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B1 noun #5,000 most common 10 min read

성패

seongpae Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 성패 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 성패 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '성패' is a very advanced word that you likely won't need for basic survival Korean. However, you can think of it as a combination of two words you might learn later: '성공' (success) and '실패' (failure). Imagine you are playing a game. The '성패' is the final result—did you win or did you lose? At this stage, just remember that Korean sometimes puts two opposite words together to make a new word. It's like saying 'hot-cold' to mean 'temperature.' You don't need to use this word in your own speaking yet, but if you see it in a title, know it means 'the final result of success or failure.'

For A2 learners, '성패' is a useful word to recognize in news headlines or formal announcements. You might start seeing it in sentences like 'The success or failure of the party depends on the food.' In Korean, this would be '파티의 성패는 음식에 달려 있어요.' Notice the pattern 'A의 성패는 B에 달려 있다' (The success/failure of A depends on B). This is a very common structure. Even if you don't use '성패' in your daily life, understanding this pattern will help you understand more formal Korean. Think of it as a more 'grown-up' way to talk about results.

At the B1 level, you should begin to use '성패' in your writing and formal speaking. This word is perfect for discussing projects, school plans, or career goals. Instead of saying '성공할지 실패할지 몰라요' (I don't know if I will succeed or fail), you can say '성패를 알 수 없어요' (The outcome is unknown). This makes you sound more professional and fluent. You should also learn the common verb '좌우하다' (to determine/influence) which often goes with '성패'. For example, 'Your effort will determine the success or failure of the exam.' (노력이 시험의 성패를 좌우할 거예요.) This level is about moving from simple descriptions to analytical ones.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '성패' in complex discussions about society, business, and politics. You should understand that '성패' is not just a simple choice between two things, but a way to evaluate the effectiveness of a strategy. You can use it to discuss historical events or economic policies. For example, 'The success or failure of the new law is still being debated.' (새 법안의 성패에 대해 여전히 논란이 많습니다.) You should also be able to distinguish '성패' from '승패' (victory/defeat) and '결과' (result), choosing the most precise word for the context. This level requires nuanced understanding of register.

For C1 learners, '성패' is a tool for deep analysis. You should be able to use it in academic essays or high-level business presentations. You might use it to discuss the '성패의 요인' (factors of success or failure) or the '성패의 갈림길' (the crossroads of success and failure). At this level, you can use the word to describe abstract concepts like the '성패 of a civilization' or the '성패 of a philosophical movement.' You should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions and formal collocations like '성패를 가르다' (to decide the outcome) and '성패가 엇갈리다' (to have mixed success and failure). Your usage should reflect a high degree of precision and formal tone.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '성패'. You can use it with subtle irony or in highly specialized professional contexts. You understand the historical and cultural weight the word carries, especially in the context of South Korea's rapid economic development (the '성패' of the Five-Year Plans, for instance). You can use it in complex grammatical structures and pair it with advanced Hanja-based vocabulary. You might analyze the '성패' of a literary work's reception or the '성패' of a complex diplomatic maneuver. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item, but a conceptual lens through which you analyze the world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

성패 in 30 Seconds

A formal noun meaning 'success and failure' or the 'outcome' of a major endeavor.
Commonly used in business, news, and academic contexts to discuss deciding factors.
Often paired with the verb '달려 있다' (depends on) to indicate what determines the result.
Distinguished from '승패' (victory/defeat), which is used specifically for games and battles.

The Korean noun 성패 (成敗) is a fascinating linguistic construct that combines two opposing concepts into a single analytical term. Rooted in Hanja, the word is composed of 성 (成), meaning 'to achieve' or 'succeed,' and 패 (敗), meaning 'to lose' or 'fail.' Together, they do not simply mean 'success and failure' as a list, but rather refer to the ultimate outcome or the destiny of a specific endeavor, project, or event where both success and failure are possible outcomes. It is a word that looks at a situation from a high-level perspective, acknowledging the binary nature of results in human activities.

Core Concept: 성패 represents the total result of an action, focusing on whether that action reaches its goal or falls short. It is often used when discussing the 'key' or 'deciding factor' of a situation.

