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주관적

B2 adjective #4,000 most common 9 min read

주관적

juganjeok Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 주관적 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 주관적 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '주관적' is a bit too advanced. However, you can think of it as the 'I' in 'I like this.' At this stage, you simply learn that people have different feelings. You might not use the word '주관적' yet, but you are learning the concept. For example, when you say 'I like kimchi' (저는 김치를 좋아해요), you are expressing a subjective taste. A1 learners focus on basic verbs and nouns, but understanding that '좋아하다' (to like) is about your own feeling is the first step toward the concept of subjectivity. You will mostly use '제 생각' (my thought) instead of this word.

At the A2 level, you begin to encounter words ending in '-적'. You might see '주관적' in simple reading passages about hobbies or opinions. You learn that '주관적' means 'how I feel' versus 'how things are.' You can start using it in very simple sentences like '이것은 주관적이에요' (This is subjective). You also learn the opposite word '객관적' (objective) to help you remember. You are moving beyond just saying what you like to describing the *type* of opinion you are giving. It helps you sound more formal when talking about your preferences in a classroom setting.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '주관적' to explain why people disagree. You can use it in the form '주관적인 생각' (subjective thought) or '주관적인 기준' (subjective standard). You understand that this word is useful in discussions about movies, food, and music. You start to see it in news headlines or middle-school level textbooks. You can explain, 'People's standards for a good movie are subjective' (좋은 영화에 대한 기준은 주관적입니다). You are also learning to use the adverb '주관적으로' to describe how someone is thinking or acting.

At the B2 level (the level of this word), you are expected to use '주관적' fluently in academic and professional contexts. You can distinguish between 'subjective' and 'personal' (개인적) and use them accurately. You use this word in essays to describe qualitative data or to critique a piece of literature. You understand the nuance that being subjective isn't always bad, but in science or reporting, it should be avoided. You can handle complex sentences like 'We must exclude subjective elements to maintain fairness' (공정성을 유지하기 위해 주관적인 요소를 배제해야 합니다).

At the C1 level, you explore the philosophical and psychological depths of '주관적'. You use it to discuss 'Subjective Well-being' (주관적 안녕감) or 'Subjective Reality' (주관적 현실). you are comfortable with the Hanja roots (主, 觀, 的) and can recognize related words like '주관성' (subjectivity) or '주관주의' (subjectivism). You can use the word to discuss how a person's life history shapes their subjective interpretation of events. Your speech and writing use this word to add precision to complex arguments in sociology, philosophy, or high-level business strategy.

At the C2 level, '주관적' is a tool for nuanced rhetoric. You can use it to discuss the 'Subjective-Objective' dichotomy in epistemology. You understand how the word is used in legal precedents (e.g., subjective intent in a crime) and can debate the validity of subjective truth. You can appreciate and use the word in high-literature analysis, discussing how a poet's 'subjective transformation' (주관적 변용) creates new meanings for common objects. You are aware of the subtle cultural weight the word carries in Korean society, where individual subjectivity sometimes clashes with collective objectivity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

주관적 in 30 Seconds

주관적 (Subjective) refers to viewpoints rooted in personal feelings or individual perspectives rather than external, verifiable facts or universal truths.
It is the direct antonym of 객관적 (Objective) and is commonly used in art, criticism, psychology, and daily debates in Korea.
Grammatically, it often appears as 주관적인 (adjective) or 주관적으로 (adverb) to describe how opinions are formed or actions are taken.
While it can sometimes imply bias, it is also used neutrally to acknowledge the unique and valid nature of individual human experiences.

The Korean word 주관적 (Jugwanjeok) is a sophisticated adjective that translates to 'subjective' in English. It is derived from the Hanja characters 主 (Ju - Master/Subject), 觀 (Gwan - View/Observe), and 的 (Jeok - Target/Suffix for adjectives). Literally, it refers to a viewpoint that belongs to the 'subject' or the individual observer, rather than the 'object' or the external reality. In the context of Korean communication, this word is essential for discussing opinions, art, psychology, and academic theories where personal perspective is the primary focus.

Daily Interaction: In casual conversation, Koreans use 주관적 to acknowledge that what they are saying is just their own opinion and might not be a universal truth. It is a way to soften a statement or to defend oneself against criticism by highlighting that taste is personal.

아름다움의 기준은 매우 주관적입니다. (The standard of beauty is very subjective.)

