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A2 noun #2,500 most common 8 min read

문장

munjang
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 문장 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 문장 in your Level:
At the A1 level, a '문장' (sentence) is the simplest way to share information. It usually consists of a subject and a verb or adjective. For example, 'I study' or 'The weather is good.' At this stage, you learn that every Korean sentence must end with a specific ending like '-요' to be polite. You start to see that even a very short word like '가요' (I'm going) can be a whole sentence by itself. You learn the basic order: who (subject) + what (object) + does (verb). This is the foundation of everything you will learn later. You also learn that in Korean, you don't always have to say 'I' or 'You' if it's clear who you are talking about, which makes Korean sentences feel different from English ones. A1 learners focus on making '평서문' (statements) and '의문문' (questions).
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At the A2 level, you begin to make your '문장' (sentences) longer and more interesting. Instead of just saying 'I eat bread,' you start to say 'I eat bread at home with my friend.' You learn to use connecting words like 'and' (그리고), 'but' (하지만), and 'so' (그래서) to link two sentences together. This is where you move from simple sentences to '복합 문장' (compound sentences). You also start to use different sentence endings to show different meanings, like '-고 싶어요' (want to) or '-ㄹ 거예요' (will). You learn that the word '문장' itself is used by your teacher when they give you homework. You are expected to understand the basic components of a sentence, like the subject (주어) and the object (목적어), and use the correct particles like -이/가 and -을/를.
At the B1 level, a '문장' becomes a tool for expressing more complex thoughts, feelings, and reasons. You start using '내포문' (embedded sentences), where one sentence lives inside another. For example, 'I know that he is a teacher.' You learn how to turn a whole sentence into a description for a noun, like 'The book that I read yesterday.' This makes your sentences much more sophisticated. You also begin to focus on the 'flow' between sentences, ensuring that your writing isn't just a list of facts but a cohesive story. You use more diverse connectors and learn to vary your sentence endings to keep the reader interested. At this level, you might start analyzing '문장 성분' (sentence components) more formally to understand why certain grammar rules apply.
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At the B2 level, you focus on the '문장력' (sentence power) and the nuance of your writing. You learn how to change the order of words in a sentence to emphasize different parts, and you understand how different sentence structures can change the tone from formal to informal or from objective to subjective. You study '피동문' (passive sentences) and '사동문' (causative sentences), which allow you to describe actions from different perspectives. You are expected to write long, well-structured paragraphs where each '문장' logically follows the previous one. You also start to recognize '명문장' (famous or well-written sentences) in literature and news, and you try to emulate that level of clarity and sophistication in your own output. Your understanding of '문장' moves beyond just grammar to include style and impact.
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At the C1 level, you treat the '문장' as an art form and a precise instrument for professional communication. You can handle very long, complex sentences found in academic papers, legal documents, or high-level literature without getting lost. You understand the subtle differences in meaning that come from choosing one sentence structure over another. You are proficient in using '수사법' (rhetorical devices) within your sentences to persuade or inspire. You also learn about the history of Korean sentence structures and how they have evolved. At this level, you can critique the '문장' of others, identifying awkward phrasing or logical gaps. You are not just making sentences; you are crafting them to fit specific professional and social contexts perfectly, using a wide range of vocabulary and advanced grammatical constructions.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of the '문장' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You have a deep, intuitive grasp of '문장론' (syntax) and can play with the language creatively. You can understand and produce sentences that involve deep irony, cultural allusions, and complex metaphors. You are comfortable with archaic sentence structures found in historical texts and can also navigate the most modern, fragmented '문장' used in digital media. For you, a '문장' is not just a grammatical unit, but a reflection of culture, philosophy, and individual identity. You can write in various '문체' (literary styles) and can adapt your sentence construction to suit any possible medium or audience, from a poetic verse to a technical manual, with absolute precision and elegance.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

문장 in 30 Seconds

  • 문장 (Munjang) means 'sentence' in Korean and is the fundamental unit used to express a complete thought or idea in both speech and writing.
  • In Korean grammar, every 문장 must end with a predicate (verb or adjective) and a sentence-closing ending that indicates the level of politeness and tense.
  • While English sentences usually require a subject, Korean sentences often omit the subject or object if the context makes the meaning clear to the listener.
  • The word is commonly used in classrooms, textbooks, and literary analysis to refer to the structure, style, or correctness of a piece of writing.

