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엄격성

B2 noun #6,400 most common 7 min read

엄격성

eomgyeokseong Top 6,400

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 엄격성 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 엄격성 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '엄격성' is a very difficult word. You don't need to use it yet. Instead, you usually learn the adjective '엄격하다' (to be strict). For example, you might say '선생님이 엄격해요' (The teacher is strict). '엄격성' is the noun version of this word. It's like the difference between saying 'The teacher is strict' and 'The strictness of the teacher'. At this stage, focus on the basic idea: rules that must be followed and people who don't let you break them. Think of a very serious face or a big red 'X' on a paper. That feeling is the beginning of understanding '엄격성'. Use simple words like '무서워요' (is scary) or '규칙이 많아요' (there are many rules) to describe situations where '엄격성' might be present.

At the A2 level, you can start to recognize '엄격성' when you see it in news headlines or formal signs. You know that '-성' at the end of a word often makes it a noun that means 'the quality of' something (like '중요성' for importance). So, '엄격성' is the 'quality of being strict'. You might hear it in a sentence like '학교의 규칙은 엄격성이 필요합니다' (The school rules need strictness). However, you should still mostly use the verb '엄격하다'. Try to remember that this word is for formal situations. If you are talking about a game with friends, don't use it. If you are talking about a serious test or a law, you can try to use it to sound more grown-up. It's about being very serious about rules.

At the B1 level, you are moving into more complex topics. You can use '엄격성' to talk about social issues or school policies. You understand that it's not just about a person being 'mean', but about a system being 'rigorous'. For example, you can say '이 시험은 엄격성이 높아서 합격하기 힘들어요' (This exam has high rigor, so it is hard to pass). You should begin to pair it with common verbs like '유지하다' (to maintain) or '요구하다' (to demand). You can also start to distinguish it from '정확성' (accuracy). While '정확성' is about being correct, '엄격성' is about not being lazy or lenient. It's a key word for discussing discipline in a professional way.

At the B2 level, which is the target for this word, you should use '엄격성' with confidence in essays and formal discussions. You understand the nuance that it refers to an objective quality of a process or logic. You can use it in phrases like '논리적 엄격성' (logical rigor) or '절차적 엄격성' (procedural strictness). You are aware that this word is preferred in academic and legal contexts to describe the degree of adherence to standards. You can compare the '엄격성' of different systems, such as the strictness of environmental laws in Korea versus other countries. You should also be careful not to confuse it with '엄정성' (fairness/strictness) or '가혹성' (cruelty). Your usage should reflect a balance between discipline and necessity.

At the C1 level, you use '엄격성' to discuss abstract philosophical or legal concepts. You might analyze the '도덕적 엄격성' (moral rigor) of a certain ideology or the '학문적 엄격성' (academic rigor) required for a breakthrough in science. You understand the subtle difference between '엄격성' and '엄정성'—where the latter implies a sense of justice and impartiality alongside strictness. You can use the word in complex sentence structures, such as '그의 연구는 방법론적 엄격성을 결여하고 있다는 비판을 받았다' (His research was criticized for lacking methodological rigor). You are sensitive to the register of the word and use it to add a tone of authority and precision to your speech and writing.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '엄격성'. You can use it to explore the fine line between '엄격성' (rigor) and '경직성' (rigidity/inflexibility). You can discuss how excessive '엄격성' in a system might lead to a lack of creativity or '유연성' (flexibility). You use it effortlessly in high-level debates about jurisprudence, ethics, and scientific epistemology. You might even use it metaphorically in literature to describe the '엄격성' of a winter landscape or the '엄격성' of a minimalist architectural design. You understand the Hanja roots deeply and can relate the word to historical Korean concepts of integrity and self-cultivation. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

엄격성 in 30 Seconds

엄격성 means strictness or rigor in a formal and systematic sense.
It is used for rules, logic, and professional standards.
The word is a noun formed from '엄격' (strict) and '-성' (-ness).
It is common in academic, legal, and corporate Korean contexts.