The term often appears in contrast to 객관적 (Gaekgwanjeok), which means 'objective.' While 객관적 relies on facts, data, and external evidence that anyone can verify, 주관적 relies on internal feelings, intuitions, and personal history. For example, saying 'It is 25 degrees Celsius outside' is objective, whereas saying 'It is a bit chilly today' is subjective because 'chilly' depends on the individual's sensitivity to temperature.

Academic Context: In university lectures or research papers, 주관적 is used to describe qualitative research methods or the analysis of literature where the researcher's interpretation plays a significant role. It is not necessarily a negative term; rather, it identifies the nature of the data being discussed.

설문 조사는 응답자의 주관적 경험을 바탕으로 합니다. (The survey is based on the subjective experiences of the respondents.)

Furthermore, the word is frequently used in the world of criticism. Movie critics, food bloggers, and art historians use 주관적 to explain that their evaluations are rooted in their specific aesthetic values. If a critic gives a movie a low score, they might justify it by saying it's a 'subjective judgment' (주관적인 판단) to avoid sounding like they are stating an absolute fact.

Psychological Usage: Psychologists use this term to talk about 'Subjective Well-being' (주관적 안녕감), which refers to how an individual perceives their own happiness and life satisfaction, regardless of external wealth or status.

행복은 지극히 주관적인 감정입니다. (Happiness is an extremely subjective emotion.)

Using 주관적 correctly requires understanding its grammatical function as a determinative adjective (관형사) or a descriptive noun with the copula 이다. Because it ends in -적, it is very versatile. You can use it to modify nouns directly by adding -인, or you can turn it into an adverb by adding -으로.

Modifying a Noun: To say 'subjective opinion' or 'subjective criteria', you use 주관적인. This is the most common form in both writing and speech.

그의 평가는 너무 주관적인 요소가 많아요. (His evaluation has too many subjective elements.)

When you use it at the end of a sentence to describe a noun, you pair it with the verb '이다' (to be). In polite speech, this becomes 주관적이에요 or 주관적입니다. This structure is used when you are defining the nature of a concept or a situation.

Sentence Ending: 이 문제는 정답이 없고 사람마다 생각이 달라서 주관적입니다. (This issue has no correct answer and is subjective because everyone thinks differently.)

예술 작품을 감상하는 방식은 매우 주관적일 수밖에 없어요. (The way one appreciates a work of art is bound to be very subjective.)

To use it as an adverb, you attach -으로. This describes *how* an action is performed or how a judgment is made. For instance, 'to think subjectively' is 주관적으로 생각하다. This is useful when discussing methodology or personal bias in decision-making.

Adverbial Form: 우리는 가끔 상황을 주관적으로 해석하는 경향이 있습니다. (We sometimes have a tendency to interpret situations subjectively.)

그녀는 모든 일을 주관적으로 판단해서 오해가 생겼어요. (She judged everything subjectively, so a misunderstanding occurred.)

In debate settings, you might hear the noun form 주관 (Subjectivity/One's own view). For example, '주관이 뚜렷하다' means 'to have clear/strong personal views.' This is a related but distinct usage that focuses on the person's character rather than the nature of the information.

면접관은 지원자가 자신의 주관을 얼마나 논리적으로 설명하는지 봅니다. (The interviewer looks at how logically the candidate explains their own subjective views.)

You will encounter 주관적 in a wide variety of high-level contexts in Korea. It is not a word for toddlers, but rather one for students, professionals, and media consumers. If you watch a Korean news debate or a talk show where panel members discuss social issues, you will hear this word constantly as they navigate the line between facts and personal feelings.

In the News and Media: News anchors often use this word when reporting on surveys. They might say, 'The survey results reflect the subjective feelings of the citizens regarding the current economy.' This clarifies that the data isn't hard economic statistics but rather how people *feel* about the economy.

기자의 주관적 의견이 개입되지 않도록 주의해야 합니다. (Care must be taken so that the reporter's subjective opinion does not intervene.)

In the Korean education system, especially in high school and university, students learn to distinguish between 'subjective description' and 'objective description' in their Korean language arts classes. When analyzing poetry, teachers will ask students to find the 주관적 변용 (subjective transformation) of an object—how a poet takes a real thing (like a tree) and gives it a personal, emotional meaning.

In Art and Literature: When visiting an art gallery in Seoul, the audio guide or the brochure will likely use '주관적' to describe the artist's style. 'The artist expressed their subjective world through abstract colors' (작가는 추상적인 색채를 통해 자신의 주관적 세계를 표현했습니다).

