기재하다

The Korean verb 기재하다 (gijae-hada) is a formal and administrative term that translates to 'to record,' 'to enter,' or 'to fill in' information in a specific document, form, or ledger. Derived from Hanja (Chinese characters), where 記 (기) means 'to record' and 載 (재) means 'to load' or 'to place in a book,' the word carries a heavy sense of official documentation. Unlike the general verb 쓰다 (to write) or 적다 (to jot down), 기재하다 is strictly reserved for situations where the information being recorded becomes part of an official record or a structured data set. You will most frequently encounter this word in government offices, banks, airports, and legal settings. When a clerk hands you a form and asks you to '기재해 주세요,' they are not just asking you to write; they are asking you to formally document your details into the required fields of that specific document.

Administrative Precision

In the context of Korean bureaucracy, precision is paramount. Using 기재하다 implies that the information must be accurate, as it will be used for verification purposes. For instance, when filling out a passport application, any information you 기재 must match your legal identity exactly.

The historical evolution of this word is tied to the Confucian tradition of meticulous record-keeping. In old Korea, the 'Sacho' (historiographical records) were maintained with the utmost care, and the concept of 'loading' information into a permanent book (載) reflects the permanence of the action. In the modern digital era, 기재하다 has seamlessly transitioned into digital interfaces. Even when you are typing your address into an online shopping mall's checkout page, the terms and conditions will often use the word 기재 to refer to the data entry process. This highlights the word's versatility across both physical paper and digital databases, provided the context remains formal or structured.

Legal Weight

In legal disputes, whether a certain fact was 기재 in a contract can be the deciding factor. It denotes a formal entry that carries weight in a court of law, distinguishing it from verbal agreements or casual notes.

Furthermore, the word is often used in the passive form 기재되다 (to be recorded). For example, '통장에 기재된 내역' refers to the transactions recorded in a bankbook. This usage is vital for understanding financial statements or official notifications. In summary, 기재하다 is the bridge between raw information and official data. It is the action that transforms your personal details into a recognized entity within a system, whether that system is a university enrollment list, a medical record, or a simple attendance sheet at a formal seminar.

Using 기재하다 correctly requires an understanding of its formal register and the typical objects it takes. As a transitive verb, it usually follows the pattern [Information]을/를 [Document]에 기재하다. The information can be anything from personal details (인적 사항) to specific facts (사실) or amounts (금액). The document is usually a form (신청서), a list (명단), or a ledger (장부). Because it is a formal word, it is rarely used with informal sentence endings like -어/아 unless in a very specific narrative context; instead, you will mostly see it in -하십시오 or -합니다 styles.

Case 1: Application Forms

The most common usage is in instructions. '성명과 연락처를 기재해 주십시오' (Please record your name and contact information). Here, the focus is on the completion of the form.

In a professional setting, 기재하다 is used when discussing reporting or auditing. A manager might say, '지출 내역을 장부에 기재했나요?' (Did you record the expenditure details in the ledger?). This implies a level of responsibility and formal accounting. Notice how 기재하다 replaces '쓰다' to elevate the professional tone of the question. It suggests that the act of writing is not just for memory, but for the company's official financial history.

Case 2: Correcting Information

When information is wrong, the verb is used to describe the error. '오기재하다' (to record incorrectly) is a specific compound often used in official notices to apologize for typos in documents.

Another nuance involves the difference between 기재하다 and 기록하다. While 기록하다 can mean breaking a world record or keeping a diary, 기재하다 is strictly about filling out predefined fields. You '기재' your age in a box, but you '기록' the events of a historical battle. Understanding this distinction helps you sound more like a native speaker who understands the 'systematic' nature of the word. In academic writing, you might use it to describe how data was entered into a research log, emphasizing the methodical approach taken during the study.

If you live in Korea or interact with Korean institutions, you will hear 기재하다 in several high-stakes environments. The most immediate place is the airport. When arriving in Korea, the customs declaration form (세관 신고서) and the arrival card (입국 신고서) both use this word in their instructions. The automated voice or the ground staff might say, '신고서에 기재된 내용이 사실과 다를 경우 처벌받을 수 있습니다' (If the contents recorded on the declaration form differ from the facts, you may be punished). This highlights the word's association with truth and legal obligation.

At the Bank

Banking is the second most common domain. When opening an account or applying for a loan, the teller will guide you through multiple forms. They will point to specific lines and say, '여기에 서명하시고, 아래에 주소를 기재해 주세요' (Please sign here and record your address below). In this context, it is a polite but firm request for data.