The Korean word 엄격성 (Eom-gyeok-seong) is a sophisticated noun that translates to 'strictness,' 'rigor,' or 'severity.' It is composed of three Hanja characters: 嚴 (엄 - severe), 格 (격 - rule/standard), and 性 (성 - nature/quality). Together, they describe the inherent quality of adhering to a set of rules, standards, or logical principles without deviation or compromise. Unlike the adjective form '엄격하다' (to be strict), which describes a person or a state, '엄격성' refers to the abstract concept or the degree of that strictness as an objective quality.

Academic Context: In academic writing, 엄격성 refers to the 'rigor' of a research methodology. A study with high 엄격성 ensures that variables are controlled and data is analyzed with extreme precision.
Legal and Ethical Context: In law, it refers to the 'stringency' of a regulation. When a law is applied with high 엄격성, it means there is no room for leniency or subjective interpretation.

People use this word when they want to discuss the standard of a process rather than just the personality of a person. For example, you might talk about the '엄격성' of a screening process for a high-security job. It implies a necessary level of discipline that ensures quality and safety. In Korean society, which historically values Confucian ethics, the concept of 엄격성 in self-discipline and education is often viewed as a positive attribute that leads to excellence and social order.

학술 논문은 연구 방법의 엄격성을 유지해야 합니다. (Academic papers must maintain the rigor of their research methods.)

법 집행의 엄격성이 사회 질서를 유지하는 기초가 됩니다. (The strictness of law enforcement is the foundation for maintaining social order.)

이 시험은 평가의 엄격성으로 유명합니다. (This exam is famous for the rigor of its evaluation.)

도덕적 엄격성은 지도자의 필수 덕목입니다. (Moral rigor is an essential virtue for a leader.)

데이터 검증의 엄격성이 부족하면 결과의 신뢰도가 떨어집니다. (If the rigor of data verification is lacking, the reliability of the results decreases.)

Synonym Nuance: While '철저성' (thoroughness) focuses on being complete, '엄격성' focuses on not allowing any exceptions to the rules.

Collocation: It is frequently paired with verbs like '요구하다' (to demand), '유지하다' (to maintain), and '강조하다' (to emphasize).

In summary, 엄격성 is about the standard of discipline. It is a word that moves beyond personal feelings and into the realm of professional and systematic requirements. Whether you are discussing a strict diet, a rigorous scientific experiment, or a stern legal ruling, 엄격성 provides the linguistic weight necessary to describe the gravity of those standards.

Using 엄격성 correctly requires understanding its role as an abstract noun. It is rarely the subject of an informal sentence but frequently appears in formal writing, news reports, and academic discussions. It is often combined with the particle '-의' to describe the strictness of a specific object or concept.

Noun + 의 + 엄격성: 규정의 엄격성 (Strictness of regulations), 기준의 엄격성 (Strictness of standards), 논리의 엄격성 (Rigor of logic).

In a sentence, 엄격성 can be the subject (엄격성이 필요하다) or the object (엄격성을 높이다). It is also commonly used in the form '엄격성을 기하다', which means 'to strive for or ensure strictness/rigor'. This is a highly formal expression used in administrative or professional contexts.

정부는 환경 규제의 엄격성을 강화하기로 했습니다. (The government decided to strengthen the strictness of environmental regulations.)

When talking about people, you might say '그의 생활 태도에는 엄격성이 있다' (There is a certain strictness in his lifestyle attitude). This sounds much more objective and analytical than simply saying '그는 엄격하다' (He is strict). It suggests you are observing his behavior as a measurable quality.

Furthermore, in comparative contexts, you can discuss the 'degree' of strictness using '엄격성의 정도'. For instance, '국가마다 법 적용의 엄격성의 정도가 다르다' (The degree of strictness in law application varies by country). This allows for nuanced comparisons in sociological or legal studies.

You are most likely to encounter 엄격성 in the following environments: high-level education, government briefings, corporate quality control, and serious documentaries. It is not a word you would typically use while chatting with friends over coffee, unless you are discussing a very serious topic like social justice or academic integrity.