In daily life, you won't hear this word often in casual conversations about small things like 'did you succeed in making coffee?' Instead, it is reserved for significant events: business ventures, military operations, political elections, or major life milestones. It carries a weight of gravity and professional analysis. When a CEO discusses the 성패 of a new product launch, they are talking about the critical juncture that determines if the company thrives or suffers a setback.

이번 프로젝트의 성패는 팀원들의 협력에 달려 있습니다. (The success or failure of this project depends on the cooperation of the team members.)

The beauty of the word lies in its neutrality prior to the event. While '성공' (success) is positive and '실패' (failure) is negative, '성패' is the abstract box containing both possibilities. It allows speakers to discuss the factors leading to a result without yet knowing what that result will be. It is the 'fate' of the effort. For example, in historical dramas, generals often speak of the 성패 of a battle as something determined by the heavens or by a single strategic move.

Etymological Breakdown: 成 (성): To accomplish, to complete, to succeed. 敗 (패): To be defeated, to break, to fail. Together: The state of being accomplished or defeated.

Furthermore, the word is frequently paired with verbs like 좌우하다 (to influence/determine) or 갈리다 (to be divided/decided). This highlights its use as a pivot point. If you say '성패가 갈렸다,' you are saying the moment of truth has passed and the outcome—be it good or bad—has been finalized. It is a term of evaluation and high-stakes planning.

기술 개발의 성패가 기업의 미래를 결정할 것입니다. (The outcome of the technology development will determine the future of the company.)

Using 성패 correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun that represents a 'variable.' In English, we often use the phrase 'success or failure,' but in Korean, 성패 functions as a single noun unit, making sentences more concise and professional. It is almost exclusively used in formal writing, news, business reports, and academic papers.

Grammatical Pattern 1: ~의 성패: The most common way to use it is by attaching it to the subject of the endeavor using the possessive '의'. For example: '사업의 성패' (The success or failure of the business).

When you want to say that something 'depends' on a factor, you use the pattern [Factor]에 성패가 달려 있다. This is a staple phrase in Korean business culture. It emphasizes that the factor in question is the 'make or break' element. For instance, if you are launchng a startup, you might say that the 성패 depends on the initial funding.

마케팅 전략에 이번 신제품의 성패가 달려 있습니다. (The success or failure of this new product depends on the marketing strategy.)

Another frequent usage involves the verb 좌우하다 (to control/influence). When a variable 'determines' the outcome, we say it '좌우한다' the 성패. This is often used in political analysis, such as 'The voter turnout will determine the 성패 of the election.' It suggests a dynamic where one lever can move the entire result toward either side of the success-failure spectrum.

Collocation: 성패를 가르다: Literally 'to divide the success and failure.' This means to be the deciding factor that settles the outcome. '작은 차이가 성패를 갈랐다' (A small difference decided the outcome).

In academic writing, you might see 성패 used to discuss historical events. For example, historians might debate the factors that led to the 성패 of a particular reform movement. Here, it implies a retrospective look at whether the goals were achieved or if the movement collapsed. It provides a holistic view of the event's conclusion.

그 작전의 성패에 대해 역사가들의 의견이 분분합니다. (Historians have divided opinions on the success or failure of that operation.)

If you are watching the Korean evening news (뉴스), you will hear 성패 almost every single day. It is the language of reporting on national projects, economic policies, and diplomatic negotiations. When the government announces a new real estate policy, the news anchor will inevitably ask, 'What is the key to the 성패 of this policy?' This highlights how the word is used to frame the stakes of public discourse.

Context: Corporate Boardrooms: In a professional setting, managers use '성패' to evaluate risks. It is a standard term in SWOT analysis and project post-mortems. It signals that the speaker is looking at the big picture.

You will also encounter 성패 in the world of sports, particularly in commentary. While '승패' (victory or defeat) is more common for individual games, 성패 is used for broader goals, like a coach's 'success or failure' in rebuilding a team over a season. It refers to the long-term objective rather than a single scoreboard result. For example, 'The success of this season's recruitment will determine the 성패 of the team's future.'

감독은 이번 시즌의 성패가 수비력에 달려 있다고 강조했습니다. (The coach emphasized that the success or failure of this season depends on the defensive strength.)

Educational contexts also use this word frequently. Teachers and motivational speakers often talk about the 성패 of one's studies or career path. In this sense, it becomes a bit more personal but remains formal. A student might read an article titled 'The 성패 of College Life Depends on Time Management.' Here, it serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing that the outcome is in the student's hands.