The Korean word 문장 (munjang) refers to a 'sentence' in a linguistic and grammatical context. At its core, a 문장 is a complete unit of thought that consists of at least a predicate, though in Korean, the subject is often omitted if it is understood from the context. Understanding 문장 is fundamental because it represents the leap from learning isolated vocabulary to communicating complex ideas. In the hierarchy of linguistics, it sits above the word (단어) and the phrase (구), but below the paragraph (단락) and the discourse (담화). When we speak of 문장, we are discussing the structural integrity of how Korean thoughts are organized, typically following the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, which differs significantly from the English SVO structure.

A complete sentence 문장 is the building block of all Korean literature and daily conversation.

— Linguistic Definition
Grammatical Function
The primary role of a 문장 is to convey a finished thought, ending with a sentence-closing ending (종결 어미) like -다, -요, or -습니까.
Structural Components
A standard 문장 includes components like the subject (주어), predicate (서술어), and often an object (목적어) or complement (보어).

Historically, the term 문장 (文章) has roots in Hanja, where '문' (文) signifies writing or culture, and '장' (章) signifies a chapter or a badge of distinction. This suggests that a 문장 is not just a random string of words, but a structured, 'decorated' unit of meaning. In modern usage, it is strictly used for the grammatical 'sentence'. Whether you are writing a simple diary entry or a complex legal document, the quality of your 문장 determines how clearly your message is received. For learners, mastering the 문장 means moving beyond simple naming of objects to expressing actions, feelings, and relationships between concepts. It is the bridge between basic survival Korean and true fluency.

Without a proper 문장, words are just scattered beads without a string.

Semantic Range
While usually meaning 'sentence', in older or more literary contexts, 문장 can also refer to 'writing style' or 'composition' as a whole.

Using the word 문장 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun that describes a linguistic structure. It is most commonly used in educational, literary, and analytical settings. For instance, when you are studying Korean, your teacher might ask you to 'read the sentence' (문장을 읽으세요) or 'translate the sentence' (문장을 번역하세요). In these cases, 문장 acts as the direct object of the action. Because it is a noun, it takes standard Korean particles: 문장이 (subject), 문장을 (object), 문장은 (topic), and 문장으로 (instrumental/method).

이 문장은 너무 길어요. (This sentence is too long.)

One of the most important aspects of using 문장 is understanding the types of sentences it can describe. In Korean grammar, sentences are categorized into four main types: declarative (평서문), interrogative (의문문), imperative (명령문), and propositive (청유문). When discussing these, you are essentially discussing different forms of the 문장. Furthermore, you can describe the quality of a sentence using adjectives. A 'good sentence' is '좋은 문장', a 'difficult sentence' is '어려운 문장', and a 'correct sentence' is '옳은 문장' or '맞는 문장'.

Common Verb Pairings
문장을 구성하다 (to compose a sentence), 문장을 완성하다 (to complete a sentence), 문장을 다듬다 (to polish/refine a sentence).

In a digital or professional context, you might encounter '문장 성분' (sentence components), which refers to the grammatical parts like the subject or object. If you are using a translation app, it might say '문장 단위로 번역' (translate by sentence unit). This highlights that 문장 is the standard unit for processing meaning. For advanced learners, '문장력' (writing ability/sentence power) is a common term used to describe someone's skill in crafting beautiful or persuasive prose. Improving your 문장력 involves not just knowing more words, but knowing how to connect them into a cohesive 문장.

You will encounter the word 문장 in a variety of environments, ranging from the classroom to the courtroom. In a Korean language classroom, it is perhaps one of the most frequently used nouns. Teachers will constantly refer to '예문' (example sentences) to illustrate how a new grammar point works. You might hear, '다음 문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾으세요' (Find the mistake in the following sentence). This environment emphasizes the structural and rule-based nature of the 문장.

교과서에 있는 문장을 외우세요. (Memorize the sentences in the textbook.)

In the world of literature and journalism, 문장 is used to discuss a writer's style. Critics might praise a novelist by saying, '문장이 간결하고 힘이 있다' (The sentences are concise and powerful). Here, 문장 refers to the aesthetic and rhythmic quality of the writing. In news reports, you might hear about a 'problematic sentence' in a government statement or a legal document, where the specific wording (문장 표현) is under scrutiny. This shows that 문장 is the vehicle for official and precise communication.

