B1 noun #6,000 most common 2 min read

질책

A rebuke is when someone tells you that you did something wrong in a serious way.

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Explanation at your level:

You use 질책 when someone is very angry at a mistake. It is a serious word for 'scolding'. You do not use it with friends. You use it at work or school.

질책 is a formal noun. It means to tell someone they did something wrong. If a boss is unhappy with your work, they might give you a 질책. It is serious and professional.

In B1, you learn that 질책 implies a formal correction. It is common in news reports or business meetings. It is stronger than simple advice; it is a firm critique of poor performance or behavior.

At this level, you understand the nuance that 질책 is an authoritative act. It is distinct from 'criticism' (비판) because it focuses on the accountability of the person being addressed. It is often used in political or corporate contexts.

질책 functions as a tool for enforcing standards. In advanced usage, it can describe a systemic or institutional response to failure. It is a heavy word that carries the weight of moral or professional judgment, often used in literature to describe a character's internal or external conflict regarding duty.

Mastering 질책 involves understanding its etymological roots and its specific register in formal discourse. It is used to convey a sense of 'censure' or 'reproach' that goes beyond simple correction. In high-level writing, it serves to heighten the gravity of a situation, marking the transition from minor error to significant failure of responsibility.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Formal criticism
  • Used in professional settings
  • Implies correction
  • Stronger than advice

The word 질책 (rebuke) is a powerful term used when someone needs to address a mistake seriously. It isn't just a casual comment; it carries a weight of authority and disappointment.

Think of it as a formal way of saying, 'You did this wrong, and you need to fix it.' It is often used in professional or serious settings where accountability is key.

Using this word shows that you are being direct and clear about your disapproval. It is a tool for correction, not just for being mean.

The word 질책 is derived from Sino-Korean roots. The character (叱) means to scold or shout, while (責) means to demand, blame, or hold responsible.

Historically, this word was used in administrative and legal contexts to describe the act of holding an official accountable for their errors. It has evolved into a standard term for any serious reprimand.

Understanding these roots helps you see why the word feels so heavy. It combines the act of vocalizing disapproval with the weight of moral or professional obligation.

You will most likely hear 질책 in formal settings like workplaces or academic environments. It is rarely used in casual conversation between friends.

Commonly, it appears with verbs like 받다 (to receive a rebuke) or 하다 (to issue a rebuke). It suggests a vertical power structure where the person rebuking has the right to judge the other.

When you use this word, be aware that it signals a serious situation. It is not a word to use lightly if you want to maintain a friendly atmosphere.

While 질책 is a formal noun, it often appears in phrases like 질책을 면치 못하다 (to be unable to avoid a rebuke). This means someone is definitely going to get in trouble.

Another common expression is 따가운 질책 (a stinging rebuke), which emphasizes how much the criticism hurts the ego of the recipient.

These idioms show how the word is used to describe the inevitability of facing consequences for one's actions.

In Korean, 질책 functions as a noun. You can attach particles like -을 (object marker) or -이 (subject marker) to it.

The pronunciation is straightforward, but ensure the 'l' sound in the first syllable is crisp. It is a two-syllable word that carries a sharp, authoritative tone when spoken aloud.

It does not have a plural form, as it represents an abstract concept of criticism rather than a countable object.

Fun Fact

It uses two strong characters that emphasize both the act of speaking and the act of demanding.

Pronunciation Guide

UK N/A

N/A

US N/A

N/A

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the final consonant
  • Weakening the first syllable
  • Incorrect pitch

Rhymes With

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Formal

Writing 3/5

Requires formal tone

Speaking 3/5

Formal

Listening 3/5

Common in news

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

잘못 비판

Learn Next

견책 질타

Advanced

책망

Grammar to Know

Noun usage

질책을 하다

Examples by Level

1

그는 질책을 받았다.

He received a rebuke.

Subject + object + verb

1

상사의 질책이 두렵다.

2

그는 질책을 피할 수 없었다.

3

질책은 나를 성장시킨다.

4

선생님의 질책이 있었다.

5

부모님의 질책을 들었다.

6

그는 질책을 달게 받았다.

7

질책보다는 격려가 필요하다.

8

그의 질책은 정당했다.