이 소설은 주인공의 주관적인 시점으로 서술되었습니다. (This novel is narrated from the protagonist's subjective point of view.)

In workplace settings, particularly during performance reviews (인사 고과), the term comes up frequently. Employees might complain that their manager's evaluation was 'too subjective' (너무 주관적이다) and lacked clear, objective metrics. Conversely, a manager might explain that some soft skills, like leadership or teamwork, are inherently subjective to measure.

In Sports and Games: In sports like figure skating or gymnastics, where judges assign scores, commentators often discuss the 'subjective judging' (주관적 채점) and how it can lead to controversy compared to sports with clear goals like soccer.

심판의 판정이 너무 주관적이라는 비판이 일고 있습니다. (Criticism is rising that the referee's judgment is too subjective.)

For English speakers learning Korean, the most common mistake with 주관적 is confusing it with other words that express 'personal' or 'individual.' While 'personal' and 'subjective' overlap, they are not always interchangeable in Korean.

Mistake 1: Using '주관적' for 'Personal' (개인적): If you want to say 'I have a personal reason,' you should use 개인적인 이유. If you say 주관적인 이유, it sounds like your reason is based on a biased perception rather than a private matter. '개인적' refers to the scope (individual vs. group), while '주관적' refers to the nature of the thought (biased/internal vs. factual/external).

Another error is forgetting the -인 or -으로 suffix. Since '주관적' is technically a noun-like adjective (determiner), it cannot directly modify a noun without -인. You cannot say *주관적 생각; it must be 주관적인 생각.

Wrong: 이것은 주관적 의견입니다.
Right: 이것은 주관적인 의견입니다.

Mistake 2: Negative Connotation Overuse: Learners often think '주관적' is always a bad thing, like being 'biased' (편향적). However, in many contexts, especially in philosophy and art, being subjective is a neutral or even positive quality. It represents the unique human experience. Don't assume someone is being insulted if their work is called 'subjective.'

Misusing the opposite word, 객관적, is also common. Sometimes learners use 공식적 (formal/official) when they mean objective. Remember: 주관적 (Subjective) ↔ 객관적 (Objective). This is a fixed pair in Korean thought.

Mistake 3: Confusing '주관' (Noun) and '주관적' (Adjective): '주관' (without the '적') often means 'autonomy' or 'having a spine.' If someone says '주관이 없다,' they mean 'You have no backbone/opinion of your own.' They are not saying you are 'not subjective.' Make sure to use the '-적' suffix when describing the *nature* of information.

그는 주관이 뚜렷한 사람이에요. (He is a person with strong convictions/personal views.)

To truly master 주관적, you must see how it fits into a family of related terms. Depending on the nuance you want—whether it's about being private, being biased, or just having an opinion—you might choose a different word.

주관적 vs. 개인적 (Individual/Personal): 주관적 focuses on the *internal perspective* vs. external facts. 개인적 focuses on the *individual* vs. the group. Example: A 'subjective feeling' (주관적인 느낌) vs. a 'personal matter' (개인적인 일).
주관적 vs. 편향적 (Biased/Prejudiced): 편향적 has a strong negative connotation, implying that the person is unfairly leaning toward one side. 주관적 is more neutral, simply stating that the view comes from the self.
주관적 vs. 자의적 (Arbitrary): 자의적 suggests that something was done based on one's own whim or without a clear rule. It is often used in legal or administrative contexts to describe an abuse of power or a lack of consistency.

If you are looking for a more formal or philosophical alternative, you might encounter the term 내면적 (Inner/Internal). While 주관적 deals with the 'viewpoint,' 내면적 deals with the 'inner world' or 'soul.' In literature, these two are often paired to describe a character's deep psychological state.

그 영화는 주인공의 주관적 환상과 내면적 갈등을 잘 보여줍니다. (That movie well portrays the protagonist's subjective fantasies and inner conflicts.)

When you want to emphasize that something is a 'matter of taste,' you can use the phrase 취향의 문제 (a matter of taste). While '주관적' is the academic way to say it, '취향' is the everyday way to talk about likes and dislikes.

In a debate, if you want to sound very smart, you can use the phrase 독단적 (Dogmatic/Arbitrary) to describe someone who is being *too* subjective to the point of ignoring others entirely. It's a much harsher version of 주관적.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '적' (的) originally meant 'target' or 'bright,' but in modern Korean and Japanese, it functions exactly like the English suffix '-ive' or '-al' to turn nouns into adjectives.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕu.ɡwan.d͡ʑʌk̚/

US /t͡ɕu.ɡwan.d͡ʑʌk̚/

In Korean, syllables generally have equal weight, but the '적' can feel slightly emphasized when used to contrast with '객관적'.