In the workplace, 기재하다 appears in the context of HR and project management. When you submit a resume (이력서), the HR manager looks at your '기재 사항' (recorded items). During a meeting, if a decision is made to change a policy, someone might be tasked to '회의록에 기재하다' (record it in the meeting minutes). This ensures that the decision is codified and can be referred back to later. It is also common in the medical field; doctors and nurses 기재 patient symptoms and vitals into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.

News and Media

News anchors often use this word when reporting on scandals or legal findings. '공시 서류에 허위 사실을 기재한 혐의로...' (On charges of recording false facts in public disclosure documents...). Here, it carries the weight of a forensic investigation.

Finally, in the digital world, pop-up windows often say, '필수 기재 항목입니다' (This is a required entry item). This is the standard way to tell a user they missed a mandatory field in an online form. Whether it's a physical ledger or a MySQL database, 기재하다 remains the gold standard for describing the act of formal data entry in the Korean language.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 기재하다 in casual conversations. Because it translates to 'write down' or 'record,' students might say, '친구 전화번호를 내 수첩에 기재했어' (I recorded my friend's phone number in my notebook). While grammatically correct, it sounds incredibly stiff—almost like you are a police officer processing a suspect. In casual settings, you should use 적다 or 메모하다. Reserved 기재하다 for when the 'notebook' is actually an official logbook or a registration ledger.

Confusing with '기기' or '기술'

Beginners sometimes confuse the '기' in 기재 with '기' in 기계 (machine) or 기술 (technology). While they share the same sound, the Hanja is different. 기재 is about 'recording' (記), not 'machinery' (機).

Another common error is the confusion between 기재하다 and 기록하다. Although they are synonyms, 기록하다 is much broader. You can '기록' a sports score, a historical event, or a personal achievement. 기재하다 is specifically about 'filling in' a document. If you say you '기재' a world record, people will be confused; it sounds like you are writing the record into a form rather than achieving it. Always ask yourself: 'Am I filling out a form or a structured list?' If yes, use 기재하다.

Incorrect Particle Usage

Sometimes learners use the particle -로 (by/with) instead of -에 (in/at). While you write *with* a pen (펜으로), you record information *in* a document (서류에). Ensure you say '서류에 기재하다'.

Lastly, don't forget the passive form. Learners often struggle with when to use 기재되다. If you are looking at a document and seeing what is already there, use the passive. '여기에 주소가 기재되어 있어요' (The address is recorded here). Using the active '기재해요' in this context would imply someone is currently in the act of writing it. Mastering these subtle distinctions between active/passive and formal/informal will significantly improve your Korean proficiency at the B2 level and beyond.

To truly master 기재하다, you must understand its place in the ecosystem of 'writing' verbs. Korean has a rich vocabulary for the act of recording information, each with its own specific register and context. The most common alternative is 기록하다, which we've touched upon. While 기재 is about forms, 기록 is about history, data, and achievements. If you are writing a history book, you are 기록-ing history. If you are filling out your name on the author's contract for that book, you are 기재-ing your name.

Comparison: 기재하다 vs. 작성하다

작성하다 (jaksung-hada) means 'to fill out' or 'to draw up' a whole document. 기재하다 refers to the specific act of putting details into that document. You 작성 an entire application form, but you 기재 your phone number within that form.

Another important word is 입력하다 (imnyeok-hada). This specifically means 'to input' or 'to type' into a computer or electronic device. In the modern world, 기재하다 and 입력하다 are often used interchangeably when dealing with digital forms. However, 기재하다 still carries a more 'official' and 'documentary' nuance, whereas 입력하다 is more focused on the technical act of data entry. If a website says '정보를 입력하세요,' it's a technical instruction. If it says '정보를 기재하세요,' it's emphasizing the formal nature of the information you are providing.

Comparison: 기재하다 vs. 명시하다

명시하다 (myeongsi-hada) means 'to specify' or 'to state clearly.' While 기재 is about the physical act of recording, 명시 is about the clarity and legal status of the information. A contract 명시-es the terms, and you 기재 your signature to agree to them.

Finally, consider 등록하다 (deungnok-hada), which means 'to register.' This is the end goal of 기재하다. You 기재 your information on a form so that you can 등록 for a class or a service. Understanding these synonyms allows you to navigate professional Korean environments with precision, choosing the exact word that fits the administrative step you are describing.