News Media: News anchors often use it when reporting on new policies or judicial rulings. '이번 판결은 법 집행의 엄격성을 보여줍니다' (This ruling demonstrates the strictness of the law's enforcement).
University Lectures: Professors use it to describe the requirements for a thesis or the nature of a scientific theory. '수학적 엄격성' (Mathematical rigor) is a very common phrase in STEM fields.

In the workplace, a manager might use it during a performance review or a quality audit. If a product fails to meet standards, they might say, '검수 과정의 엄격성을 높여야 합니다' (We need to increase the rigor of the inspection process). This shifts the focus from blaming people to improving the system.

토론 프로그램에서 패널이: "우리는 도덕적 엄격성의 잣대를 모두에게 동일하게 적용해야 합니다." (A panelist on a debate show: "We must apply the yardstick of moral rigor equally to everyone.")

Culturally, Koreans often associate '엄격성' with the '선비' (Seonbi) spirit—the traditional scholar-official who lived by a strict moral code. Therefore, using this word can sometimes evoke a sense of traditional integrity and high-mindedness.

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing 엄격성 with 엄격함. While they both translate to 'strictness,' they are used differently. '엄격함' is more about the state or feeling of being strict, often used in personal descriptions. '엄격성' is a more technical, abstract quality often used for systems or logic.

Mistake: Using it for people's personalities in a casual way: Incorrect: 우리 아빠는 엄격성이 있어요. (My dad has strictness - sounds like he is a scientific paper). Correct: 우리 아빠는 매우 엄격해요. (My dad is very strict).

Another mistake is confusing it with 엄정성 (Eom-jeong-seong). '엄정성' adds the nuance of 'fairness' and 'justice' (正 - right/correct). Use '엄정성' when discussing the fairness of an election or a trial. Use '엄격성' when discussing the difficulty or the high standards of a rule.

Lastly, avoid overusing it. Because it is a high-register word, using it in a casual conversation about why you didn't eat a cookie ('식단의 엄격성 때문에...') can sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. Use it where the context demands a professional or serious tone.

Understanding the synonyms and related terms for 엄격성 will help you choose the most precise word for your context. Korean has several words that touch upon the idea of being strict or thorough.

철저성 (Cheol-jeo-seong): Thoroughness. This emphasizes completeness. A 'thorough' investigation (철저한 조사) covers every detail, while a 'strict' investigation (엄격한 조사) follows every rule perfectly.
단호함 (Dan-ho-ham): Decisiveness/Firmness. This is usually used for a person's attitude or speech. If a leader says 'No' and sticks to it, they are being '단호하다'.
가혹성 (Ga-hok-seong): Harshness/Cruelty. This is the negative side of strictness. If the '엄격성' becomes too much and causes suffering, it is called '가혹성'.

In academic contexts, you might also see 치밀함 (meticulousness) or 정교함 (exquisiteness/sophistication). While '엄격성' ensures that the logic is tight and follows the rules, '치밀함' ensures that the plan is detailed and has no holes.

비교: '규정의 엄격성' (rules are hard to break) vs '계획의 철저성' (plan is very detailed).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 嚴 (엄) also appears in '엄마' (mother) in some folk etymologies, but in reality, '엄마' is purely Korean. However, '엄부' (엄한 아버지 - strict father) is a common traditional term.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʌm.ɡjʌk.s͈ʌŋ/

US /ʌm.ɡjʌk.s͈ʌŋ/

The stress is slightly on the first syllable '엄', with a secondary emphasis on the tense '성'.

Rhymes With

정성 (Devotion) 공정성 (Fairness) 투명성 (Transparency) 열성 (Enthusiasm) 가능성 (Possibility) 일관성 (Consistency) 창의성 (Creativity) 안정성 (Stability)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '성' as a soft 'seong' instead of a tense 'sseong'.
Merging 'gyeok' and 'seong' without the stop sound.
Confusing it with '엄격히' (adverb).
Over-aspirating the 'k' sound.
Mispronouncing '엄' as '암'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news and books, but requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

Writing 5/5

Hard to use naturally without sounding overly formal.