Rhymes With

객관적 (Gaekgwanjeok) 비판적 (Bipanjeok) 논리적 (Nonlijeok) 긍정적 (Geungjeongjeok) 부정적 (Bujeongjeok) 열정적 (Yeoljeongjeok) 합리적 (Hamlijeok) 사회적 (Sahoijeok)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '적' as 'jeo' without the final 'k' sound.
Over-voicing the 'j' in 'ju' so it sounds like 'zhoo'.
Making the 'g' in 'gwan' too heavy (like 'kwan').
Stretching the vowels too long.
Confusing the pitch with Japanese-style pitch accent.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires understanding of Sino-Korean roots and abstract concepts.

Writing 4/5

Must correctly use the -인 and -으로 suffixes.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but usage requires context awareness.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and debates, so it's easy to hear once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

생각 (Thought) 개인 (Individual) 사실 (Fact) 다르다 (To be different) 의견 (Opinion)

Learn Next

객관적 (Objective) 추상적 (Abstract) 구체적 (Specific) 상대적 (Relative) 절대적 (Absolute)

Advanced

현상학 (Phenomenology) 인식론 (Epistemology) 관념론 (Idealism) 실재론 (Realism)

Grammar to Know

The suffix -적 (的)

과학 (Science) -> 과학적 (Scientific)

Adjective formation with -인

주관적 + 인 + 생각 = 주관적인 생각

Adverb formation with -으로

주관적 + 으로 + 판단하다 = 주관적으로 판단하다

The copula 이다 with -적 words

이것은 주관적이다. (This is subjective.)

Contrasting with -기보다는

객관적이기보다는 주관적이다. (It is subjective rather than objective.)

Examples by Level

제 생각은 조금 달라요.

My thought is a bit different.

A1 uses '제 생각' (my thought) instead of '주관적'.

저는 이 영화가 재미있어요.

I find this movie fun.

Expressing a personal feeling.

사람마다 좋아하는 음식이 달라요.

Everyone likes different food.

The core concept of subjectivity: individual difference.

그것은 당신의 느낌이에요.

That is your feeling.

'느낌' (feeling) is a precursor to '주관적'.

저는 파란색이 제일 좋아요.

I like blue the best.

A subjective preference.

이 사과는 아주 달아요.

This apple is very sweet.

Taste is subjective.

날씨가 조금 추워요.

The weather is a bit cold.

Temperature perception is subjective.

이 노래는 슬퍼요.

This song is sad.

Emotional response is subjective.

이 평가는 주관적이에요.

This evaluation is subjective.

-적 + 이에요 (polite ending).

주관적인 생각은 중요해요.

Subjective thoughts are important.

주관적 + 인 (adjective form).

객관적인 사실을 말해 주세요.

Please tell me the objective facts.

Learning the opposite: 객관적.

주관적으로 보면 예뻐요.

Looking at it subjectively, it's pretty.

주관적 + 으로 (adverbial form).

그것은 주관적인 기준입니다.

That is a subjective standard.

Formal ending -입니다.

너무 주관적으로 생각하지 마세요.

Don't think too subjectively.

-지 마세요 (prohibition).

이것은 제 주관적인 의견입니다.

This is my subjective opinion.

Possessive '제' (my).

주관적 느낌이 강한 그림이에요.

It's a painting with a strong subjective feeling.

Modifying the noun '느낌'.

아름다움은 매우 주관적인 가치입니다.

Beauty is a very subjective value.

Using '가치' (value) with '주관적'.

그 기사는 너무 주관적으로 쓰였어요.

That article was written too subjectively.

Passive form '쓰였어요'.

면접 점수는 면접관의 주관에 따라 달라집니다.

Interview scores vary depending on the interviewer's subjectivity.

-에 따라 (depending on).

주관적인 판단보다는 데이터를 믿으세요.

Trust the data rather than subjective judgment.

-보다는 (rather than).

우리는 가끔 주관적인 편견에 빠집니다.

We sometimes fall into subjective biases.

-에 빠지다 (to fall into).

이 요리의 맛에 대한 평가는 주관적일 수밖에 없어요.

The evaluation of this dish's taste is bound to be subjective.

-ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (cannot help but be).

