (negative). However, when people say '여론이 무섭다' (public opinion is scary), they are usually referring to negative backlash.

The most common term is '여론 조작' (yeoron jojak). This is a very serious accusation in Korean politics and media.

Yes, but in a different context. It is often used to describe the 'unanimous support' of the people for the state, whereas in South Korea, it reflects a diverse and often conflicting range of views.

It means to be 'pushed' or forced to change one's mind or policy because the public pressure is too strong to resist.

Yes, news outlets often report on '여론' regarding a celebrity's scandal to show how the public feels about their behavior.

It refers to intentionally stirring up or driving public opinion in a certain direction, often through emotional appeals or biased information. It usually has a negative connotation.

'여론' is like a snapshot of what people say today. '민심' is the deeper, more historical 'heart' of the people's sentiment.

'여론을 수렴하다' (to collect/converge public opinion) is the standard formal expression used by organizations.