1

그는 무거운 질책을 받았다.

2

질책을 면하기 위해 노력했다.

3

공개적인 질책은 피해야 한다.

4

그의 질책은 매우 날카로웠다.

5

질책을 통해 잘못을 깨달았다.

6

그는 질책을 겸허히 수용했다.

7

질책의 의미를 새겨들었다.

8

이번 질책은 뼈아픈 교훈이 되었다.

1

그는 질책을 감수하고 사실을 말했다.

2

질책의 수위가 점점 높아지고 있다.

3

그녀는 질책을 피하려고 변명했다.

4

질책은 정당한 절차를 거쳐야 한다.

5

그의 질책에는 애정이 담겨 있었다.

6

질책을 받는 것은 누구에게나 힘들다.

7

질책은 때로 필요한 조치이다.

8

그는 질책을 듣고 반성했다.

1

그의 질책은 조직의 기강을 바로잡았다.

2

질책은 단순한 비난을 넘어선 것이다.

3

그는 질책을 통해 자신의 과오를 직시했다.

4

질책은 리더가 갖추어야 할 덕목 중 하나다.

5

질책의 무게를 견디는 것이 성장의 과정이다.

6

그는 질책을 통해 책임감을 배웠다.

7

질책은 변화를 위한 촉매제가 될 수 있다.

8

질책의 강도는 상황에 따라 달라야 한다.

1

질책의 논리는 매우 엄격하고 단호했다.

2

그는 자신의 행동에 대한 질책을 달게 받았다.

3

질책은 권위의 상징이기도 하다.

4

질책을 통한 교정은 효과적일 수 있다.

5

그의 질책은 깊은 통찰을 담고 있었다.

6

질책은 성숙한 사회를 만드는 과정이다.

7

질책을 두려워하지 않는 자세가 중요하다.

8

질책은 진정한 성장을 위한 고통이다.

Common Collocations

질책을 받다
질책을 하다
질책을 면하다
따가운 질책
엄중한 질책
질책을 피하다
질책을 수용하다
질책을 듣다
질책을 가하다
질책을 일삼다

Idioms & Expressions

"질책을 면치 못하다"

cannot avoid a rebuke

그는 이번 사건으로 질책을 면치 못할 것이다.

formal

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""

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Easily Confused

질책 vs 비난

both mean criticism

비난 is more about blaming, 질책 is about correction

비난하다 vs 질책하다

Sentence Patterns

A2

Subject + 질책을 + 받다

그는 질책을 받았다.

Word Family

Nouns

질책 rebuke

Verbs

질책하다 to rebuke

Related

책망 synonym

How to Use It

frequency

7

Formality Scale

Formal Professional Neutral N/A

Common Mistakes

Using 질책 for casual scolding Use 꾸중
질책 is too formal for friends.
Confusing 질책 with 비난
Using 질책 as a verb directly
Misusing in a friendly context
Ignoring the power dynamic

Tips

💡

Professional context

Always use it in professional settings.

💡

Verb form

Use 질책하다 to make it a verb.

🌍

Hierarchy

Understand the power dynamic.

💡

Word roots

Break down Sino-Korean characters.

💡

Crisp sounds

Focus on the final consonant.

💡

Register

Don't use with friends.

💡

History

Roots in administrative law.

💡

Flashcards

Use with collocations.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Chill' (질) 'Check' (책) - someone checking your work and scolding you.

Visual Association

A boss pointing at a document.

Word Web

Correction Authority Responsibility

Challenge

Use the word in a formal email.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean

Original meaning: To scold and demand accountability

Cultural Context

Can be seen as aggressive if used incorrectly.

Similar to 'reprimand' or 'rebuke'.

Used frequently in corporate dramas

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace

  • 질책을 받다
  • 질책을 피하다
  • 질책을 가하다

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever received a serious rebuke?"

"How do you handle criticism?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you were rebuked.

Why is criticism important?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, 질책 is formal criticism, 욕 is profanity.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

그는 상사에게 ___을 받았다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 질책

Context requires a word for criticism.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'rebuke'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 질책

Direct definition.

true false B1

질책 is a casual word.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is formal.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Translation match.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subject-Object-Verb order.

Score: /5

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