Speaking 4/5

Used in debates or professional meetings, not for daily small talk.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but the context can be complex.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

엄격하다 규칙 기준 방법 유지

Learn Next

엄정하다 결여되다 기하다 준수하다 척도

Advanced

정언 명령 방법론 개연성 필연성

Grammar to Know

-성 (Suffix for abstract nouns)

중요 + 성 = 중요성 (Importance)

-의 (Possessive particle for compound nouns)

법의 엄격성 (Strictness of law)

-기 위해 (Purpose)

엄격성을 기하기 위해 (To ensure rigor)

-적 (Suffix for adjectives)

논리적 엄격성 (Logical rigor)

-을/를 요구하다 (To demand something)

엄격성을 요구하다 (To demand strictness)

Examples by Level

우리 선생님은 엄격성이 있어요.

My teacher has strictness.

Simple noun usage with '있어요'.

이 규칙은 엄격성이 필요해요.

This rule needs strictness.

Subject with '이/가' and '필요해요'.

시험의 엄격성이 무서워요.

The strictness of the exam is scary.

Noun + 의 + Noun structure.

엄격성이 중요합니다.

Strictness is important.

Formal ending '-습니다'.

그분은 엄격성을 강조해요.

He emphasizes strictness.

Object marker '-을'.

이곳은 엄격성이 없어요.

This place has no strictness.

Negative '없어요'.

엄격성이 무엇입니까?

What is strictness?

Interrogative formal.

엄격성을 배워요.

I learn strictness (discipline).

Basic verb '배워요'.

학교 규칙의 엄격성이 높아졌어요.

The strictness of school rules has increased.

Past tense '높아졌어요'.

그 회사는 엄격성으로 유명해요.

That company is famous for its strictness.

Particle '-으로' meaning 'because of/for'.

엄격성을 지키는 것은 어려워요.

Keeping strictness is difficult.

Noun clause '-는 것'.

군대에서는 엄격성이 중요해요.

In the military, strictness is important.

Location marker '-에서는'.

엄격성이 너무 심하면 안 돼요.

It's not good if strictness is too much.

Conditional '-면' and '-안 돼요'.

엄격성을 유지하고 싶어요.

I want to maintain strictness.

Desire '-고 싶어요'.

엄격성이 필요한 직업이에요.

It is a job that needs strictness.

Adjective clause '-ㄴ/은'.

엄격성을 보여주세요.

Please show the strictness (discipline).

Request '-아/어 주세요'.

법 집행의 엄격성이 사회를 안전하게 만듭니다.

The strictness of law enforcement makes society safe.

Causative structure with '만듭니다'.

우리는 평가의 엄격성을 의심했습니다.

We doubted the rigor of the evaluation.

Past tense formal.

그 논문은 엄격성이 부족하다는 평을 받았다.

The paper received a review that it lacked rigor.

Indirect quotation '-다는'.

엄격성을 기하기 위해 최선을 다합시다.

Let's do our best to ensure rigor.

Purpose '-기 위해'.

감독님의 엄격성 덕분에 우승했어요.

Thanks to the coach's strictness, we won.

Reason '-덕분에'.

엄격성을 잃지 않는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important not to lose rigor.

Negative noun clause '-지 않는 것'.

이 제도는 엄격성이 생명입니다.

Strictness is the lifeblood of this system.

Metaphorical usage.

엄격성이 요구되는 상황입니다.

It is a situation where strictness is required.

Passive form '요구되는'.

학문적 엄격성을 유지하는 것은 연구자의 기본 자세다.

Maintaining academic rigor is the basic attitude of a researcher.

Formal plain style '-다'.

그 정책은 절차적 엄격성이 결여되어 있다.

The policy lacks procedural strictness.

Complex verb '결여되어 있다'.