주관적인 경험을 글로 써 보세요.

Try writing about your subjective experiences.

Imperative -아/어 보세요.

그의 주관적인 해석은 흥미롭습니다.

His subjective interpretation is interesting.

Formal adjective usage.

심사 위원들의 주관적인 기준이 논란이 되고 있습니다.

The subjective criteria of the judges are becoming controversial.

Focus on '논란' (controversy).

역사는 기록자의 주관적 관점에 의해 재구성됩니다.

History is reconstructed by the recorder's subjective perspective.

-에 의해 (by).

이 보고서는 주관적인 추측을 배제하고 사실만을 담고 있습니다.

This report excludes subjective guesses and contains only facts.

배제하고 (excluding).

행복은 주관적인 안녕감의 상태를 의미합니다.

Happiness refers to a state of subjective well-being.

Academic definition.

그녀는 매사를 너무 주관적으로 받아들이는 경향이 있다.

She has a tendency to take everything too subjectively.

-는 경향이 있다 (tendency to).

질적 연구는 연구자의 주관적 통찰력을 중요하게 여깁니다.

Qualitative research values the researcher's subjective insight.

Academic context: Qualitative research.

주관적인 확신이 반드시 진실을 보장하는 것은 아니다.

Subjective conviction does not necessarily guarantee the truth.

Double negative for emphasis.

예술가는 자신의 주관적 세계를 캔버스에 투영한다.

The artist projects their subjective world onto the canvas.

Literary verb '투영하다' (to project).

인간의 인식은 본질적으로 주관적일 수밖에 없는 한계를 지닌다.

Human perception inherently has the limitation of being subjective.

Philosophical '한계' (limitation).

그 철학자는 주관적 진리의 중요성을 역설했다.

The philosopher emphasized the importance of subjective truth.

역설하다 (to emphasize/stress).

법적 판단에서 피고인의 주관적 의도는 중요한 고려 요소이다.

In legal judgment, the defendant's subjective intent is an important consideration factor.

Legal context: subjective intent.

현대 미술은 객관적 재현보다 주관적 표현에 치중한다.

Modern art focuses more on subjective expression than objective representation.

치중하다 (to focus/concentrate on).

주관성과 객관성의 경계는 때로 모호할 수 있다.

The boundary between subjectivity and objectivity can sometimes be vague.

Noun form '주관성'.

소비자의 주관적 선호도를 분석하여 마케팅 전략을 세웠다.

We established a marketing strategy by analyzing consumers' subjective preferences.

Business strategy context.

그 작가는 주관적 변용을 통해 일상의 사물을 낯설게 만든다.

The writer makes everyday objects strange through subjective transformation.

Literary theory context.

주관적 경험의 다양성을 인정하는 것이 민주주의의 기초이다.

Recognizing the diversity of subjective experiences is the foundation of democracy.

Political/Social context.

현상학은 의식의 주관적 구조를 탐구하는 학문이다.

Phenomenology is a discipline that explores the subjective structure of consciousness.

Advanced academic term: Phenomenology.

데카르트의 '코기토'는 근대 주관적 철학의 시발점이 되었다.

Descartes' 'Cogito' became the starting point of modern subjective philosophy.

Historical philosophy.

주관적 관념론은 외부 세계의 실재를 부정하기도 한다.

Subjective idealism sometimes denies the existence of the external world.

Philosophical term: Subjective Idealism.

문학 비평에서 주관적 인상은 분석의 단초가 되곤 한다.

In literary criticism, subjective impressions often serve as the starting point for analysis.

단초 (clue/starting point).

과학적 엄밀함을 위해 주관적 개입을 철저히 차단해야 한다.

For scientific rigor, subjective intervention must be thoroughly blocked.

Scientific rigor context.

그의 연설은 주관적 호소력은 높았으나 논리적 근거가 부족했다.

His speech had high subjective appeal, but lacked logical grounds.

Rhetorical analysis.

인간은 결코 주관적 인식의 감옥에서 완전히 벗어날 수 없다.

Humans can never completely escape the prison of subjective perception.

Metaphorical usage.

주관적 가치 판단이 공적 영역에 미치는 영향을 고찰하다.

To contemplate the influence of subjective value judgments on the public sphere.

고찰하다 (to contemplate/examine).