Media & Technology
AI translation tools and grammar checkers (like Pusan National University's spell checker) often use the term '문장 교정' (sentence correction).

In daily life, while people might use '말' (what someone said) more often, 문장 appears when people are being specific about text. For example, if you are reading a text message and don't understand it, you might say, '이 문장이 무슨 뜻이야?' (What does this sentence mean?). It is also common in song lyrics or poetry discussions, where a single '명문장' (famous/great sentence) can capture the heart of the audience. Even in legal contexts, the '문언' (the literal text/sentence of the law) is a critical concept derived from the idea of the 문장.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 문장 with related but distinct terms like 단어 (word), 말 (speech/language), or 글 (writing/text). A common error is saying '이 말은 너무 길어요' when you specifically mean 'This sentence (grammatical unit) is too long.' While '말' can mean 'what you said,' '문장' is the precise term for the linguistic structure. Another mistake is using '문장' to refer to a single word. Remember: a 문장 must contain a predicate (verb or adjective).

Incorrect: 이 단어를 끝내세요. (Finish this word - when meaning sentence.)
Correct: 이 문장을 끝내세요. (Finish this sentence.)

Another subtle mistake involves the use of particles within a 문장. Because Korean is a pro-drop language (where the subject is often omitted), learners often feel a 문장 is 'incomplete' if it doesn't have a subject. However, in Korean, a single verb like '먹었어' (I ate) can be a perfectly valid 문장. The mistake here is over-complicating the 문장 by adding unnecessary pronouns like '나는' (I) in every single sentence, which makes the 문장 sound unnatural and repetitive to native speakers.

Confusion with '문구'
Learners often use '문장' for short phrases or slogans. For a catchy phrase or a snippet of text, '문구' (mungu) is often more appropriate.

Lastly, learners often struggle with '문장 종결' (sentence termination). In English, you just put a period. In Korean, the ending of the 문장 must match the social relationship between the speaker and the listener. Using an informal ending (반말) in a 문장 meant for a teacher is a major pragmatic mistake. Even if the internal structure of the 문장 is perfect, the wrong ending invalidates its appropriateness in context. Therefore, always consider the 'ending' as the most critical part of your Korean 문장.

To truly master 문장, you must understand how it differs from its synonyms and related linguistic terms. The most common point of comparison is between 문장 and 구 (Phrase). A '구' is a group of words that functions as a single unit but lacks a predicate. For example, '예쁜 꽃' (pretty flower) is a '구', but '꽃이 예쁘다' (The flower is pretty) is a '문장'. Understanding this distinction is vital for analyzing complex sentence structures.

문장 (Sentence) vs. 구 (Phrase) vs. 절 (Clause)

Another important distinction is 절 (Clause). A '절' contains a subject and a predicate but is part of a larger sentence. For instance, in the sentence '내가 먹은 사과가 맛있다' (The apple I ate is delicious), '내가 먹은' is a '절' (specifically an adnominal clause) that lives inside the larger '문장'. Learners often confuse these when trying to build complex sentences. Then there is 문구 (Phrase/Expression), which refers to a short, often famous or catchy, piece of writing. While a '문구' can be a '문장', it is usually shorter and used for specific purposes like advertising or quotes.

Comparison Table
  • 문장 (Munjang): A complete grammatical unit with a predicate.
  • 글 (Geul): Any written text, from a single letter to a whole book.
  • 단락 (Danrak): A paragraph consisting of multiple sentences.
  • 어휘 (Eohwi): Vocabulary; the individual words used to build sentences.

Finally, we have 지문 (Passage/Text). In exams like the TOPIK, '지문' refers to the entire block of text you have to read, which is composed of many '문장'. If a question asks about a specific '문장', you are looking for one period-to-period unit. If it asks about the '지문', you are looking at the whole context. Distinguishing these terms helps you navigate academic and formal Korean more effectively. By knowing exactly what a '문장' is compared to a '구' or a '절', you gain the tools to deconstruct and reconstruct the Korean language with precision.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Subject-Predicate Agreement (주술 호응)

Sentence-Closing Endings (종결 어미)

Word Order (어순)

Particle Usage (조사 사용)

Connecting Endings (연결 어미)

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Examples by Level

1

이 문장을 읽으세요.