도덕적 엄격성의 잣대를 남에게만 들이대서는 안 된다.

One should not apply the yardstick of moral rigor only to others.

Metaphorical '잣대' (yardstick).

데이터 분석의 엄격성이 결과의 신뢰도를 결정한다.

The rigor of data analysis determines the reliability of the results.

Subject-Verb-Object formal.

정부는 비리 척결을 위해 엄격성을 강화하겠다고 발표했다.

The government announced it would strengthen strictness to eradicate corruption.

Indirect quote '-겠다고'.

엄격성과 유연성 사이의 균형이 필요합니다.

A balance between strictness and flexibility is needed.

Comparison structure 'A와 B 사이'.

이 프로젝트는 시간 관리의 엄격성이 핵심입니다.

The core of this project is the strictness of time management.

Noun focus sentence.

그의 비판은 논리적 엄격성이 돋보였다.

His criticism was notable for its logical rigor.

Verb '돋보이다' (to stand out).

형법의 엄격성은 죄형법정주의의 원칙에 근거한다.

The strictness of criminal law is based on the principle of 'nullum crimen sine lege'.

Legal terminology.

과학적 엄격성이 담보되지 않은 주장은 가설에 불과하다.

Claims without guaranteed scientific rigor are nothing more than hypotheses.

Advanced structure '-에 불과하다'.

조직의 기강을 바로잡기 위해 운영의 엄격성을 재확립해야 한다.

To rectify organizational discipline, the rigor of operations must be re-established.

Formal '재확립해야 한다'.

그 작가는 문체적 엄격성을 통해 주제 의식을 드러낸다.

The writer reveals their thematic consciousness through stylistic rigor.

Literary analysis.

자기 검열의 엄격성이 창작의 자유를 위축시킬 수도 있다.

The strictness of self-censorship may wither the freedom of creation.

Potential '-ㄹ 수도 있다'.

엄격성을 견지하면서도 포용력을 잃지 않는 리더십이 요구된다.

Leadership that maintains rigor while not losing inclusiveness is required.

Concessive '-면서도'.

역사학적 엄격성 없이 과거를 해석하는 것은 위험하다.

Interpreting the past without historical rigor is dangerous.

Conditional '-없이'.

검증의 엄격성을 통과한 데이터만이 가치를 지닌다.

Only data that has passed the rigor of verification holds value.

Exclusive particle '-만이'.

칸트 철학에서 도덕 법칙의 엄격성은 정언 명령의 절대성에서 기인한다.

In Kantian philosophy, the rigor of moral law stems from the absoluteness of the categorical imperative.

Philosophical terminology.

수학적 엄격성은 직관적 오류를 배제하고 진리에 도달하는 수단이다.

Mathematical rigor is a means to exclude intuitive errors and reach truth.

Epistemological context.

현대 건축의 미학은 구조적 엄격성과 공간적 자유의 조화에 있다.

The aesthetics of modern architecture lie in the harmony of structural rigor and spatial freedom.

Aesthetic theory.

관료주의적 엄격성이 지나치면 행정의 효율성이 저해될 우려가 있다.

If bureaucratic strictness is excessive, there is a risk that administrative efficiency will be hindered.

Risk expression '-을 우려가 있다'.

언어의 엄격성을 고수하는 것은 문명의 정체성을 지키는 일이다.

Adhering to the strictness (purity) of language is a matter of preserving a civilization's identity.

Sociolinguistic context.

사법적 엄격성이 결여된 사회는 필연적으로 부패의 길로 들어선다.

A society lacking judicial rigor inevitably enters the path of corruption.

Political science context.

자기 수행의 엄격성을 통해 깨달음에 이르는 과정은 고통스럽다.

The process of reaching enlightenment through the rigor of self-discipline is painful.

Spiritual context.

이론의 엄격성은 반증 가능성을 열어두는 데서 시작된다.

The rigor of a theory begins with leaving open the possibility of falsification.

Scientific philosophy.