Synonyms

개인적인 독단적인 자의적인 편향적인 심리적인

Antonyms

객관적인 사실적인

Common Collocations

주관적 판단

주관적 견해

주관적 기준

주관적 경험

주관적 해석

주관적 안녕감

주관적 느낌

주관적 가치

주관적 시점

주관적 확신

Common Phrases

지극히 주관적이다

— To be extremely subjective. Used to emphasize that something is purely a matter of personal opinion.

그의 평가는 지극히 주관적이라 믿기 힘들어요.

주관적인 생각으로는

— In my subjective opinion. A polite way to introduce one's own view.

주관적인 생각으로는 이 디자인이 더 낫습니다.

주관을 배제하다

— To exclude subjectivity. Used when trying to be objective.

우리는 평가에서 주관을 배제해야 합니다.

주관이 뚜렷하다

— To have clear personal views/convictions. Describes a person who isn't easily swayed by others.

그녀는 주관이 뚜렷해서 자기 길을 간다.

주관적으로 해석하다

— To interpret subjectively. To read meaning into something based on personal bias.

상황을 너무 주관적으로 해석하지 마세요.

주관적인 요소

— Subjective elements. Factors that depend on personal feeling.

이 게임에는 주관적인 요소가 많이 들어있어요.

주관적 평가

— Subjective evaluation. A rating based on taste rather than metrics.

주관적 평가보다는 수치를 보여주세요.

주관이 없다

— To have no subjectivity/opinion. Describes someone who just follows others.

너는 왜 그렇게 주관이 없니?

주관적 관점

— Subjective perspective. A way of looking at things through a personal lens.

주관적 관점에서 보면 틀린 말이 아니에요.

주관적 진리

— Subjective truth. Something that is true for the individual but not necessarily for everyone.

키에르케고르는 주관적 진리를 강조했다.

Often Confused With

주관적 vs 개인적 (Personal)

개인적 refers to the person/scope, 주관적 refers to the nature of the thought.

주관적 vs 자의적 (Arbitrary)

자의적 implies doing something by whim or without a rule, often negative.

주관적 vs 독단적 (Dogmatic)

독단적 is being so subjective that you ignore all other opinions.

Idioms & Expressions

"제 눈에 안경"

— Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Literally, 'glasses for my own eyes.'

그 남자가 왜 좋냐고? 제 눈에 안경이지 뭐.

Informal

"입맛대로"

— According to one's taste/preference. Often used when someone does things subjectively.

모든 일을 네 입맛대로 처리할 수는 없어.

Neutral

"귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이"

— Depending on how you look at it. Used when an interpretation is so subjective it can mean anything.

그 규정은 귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이 식이에요.

Colloquial

"마음먹기 나름"

— It depends on how you set your mind. Emphasizes that reality is subjective to your attitude.

행복은 정말 마음먹기 나름인 것 같아요.

Neutral

"내 코가 석 자"

— I'm in no position to help others (my own problems are too big). Shows a focus on subjective hardship.

남 걱정할 때가 아니야, 내 코가 석 자라고.

Colloquial

"팔은 안으로 굽는다"

— The arm bends inward. (Blood is thicker than water). Shows subjective bias toward those close to you.

아무래도 팔은 안으로 굽기 마련이죠.

Common Saying

"우물 안 개구리"

— A frog in a well. Someone with a very limited and subjective view of the world.

그는 우물 안 개구리처럼 자기 생각만 옳다고 믿는다.

Literary

"역지사지"

— Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Encourages moving beyond one's own subjectivity.

역지사지의 마음으로 상대를 이해해 봅시다.

Formal/Hanja

"천생연분"

— A match made in heaven. A subjective feeling that two people are perfect for each other.

두 사람은 정말 천생연분인 것 같아요.

Neutral

"감지덕지"

— To be extremely grateful (even if the thing is small). Reflects a subjective state of gratitude.

이거라도 주시니 감지덕지합니다.

Neutral

Easily Confused

주관적 vs 개인적

Both translate to 'personal' in some contexts.

개인적 is about 'who' (an individual), 주관적 is about 'how' (from a personal viewpoint). You have 'personal reasons' (개인적), but a 'subjective opinion' (주관적).

개인적인 사정으로 못 가요. (I can't go for personal reasons.) vs 주관적인 평가를 내렸어요. (I gave a subjective evaluation.)

주관적 vs 자의적

Both involve the self's own view.

자의적 specifically means 'at one's own discretion' or 'arbitrarily,' often implying a lack of consistency or fairness in following rules.

그는 법을 자의적으로 해석했다. (He interpreted the law arbitrarily.)

주관적 vs 편향적

Both involve a lack of objectivity.