Read this sentence.

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -을 (object particle) + 읽으세요 (please read).

2

쉬운 문장입니다.

It is an easy sentence.

쉬운 (easy - adjective form) + 문장 (sentence) + -입니다 (is - formal).

3

문장이 짧아요.

The sentence is short.

문장 (sentence) + -이 (subject particle) + 짧아요 (is short).

4

나는 문장을 써요.

I write a sentence.

나 (I) + -는 (topic particle) + 문장 (sentence) + -을 (object particle) + 써요 (write).

5

이것은 좋은 문장이에요.

This is a good sentence.

이것 (this thing) + -은 (topic particle) + 좋은 (good) + 문장 (sentence) + -이에요 (is).

6

문장을 만드세요.

Make a sentence.

문장 (sentence) + -을 (object particle) + 만드세요 (please make).

7

그 문장은 뭐예요?

What is that sentence?

그 (that) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic particle) + 뭐예요 (what is it?).

8

문장이 많아요.

There are many sentences.

문장 (sentence) + -이 (subject particle) + 많아요 (are many).

1

두 개의 문장을 연결하세요.

Connect the two sentences.

두 개 (two items) + -의 (possessive) + 문장 (sentence) + -을 (object) + 연결하세요 (connect).

2

문장 끝에 점을 찍으세요.

Put a period at the end of the sentence.

문장 (sentence) + 끝 (end) + -에 (at) + 점 (dot/period) + -을 (object) + 찍으세요 (dot/place).

3

이 문장의 뜻을 알아요?

Do you know the meaning of this sentence?

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 뜻 (meaning) + -을 (object) + 알아요 (know?).

4

교과서에서 문장을 찾았어요.

I found the sentence in the textbook.

교과서 (textbook) + -에서 (in) + 문장 (sentence) + -을 (object) + 찾았어요 (found).

5

더 긴 문장을 써 보세요.

Try writing a longer sentence.

더 (more) + 긴 (long) + 문장 (sentence) + -을 (object) + 써 보세요 (try writing).

6

문장이 조금 어려워요.

The sentence is a bit difficult.

문장 (sentence) + -이 (subject) + 조금 (a bit) + 어려워요 (is difficult).

7

그 문장을 다시 말해 주세요.

Please say that sentence again.

그 (that) + 문장 (sentence) + -을 (object) + 다시 (again) + 말해 주세요 (please say).

8

이 문장은 틀렸어요.

This sentence is wrong.

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 틀렸어요 (is wrong/incorrect).

1

문장의 구조를 분석해 봅시다.

Let's analyze the structure of the sentence.

문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 구조 (structure) + -를 (object) + 분석해 봅시다 (let's try to analyze).

2

이 문장은 주어가 생략되었습니다.

The subject is omitted in this sentence.

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 주어 (subject) + -가 (subject particle) + 생략되었습니다 (has been omitted).

3

문장과 문장 사이의 흐름이 자연스러워요.

The flow between the sentences is natural.

문장 (sentence) + -과 (and) + 문장 (sentence) + 사이 (between) + -의 (possessive) + 흐름 (flow) + -이 (subject) + 자연스러워요 (is natural).

4

복잡한 문장을 간단하게 고치세요.

Change the complex sentence into a simple one.

복잡한 (complex) + 문장 (sentence) + -을 (object) + 간단하게 (simply) + 고치세요 (fix/change).

5

이 문장은 어떤 의미를 담고 있나요?

What meaning does this sentence contain?

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 어떤 (what kind of) + 의미 (meaning) + -를 (object) + 담고 있나요 (is it containing?).

6

문장을 완성하기 위해 단어를 넣으세요.

Insert a word to complete the sentence.

문장 (sentence) + -을 (object) + 완성하기 위해 (in order to complete) + 단어 (word) + -를 (object) + 넣으세요 (insert).

7

감동적인 문장이 아주 많네요.

There are so many touching sentences.

감동적인 (touching/moving) + 문장 (sentence) + -이 (subject) + 아주 (very) + 많네요 (are many - expressive).

8

문장의 시제를 과거로 바꾸세요.

Change the tense of the sentence to the past.

문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 시제 (tense) + -를 (object) + 과거 (past) + -로 (to) + 바꾸세요 (change).