Synonyms

철저함 정밀성 단호함

Antonyms

관대함 느슨함 유연함

Common Collocations

엄격성을 기하다

엄격성을 유지하다

엄격성을 요구하다

엄격성을 강화하다

엄격성을 잃다

논리적 엄격성

학문적 엄격성

도덕적 엄격성

절차적 엄격성

엄격성의 잣대

Common Phrases

엄격성을 강조하다

— To stress the importance of being strict or rigorous.

부모님은 항상 생활의 엄격성을 강조하셨다.

엄격성을 높이다

— To increase the level of strictness or rigor.

제품 검수의 엄격성을 높여 불량률을 줄였다.

엄격성을 담보하다

— To guarantee or ensure rigor.

이 시스템은 데이터의 엄격성을 담보한다.

엄격성을 갖추다

— To possess or be equipped with rigor.

그의 논문은 과학적 엄격성을 잘 갖추고 있다.

엄격성을 시험하다

— To test how strict or rigorous something is.

이번 사건은 법의 엄격성을 시험하는 계기가 되었다.

엄격성을 완화하다

— To loosen or relax strictness.

경제 활성화를 위해 규제의 엄격성을 완화했다.

엄격성을 재고하다

— To reconsider the level of strictness.

우리는 현재 규칙의 엄격성을 재고할 필요가 있다.

엄격성을 결여하다

— To lack rigor or strictness.

그의 주장은 객관적 엄격성을 결여하고 있다.

엄격성을 준수하다

— To follow or adhere to strict standards.

실험실에서는 모든 엄격성을 준수해야 한다.

엄격성을 바탕으로

— Based on strictness or rigor.

엄격성을 바탕으로 한 훈련이 성과를 냈다.

Often Confused With

엄격성 vs 엄격함

엄격함 is the state of being strict (often personal), while 엄격성 is the abstract quality or rigor (often systematic).

엄격성 vs 엄정성

엄정성 adds the element of 'fairness' (正) to strictness, used mostly in law and elections.

엄격성 vs 철저성

철저성 is about 'thoroughness' (completeness), whereas 엄격성 is about 'strictness' (adherence to rules).

Idioms & Expressions

"엄격성의 잣대를 대다"

— To apply a standard of strictness to judge something.

모든 행동에 엄격성의 잣대를 대면 숨이 막힌다.

Neutral

"바늘 구멍 같은 엄격성"

— Extreme strictness that allows nothing to pass through easily.

그 시험의 엄격성은 바늘 구멍 같다.

Metaphorical

"칼날 같은 엄격성"

— Sharp, precise, and unforgiving strictness.

그의 법 집행은 칼날 같은 엄격성으로 유명하다.

Metaphorical

"서리발 같은 엄격성"

— Strictness as cold and sharp as frost (usually for authority).

할아버지의 엄격성은 서리발 같았다.

Literary

"철옹성 같은 엄격성"

— Strictness that is like an impregnable fortress.

그 회사의 보안은 철옹성 같은 엄격성을 자랑한다.

Metaphorical

"빈틈없는 엄격성"

— Strictness without any gaps or flaws.

그의 논리는 빈틈없는 엄격성을 보여준다.

Neutral

"뼈를 깎는 엄격성"

— Strictness so intense it feels like carving bone (self-discipline).

그는 뼈를 깎는 엄격성으로 자신을 채찍질했다.

Literary

"추풍낙엽 같은 엄격성"

— Strictness that sweeps away everything like autumn leaves (harsh enforcement).

개혁의 엄격성이 추풍낙엽처럼 비리를 쓸어냈다.

Literary

"한 치의 오차도 없는 엄격성"

— Strictness that allows for not even a tiny error.

수학적 엄격성은 한 치의 오차도 허용하지 않는다.

Academic

"금석과 같은 엄격성"

— Strictness as firm and unchanging as metal and stone.

그는 금석과 같은 엄격성으로 원칙을 지켰다.

Archaic

Easily Confused

엄격성 vs 정확성

Both involve high standards.