편향적 means 'biased' and almost always has a negative connotation of being unfair. 주관적 is more neutral and describes the state of the mind.

뉴스가 너무 편향적이에요. (The news is too biased.)

주관적 vs 내면적

Both deal with the internal state.

내면적 refers to the 'inner' or 'hidden' world of the mind/soul. 주관적 refers specifically to the 'perspective' or 'viewpoint'.

그녀의 내면적 아름다움. (Her inner beauty.)

주관적 vs 독단적

Both involve one's own strong views.

독단적 is 'dogmatic' or 'authoritarian'—it's about forcing one's subjective view on others.

독단적인 리더십은 위험하다. (Dogmatic leadership is dangerous.)

Sentence Patterns

이것은 주관적이에요.

이 맛은 주관적이에요.

주관적인 [Noun]은/는 [Adjective]해요.

주관적인 생각은 중요해요.

[Noun]을/를 주관적으로 [Verb]해요.

그는 상황을 주관적으로 봐요.

[Noun]은/는 지극히 주관적입니다.

예술은 지극히 주관적입니다.

주관적인 요소를 배제하고 [Verb].

주관적인 요소를 배제하고 평가합시다.

주관적 관점에 의해 [Verb]되다.

역사는 주관적 관점에 의해 서술된다.

주관성과 객관성의 [Noun].

주관성과 객관성의 조화가 필요하다.

주관적 인식을 넘어서는 [Noun].

주관적 인식을 넘어서는 진리를 찾다.

Word Family

Nouns

주관 (Subjectivity/One's own view)

주관성 (Subjectivity - the quality)

주관주의 (Subjectivism)

주체 (Subject/Agent)

Verbs

주관하다 (To supervise/manage - Note: this is a different Hanja '主管')

주관화하다 (To subjectivize)

Adjectives

주관적 (Subjective)

개인 (Individual)

관점 (Perspective)

객관적 (Objective)

의견 (Opinion)

감정 (Emotion)

How to Use It

frequency

High in media, education, and professional discourse; Medium in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Using '주관적' for 'personal secret'. → 개인적인 비밀 (Personal secret)
'주관적' is about the nature of a viewpoint, not about privacy. Secrets are '개인적'.
Saying '주관적 생각' without '-인'. → 주관적인 생각
In Korean, noun-based adjectives ending in '-적' require '-인' to modify a noun correctly.
Confusing '주관적' with '자의적'. → 자의적인 해석 (Arbitrary interpretation)
If someone is interpreting a rule just however they want (ignoring the rule), it's '자의적'. '주관적' is just their personal perspective.
Using '주관적' as a verb without '이다'. → 그것은 주관적이다.
'주관적' is a noun/adjective form and needs the copula '이다' to function as a predicate.
Thinking '주관적' is always an insult. → 주관적인 예술 표현 (Subjective artistic expression)
In art and philosophy, '주관적' is a neutral or positive descriptor of individual creativity.

Tips

Pair it with '판단'

One of the most common ways to use this word is '주관적 판단' (subjective judgment). It sounds very natural when explaining why you made a certain choice.

Don't forget the '인'

Remember that '주관적' needs '인' to modify a noun. Say '주관적인 이유' instead of '주관적 이유' to sound like a native speaker.

Use it to soften criticism

If you don't like something, saying '그건 제 주관적인 느낌이에요' (That's just my subjective feeling) makes you sound less aggressive and more polite.

Learn '객관적' simultaneously

These two words are like two sides of a coin. Learning them together will help you understand the boundaries of each word better.

Academic Tone

In university papers, use '주관성을 배제하다' (to exclude subjectivity) to demonstrate that your research is rigorous and unbiased.

Understand '주관이 뚜렷하다'

This is a common positive description for someone who has a strong sense of self and doesn't just follow the crowd. It's a great compliment for a friend.

The 'Master' View

Remember the Hanja '主' (Master). Subjective is the 'Master's view'—it belongs to the person (the master of their own mind).

Listen for '적'

Many high-level Korean adjectives end in '-적'. When you hear this, you know you are listening to something descriptive and often abstract.

Workplace Evaluations

If you feel a performance review was unfair, you can politely say '평가 기준이 조금 주관적인 것 같습니다' (The evaluation criteria seem a bit subjective).

Subjective vs Biased

Avoid using '주관적' if you mean someone is being intentionally unfair; in that case, '편향적' (biased) or '불공정' (unfair) is more accurate.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'JU' as 'YOU'. Subjective is about *YOU* (주) and how you *VIEW* (관) things.