1

작가의 문체는 매우 간결한 문장이 특징입니다.

The author's style is characterized by very concise sentences.

작가 (author) + -의 (possessive) + 문체 (writing style) + -는 (topic) + 매우 (very) + 간결한 (concise) + 문장 (sentence) + -이 (subject) + 특징입니다 (is a characteristic).

2

이 문장은 중의적으로 해석될 수 있습니다.

This sentence can be interpreted in multiple ways.

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 중의적으로 (ambiguously/doubly) + 해석될 수 있습니다 (can be interpreted).

3

문장의 호응이 맞지 않아 어색합니다.

The sentence is awkward because the components don't correspond correctly.

문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 호응 (correspondence/agreement) + -이 (subject) + 맞지 않아 (not matching, so) + 어색합니다 (is awkward).

4

강조하고 싶은 부분을 문장 맨 앞으로 보내세요.

Move the part you want to emphasize to the very front of the sentence.

강조하고 싶은 (want to emphasize) + 부분 (part) + -을 (object) + 문장 (sentence) + 맨 앞 (very front) + -으로 (to) + 보내세요 (send/move).

5

그의 문장력은 전문가들 사이에서도 정평이 나 있다.

His sentence-writing ability is well-known even among experts.

그 (he) + -의 (possessive) + 문장력 (writing ability) + -은 (topic) + 전문가들 (experts) + 사이에서도 (even among) + 정평이 나 있다 (is well-reputed).

6

이 문장은 문법적으로는 맞지만 문맥상 어색해요.

This sentence is grammatically correct but awkward in context.

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 문법적으로 (grammatically) + -는 (contrast) + 맞지만 (correct, but) + 문맥상 (in context) + 어색해요 (is awkward).

7

문장을 다듬어서 더 세련되게 만드세요.

Polish the sentence to make it more sophisticated.

문장 (sentence) + -을 (object) + 다듬어서 (polish, and then) + 더 (more) + 세련되게 (sophisticatedly) + 만드세요 (make).

8

비유적인 표현이 문장의 맛을 살려줍니다.

Metaphorical expressions bring out the 'flavor' of the sentence.

비유적인 (metaphorical) + 표현 (expression) + -이 (subject) + 문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 맛 (taste/flavor) + -을 (object) + 살려줍니다 (brings to life/saves).

1

해당 문장은 법적 효력을 갖는 중요한 조항입니다.

The sentence in question is an important clause with legal force.

해당 (relevant/corresponding) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 법적 (legal) + 효력 (force/effect) + -을 (object) + 갖는 (having) + 중요한 (important) + 조항 (clause) + -입니다 (is).

2

문장의 행간을 읽는 능력이 필요합니다.

The ability to read between the lines of the sentences is necessary.

문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 행간 (between the lines) + -을 (object) + 읽는 (reading) + 능력 (ability) + -이 (subject) + 필요합니다 (is needed).

3

이 문장은 고전 문학의 정수를 보여줍니다.

This sentence shows the essence of classical literature.

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 고전 (classical) + 문학 (literature) + -의 (possessive) + 정수 (essence) + -를 (object) + 보여줍니다 (shows).

4

번역가는 원문의 문장 구조를 최대한 유지하려 노력했다.

The translator tried to maintain the sentence structure of the original text as much as possible.

번역가 (translator) + -는 (topic) + 원문 (original text) + -의 (possessive) + 문장 (sentence) + 구조 (structure) + -를 (object) + 최대한 (as much as possible) + 유지하려 (to maintain) + 노력했다 (tried/labored).

5

논문에서 문장의 논리적 비약을 피해야 합니다.

In a thesis, you must avoid logical leaps in your sentences.

논문 (thesis/paper) + -에서 (in) + 문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 논리적 (logical) + 비약 (leap) + -을 (object) + 피해야 합니다 (must avoid).

6

그의 문장은 화려하지만 실속이 없다.

His sentences are flowery but lack substance.

그 (he) + -의 (possessive) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 화려하지만 (splendid/flowery, but) + 실속 (substance) + -이 (subject) + 없다 (lacks/none).

7

문장의 종결 어미 하나로 분위기가 완전히 바뀐다.

The atmosphere changes completely with just one sentence-closing ending.

문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 종결 어미 (closing ending) + 하나 (one) + -로 (with/by) + 분위기 (atmosphere) + -가 (subject) + 완전히 (completely) + 바뀐다 (changes).