정확성 is about being 'correct' (accuracy), while 엄격성 is about being 'strict' (rigor).

시계의 정확성 vs 법의 엄격성.

엄격성 vs 가혹성

Both involve severity.

가혹성 is negative and means 'cruelty' or 'harshness,' while 엄격성 is usually neutral or positive rigor.

처벌의 가혹성 vs 평가의 엄격성.

엄격성 vs 경직성

Both involve not changing.

경직성 is the negative quality of being 'inflexible' or 'stiff,' while 엄격성 is the positive quality of being 'rigorous'.

조직의 경직성 vs 논리의 엄격성.

엄격성 vs 일관성

Both are needed for rules.

일관성 is 'consistency' (doing the same thing over time), while 엄격성 is 'strictness' (doing it correctly according to rules).

정책의 일관성 vs 기준의 엄격성.

엄격성 vs 치밀함

Both involve detail.

치밀함 is 'meticulousness' or 'tightness' of a plan, while 엄격성 is the 'rigor' of the standards applied.

계획의 치밀함 vs 검증의 엄격성.

Sentence Patterns

N의 엄격성이 요구되다

전문직에게는 높은 도덕적 엄격성이 요구된다.

N의 엄격성을 기하다

우리는 실험의 엄격성을 기하기 위해 변수를 통제했다.

엄격성을 결여하고 있다

그의 주장은 학문적 엄격성을 결여하고 있다.

엄격성과 유연성의 조화

성공적인 경영은 엄격성과 유연성의 조화에 달려 있다.

엄격성을 강화하다

정부는 입시 제도의 엄격성을 강화했다.

엄격성을 유지하다

품질 관리의 엄격성을 유지하는 것이 기업의 생존 전략이다.

엄격성의 잣대를 대다

타인에게만 엄격성의 잣대를 대는 것은 위선이다.

엄격성이 부족하다

이 계획은 아직 엄격성이 부족해 보인다.

Word Family

Nouns

엄격 (Strictness)

엄격성 (Rigor)

엄격주의 (Rigorism)

엄격파 (Strict faction)

Verbs

엄격하다 (To be strict)

엄격히 하다 (To make strict)

Adjectives

엄격한 (Strict)

엄격성 있는 (Rigorous)

엄정 (Strict and fair)

엄중 (Serious/Grave)

엄수 (Strict observance)

가혹 (Harsh)

철저 (Thorough)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional/academic writing; rare in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

엄격성을 해요 → 엄격하게 해요 / 엄격성을 유지해요
You can't 'do' strictness; you 'maintain' it or 'act' strictly.
엄격성 선생님 → 엄격한 선생님
Use the adjective form '엄격한' to modify a noun like 'teacher'.
엄격성이 너무 아파요 → 처벌이 너무 가혹해요
Strictness itself isn't 'painful'; the 'harshness' (가혹함) of a punishment is.
논리의 엄격함 → 논리의 엄격성
While not 'wrong', '엄격성' is much more natural for abstract concepts like logic.
엄격성 때문에 밥을 안 먹어요 → 식단 관리 때문에 밥을 안 먹어요
Using '엄격성' here is too formal and sounds unnatural in a casual setting.

Tips

Use in Essays

When writing a TOPIK essay, using '엄격성' to discuss social rules or education will help you get a higher score for vocabulary.

Rigor vs. Harshness

Remember that '엄격성' is generally a neutral or positive 'rigor'. If you want to say someone is being meanly strict, use '가혹하다'.

Pair with Logic

'논리적 엄격성' is a set phrase. Use it whenever you want to say an argument is very strong and follows all the rules of logic.

Formal Meetings

In a business meeting, say '절차의 엄격성을 높입시다' to sound like a professional leader who cares about quality.

Noun Form

Since it ends in '-성', it's always a noun. Don't try to use it as an adjective directly.

News Keywords

When you hear '엄격성' on the news, the reporter is likely talking about a new law, a court ruling, or a government investigation.