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of glasses with different colored lenses for every person. Everyone sees the same world, but the color is '주관적'.

Word Web

주관적 객관적 나의 생각 예술 평가 편견 느낌 기준

Challenge

Try to describe your favorite food using only '주관적' reasons (taste, memory, smell) and then try to describe it '객관적'ly (ingredients, calories, price).

Word Origin

Borrowed from Hanja (Sino-Korean). The term was likely standardized in its modern academic sense during the late 19th or early 20th century as East Asian scholars translated Western philosophical works (like those of Kant or Hegel) into Chinese characters.

Original meaning: 主 (Master/Host) + 觀 (View). A view from the position of the master/subject.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to dismiss someone's deep feelings as 'merely subjective' (그냥 주관적인 거야) during a serious emotional conversation, as it can sound dismissive or cold.

English speakers often use 'subjective' in debates to point out bias. In Korean, it is used similarly but also appears more frequently in discussions about 'taste' and 'art' without the negative sting.

Kierkegaard's 'Subjectivity is Truth' (주관성이 진리다) is a famous philosophical quote studied in Korean ethics classes. Modern K-dramas often feature characters who struggle between their subjective desires and objective social duties. Korean art theory frequently discusses the 'subjective transformation' of nature in traditional ink paintings.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Art Criticism

주관적인 표현
주관적 시각
작가의 주관
감상의 주관성

Job Interviews

주관이 뚜렷한 지원자
자신의 주관을 밝히다
주관적인 평가 기준
주관적 역량

Scientific Research

주관적 요소를 배제하다
주관적 오류
주관적 데이터의 한계
주관적 설문

Daily Debates

지극히 주관적이다
주관적인 생각일 뿐이다
주관적으로 판단하다
개인적이고 주관적인

Medical Consultations

주관적인 통증
주관적 증상 호소
주관적 만족도
주관적 건강 상태

Conversation Starters

"영화에 대한 평가는 항상 주관적이라고 생각하시나요?"

"행복의 기준은 주관적일까요, 아니면 객관적인 지표가 있을까요?"

"자신의 주관이 너무 뚜렷해서 손해를 본 적이 있나요?"

"면접에서 주관적인 질문을 받으면 어떻게 대답하는 것이 좋을까요?"

"우리는 어떻게 주관적인 편견에서 벗어날 수 있을까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 내린 결정들 중에서 가장 주관적인 결정은 무엇이었나요? 그 이유는 무엇입니까?

내가 생각하는 '아름다움'의 주관적인 기준에 대해 자세히 써 보세요.

누군가 나의 의견을 '너무 주관적이다'라고 비판했을 때의 기분과 나의 대응을 기록해 보세요.

객관적인 사실보다 주관적인 진심이 더 중요했던 순간이 있었나요?

예술 작품을 볼 때 나는 객관적인 기법을 보나요, 아니면 나의 주관적인 느낌을 따르나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is not always negative. While it can imply bias in science or news, in art, music, and personal feelings, being subjective is natural and often valued as a sign of unique human experience.

Yes, absolutely. Since taste is a matter of personal preference, you can say '맛에 대한 평가는 주관적이에요' (Evaluations of taste are subjective).

'주관' is the noun meaning 'subjectivity' or 'one's own view,' while '주관적' is the adjective form meaning 'subjective.' You say '주관이 뚜렷하다' (has strong views) but '주관적인 생각' (subjective thought).

You can say '제 주관적인 생각으로는...' or '제 주관적인 견해로는...'. This is a polite and sophisticated way to share your view.

It is the most direct opposite. Other words like '보편적' (universal) or '공평적' (fair) can be opposites depending on the context, but '객관적' is the standard pair.

Use '개인적' for private matters (personal life, personal reasons). Use '주관적' for the nature of an opinion or judgment (subjective criteria, subjective feeling).

Yes, it is a Hanja word: 主 (Subject/Master) + 觀 (View) + 的 (Adjective suffix).

It is common in interview segments with actors/idols when they talk about their acting styles or music tastes, but less common in the lyrics of pop songs themselves.

Yes, in medicine, '주관적 증상' refers to symptoms only the patient can feel (like pain or dizziness), whereas '객관적 징후' are things a doctor can see (like a rash or fever).

It is generally considered B2 (Upper Intermediate) because it deals with abstract concepts and is used in academic/professional settings.