8

이 문장은 주술 호응이 이루어지지 않아 비문입니다.

This sentence is ungrammatical because the subject and predicate do not agree.

이 (this) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 주술 호응 (subject-predicate agreement) + -이 (subject) + 이루어지지 않아 (not achieved, so) + 비문 (ungrammatical sentence) + -입니다 (is).

1

문장은 사유의 한계를 규정짓는 틀이 되기도 한다.

A sentence can also be a frame that defines the limits of thought.

문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 사유 (thought/reasoning) + -의 (possessive) + 한계 (limit) + -를 (object) + 규정짓는 (defining) + 틀 (frame) + -이 (complement) + 되기도 한다 (also becomes).

2

포스트모더니즘 문학에서는 문장의 해체를 시도한다.

Postmodern literature attempts the deconstruction of the sentence.

포스트모더니즘 (postmodernism) + 문학 (literature) + -에서는 (in) + 문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 해체 (deconstruction) + -를 (object) + 시도한다 (attempts).

3

그 문장은 시대를 관통하는 통찰력을 담고 있다.

That sentence contains insight that pierces through the ages.

그 (that) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 시대 (era/age) + -를 (object) + 관통하는 (piercing/penetrating) + 통찰력 (insight) + -을 (object) + 담고 있다 (contains).

4

언어 철학에서 문장의 진리치에 대한 논의는 핵심적이다.

In the philosophy of language, the discussion of the truth value of a sentence is central.

언어 철학 (philosophy of language) + -에서 (in) + 문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 진리치 (truth value) + -에 대한 (about) + 논의 (discussion) + -는 (topic) + 핵심적이다 (is central).

5

문장의 여백이 독자의 상상력을 자극한다.

The 'white space' (unsaid parts) of the sentence stimulates the reader's imagination.

문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 여백 (blank space/margin) + -이 (subject) + 독자 (reader) + -의 (possessive) + 상상력 (imagination) + -을 (object) + 자극한다 (stimulates).

6

문장은 단순한 기호의 나열을 넘어선 유기적 결합체이다.

A sentence is an organic entity that goes beyond a simple sequence of symbols.

문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 단순한 (simple) + 기호 (symbol) + -의 (possessive) + 나열 (sequence/listing) + -을 (object) + 넘어선 (surpassing) + 유기적 (organic) + 결합체 (combined entity) + -이다 (is).

7

그의 문장은 고도의 상징성을 내포하고 있어 난해하다.

His sentences are difficult to understand because they contain high levels of symbolism.

그 (he) + -의 (possessive) + 문장 (sentence) + -은 (topic) + 고도 (high level) + -의 (possessive) + 상징성 (symbolism) + -을 (object) + 내포하고 있어 (containing, so) + 난해하다 (is abstruse/difficult).

8

문장의 호흡을 조절하여 긴장감을 조성한다.

The tension is created by controlling the 'breath' (rhythm) of the sentences.

문장 (sentence) + -의 (possessive) + 호흡 (breath/rhythm) + -을 (object) + 조절하여 (adjusting, and so) + 긴장감 (tension) + -을 (object) + 조성한다 (creates/fosters).

Common Collocations

문장을 쓰다
문장을 읽다
문장을 만들다
문장을 고치다
문장을 분석하다
문장이 길다
문장이 짧다
문장이 어렵다
좋은 문장
완벽한 문장

Common Phrases

문장을 완성하세요
다음 문장을 읽고
이 문장의 뜻
문장 성분
문장 구조
문장 종결
예시 문장
문장력 향상
명문장
비문 (잘못된 문장)

Often Confused With

문장 vs 문구 (Phrase/Slogan)

문장 vs 말 (Speech/Words)

문장 vs 글 (Writing/Text)

Idioms & Expressions

"문장이 수려하다 (The writing/sentences are elegant)"
"문장을 다듬다 (To polish one's writing)"
"문장에 뼈가 있다 (There is a hidden, sharp meaning in the sentence)"
"일필휘지로 문장을 쓰다 (To write a sentence in one breath/stroke)"
"문장의 행간을 읽다 (To read between the lines)"
"천금 같은 문장 (A sentence worth a thousand gold pieces)"
"문장이 살다 (The sentence comes to life)"
"문장을 꼬다 (To twist a sentence/make it unnecessarily complex)"
"문장이 막히다 (To have writer's block/sentences don't come out)"
"문장을 날리다 (To write sentences quickly or skillfully)"

Easily Confused

문장 vs

문장 vs

문장 vs

문장 vs

문장 vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

Ambiguity

Because subjects are often omitted, a 문장 can sometimes be ambiguous without context.