The 'Um' Sound

Think of the 'Um' in 'Umpire'. An umpire must have '엄격성' to call the game fairly.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use it for small things like a strict diet unless you're writing a formal health report.

Confucian Roots

Understanding that Korean culture values 'order' will help you see why '엄격성' is often seen as a virtue.

Related Suffixes

Learn other '-성' words like '정확성', '일관성', and '투명성' together to build a strong formal vocabulary.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Umbrella' (엄) that is 'Locked' (격) in a 'Stone' (성). It is fixed and cannot be moved—that is 'Strictness'.

Visual Association

Imagine a judge hitting a gavel down on a thick book of rules that is glowing with a purple light (violet-600).

Word Web

Law Rules Science Logic Discipline Standards Rigor Precision

Challenge

Try to write a sentence using '엄격성' and '유연성' in the same sentence to describe a good leader.

Word Origin

Derived from Hanja (Sino-Korean characters). 嚴 (엄) means 'severe' or 'stern'. 格 (격) means 'standard', 'frame', or 'rule'. 性 (성) is a suffix meaning 'nature' or 'quality'.

Original meaning: The nature of having severe standards.

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too robotic or cold when using this word in personal contexts.

In English, 'rigor' is often positive in academics, while 'strictness' can be neutral or negative. '엄격성' covers both, but leans towards a professional 'rigor'.

Confucian Analects (emphasis on ritual strictness) Sky Castle (K-drama showing educational rigor) Korean Military Culture (emphasis on discipline)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Academic Research

연구의 엄격성
방법론적 엄격성
데이터의 엄격성
엄격성을 기하다

Legal/Government

법 집행의 엄격성
규제의 엄격성
절차적 엄격성
엄격성을 강화하다

Education

평가의 엄격성
학사 관리의 엄격성
시험의 엄격성
엄격성이 요구되다

Corporate Quality

검수의 엄격성
품질 관리의 엄격성
공정의 엄격성
엄격성을 높이다

Self-Improvement

자기 관리의 엄격성
도덕적 엄격성
생활의 엄격성
엄격성을 유지하다

Conversation Starters

"한국 교육의 엄격성에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"회사에서 업무의 엄격성을 유지하는 가장 좋은 방법은 무엇일까요?"

"법의 엄격성이 범죄율을 낮추는 데 정말 도움이 될까요?"

"과학 연구에서 엄격성이 부족할 때 어떤 문제가 생길 수 있나요?"

"자신에 대한 엄격성이 너무 높아서 힘들었던 적이 있나요?"

Journal Prompts

내가 생각하는 '도덕적 엄격성'의 정의를 써보자.

우리 사회에서 엄격성이 가장 필요한 분야는 어디일까?

엄격성과 유연성 중 리더에게 더 중요한 덕목은 무엇인지 논해보자.

나의 일상 생활에서 엄격성을 기하고 싶은 부분은 무엇인가?

과거에 비해 현대 사회의 엄격성이 줄어들었다고 생각하는가?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is often positive. In science and law, '엄격성' is essential for truth and justice. It ensures that things are done correctly and fairly according to the rules.

It's grammatically correct but sounds very weird. It's like saying 'My mother possesses the quality of strictness' in English. Just say '우리 엄마는 엄격해' (My mom is strict).

'엄격함' is more about the feeling or state of being strict. '엄격성' is a more technical term for the concept of rigor. Use '엄격성' in papers and '엄격함' in stories.

The most natural translation is '학문적 엄격성' or '학술적 엄격성'.

It is very common in news, books, and university settings, but you won't hear it much at a grocery store or a party.

Common verbs include '기하다' (to ensure), '유지하다' (to maintain), '요구하다' (to demand), and '강화하다' (to strengthen).

Yes, for example, '심판 판정의 엄격성' (the strictness of the referee's calls).

Yes, 嚴 (severe), 格 (standard), and 性 (quality).

Depending on the context, '관대함' (leniency) or '유연성' (flexibility).

Yes, it is a standard Sino-Korean term used in both North and South Korea, often in political and military contexts.