Politeness

The same 문장 can have multiple versions depending on the 'honorifics' used.

Common Mistakes
  • Using the English SVO order instead of the Korean SOV order in a 문장.
  • Forgetting to add a sentence-closing ending (종결 어미) to a 문장.
  • Using the wrong particle (e.g., using -을/를 with an adjective) in a 문장.
  • Overusing subjects like '나는' (I) which makes the 문장 sound unnatural.
  • Mixing different politeness levels within the same 문장 or paragraph.

Tips

Focus on the Predicate

Always remember that the verb or adjective comes at the very end of the Korean 문장. This is where all the important grammatical information lives.

Subject Omission

Don't feel the need to include 'I' (나는) or 'You' (너는) in every 문장. If it's clear who is acting, leaving it out makes your writing sound more like a native speaker's.

Learn in Sentences

Instead of memorizing single words, try to memorize a whole 문장. This helps you learn how the word is actually used with particles and verbs.

Check Your Endings

Before finishing a 문장, double-check that your ending (-요, -습니다, etc.) is appropriate for the person you are talking to.

Identify the Subject

When reading a long 문장, first look for the subject particle (-이/가) and the final verb to understand the core meaning.

Pause Correctly

Native speakers often pause slightly after the subject or after a connecting clause. Use these pauses to make your 문장 easier to follow.

Use Example Sentences

When you learn a new word, look for at least three '예문' (example sentences) to see the different ways it can be used.

Watch for Particles

The most common reason a 문장 is 'wrong' is the incorrect use of particles like -을/를 instead of -이/가. Pay close attention to these.

Keep it Simple

In the beginning, don't try to make very long 문장. Simple, correct sentences are much better than long, confusing ones.

Respect the Hierarchy

Remember that the structure of your 문장 is a way to show respect in Korean culture. Choosing the right level is just as important as the grammar.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Sino-Korean. 文 (mun) means 'writing/culture' and 章 (jang) means 'chapter/section/badge'. Together, they refer to a structured unit of writing.

Cultural Context

The ending of a 문장 changes based on who you are talking to, reflecting Korean social hierarchy.

Korean culture values context, which is why 문장 often omit subjects that would be mandatory in English.

Korean '문장' in literature often focuses on 'han' (sorrow) or nature, using specific rhythmic patterns.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"이 문장이 무슨 뜻인지 설명해 줄 수 있어요?"

"한국어 문장을 만드는 게 너무 어려워요."

"가장 좋아하는 책의 문장이 뭐예요?"

"이 문장에서 주어가 어디에 있어요?"

"더 자연스러운 문장으로 고쳐 줄래요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 배운 가장 인상 깊은 문장을 써 보세요.

자신을 표현하는 한 문장을 만들어 보세요.

어려운 문장을 만났을 때 어떻게 하나요?

좋은 문장이란 무엇이라고 생각하나요?

일기에서 가장 긴 문장을 찾아보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in Korean, a single verb or adjective with a closing ending (like '가요!') can function as a complete sentence if the subject is understood.

문장 is a complete grammatical unit with a predicate, while 문구 is often a shorter phrase or a specific expression used in slogans or quotes.

Avoid overusing pronouns like '나는' (I) and focus on using the correct particles and natural-sounding sentence connectors.

No, it can refer to spoken sentences as well, although '말' is more common in casual conversation about speaking.

A '비문' is a 'non-sentence,' meaning a sentence that is grammatically incorrect or doesn't make sense.

At minimum, it needs a predicate (서술어). Other components like subject and object are optional depending on the context.

It refers to one's ability to write well-structured, clear, and beautiful sentences.

The ending determines the tense, the mood (question, statement, etc.), and the level of respect shown to the listener.

In very casual speech or specific poetic contexts, yes, but standard sentences end with a verb, adjective, or the copula '이다'.

An '예문' (example sentence) is a sentence used to illustrate the meaning or usage of a word or grammar point.

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