Context: Political Campaigns: Pundits often analyze the '성패' of an election campaign by looking at the candidate's image or their response to a scandal. It is the metric of political survival.

In summary, 성패 is the word of the 'evaluator.' Whether it's a journalist, a historian, a manager, or a critic, people who stand back and judge the efficacy of an action will use 성패 to describe the ultimate result. It is a word that bridges the gap between current effort and future consequences.

회담의 성패를 예측하기에는 아직 이릅니다. (It is still too early to predict the success or failure of the summit.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 성패 is using it in contexts that are too casual or trivial. Because it is a Sino-Korean word (Hanja-based) and carries significant weight, using it for small daily tasks can sound unnatural or even unintentionally humorous, like using the word 'destiny' to describe whether you successfully toasted a piece of bread.

Mistake 1: Excessive Formality: Avoid saying '오늘 저녁 요리의 성패는 소금에 달렸어' (The success or failure of tonight's dinner depends on the salt) unless you are joking. Use '맛' (taste) or '결과' (result) instead.

Another error is confusing 성패 with 승패 (勝敗). While they look similar and both deal with binary outcomes, they are used in different domains. 승패 literally means 'victory or defeat' and is used for games, sports matches, and wars where there is a clear winner and loser. 성패, on the other hand, is about whether a goal was achieved or a project was successful. You wouldn't say the '성패' of a soccer match; you would say the '승패'.

틀린 예: 축구 경기의 성패가 결정되었습니다. (X) -> 승패 (O)

Learners also sometimes forget that 성패 is a noun and try to use it as a verb. Unlike '성공하다' (to succeed) or '실패하다' (to fail), there is no '성패하다'. You must use it as a noun, usually with verbs like '달려 있다' (depend on), '좌우하다' (determine), or '가르다' (decide). If you want to use a verb, you must choose either success or failure specifically.

Mistake 2: Using '성패' as a synonym for '성공': Don't say '성패를 축하합니다' (I congratulate your success and failure). If you want to congratulate someone, use '성공을 축하합니다'. 성패 is for analysis, not celebration.

Lastly, be careful with particles. Since 성패 often acts as the subject of a sentence describing a 'dependency,' the particle -가/이 is most common (성패가 달려 있다). Using -를/을 is only appropriate when 성패 is the object of an action, such as '성패를 결정하다' (to decide the outcome). Using the wrong particle can make the sentence feel disjointed.

이번 실험의 성패가 매우 중요합니다. (The success or failure of this experiment is very important.)

To truly master 성패, you need to know how it compares to other words that describe results. Korean has a rich vocabulary for outcomes, and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey.

성패 vs. 결과 (Result): 결과 (Gyeol-gwa) is a general term for any result. It can be positive, negative, or neutral. 성패 is specific to the binary of success or failure. Use '결과' for 'The result of the test' and '성패' for 'The success or failure of the reform.'
성패 vs. 승패 (Victory/Defeat): 승패 (Seung-pae) is for competitions where one side wins and the other loses. 성패 is for endeavors where a goal is either met or not met. A business doesn't 'win' against a goal; it 'succeeds' in reaching it.

Another alternative is 여부 (Whether or not). This is often used with '성공' to mean 'whether it succeeds or not.' For example, '성공 여부' (seong-gong yeo-bu) is a very common alternative to '성패'. While '성패' sounds more like a singular concept of destiny, '성공 여부' sounds more like a factual 'yes or no' question. In many business contexts, they are interchangeable, but '성패' carries a slightly more literary or dramatic tone.

사업의 성패 (Success or failure of the business) vs. 성공 여부 (Whether the business succeeds or not).

In some cases, you might use 성적 (Grade/Performance). This is used when the outcome is measured on a scale, like in school or in quarterly business reports. While '성패' is binary (succeed or fail), '성적' allows for degrees of success. If a company did 'okay,' you would talk about their '성적,' not their '성패'.

성패 vs. 향방 (Direction): 향방 (Hyang-bang) refers to the direction or course of an event. It is often used for ongoing processes. '사건의 향방' (The direction of the case). '성패' is about the final conclusion.

Lastly, for very formal or poetic contexts, one might use 사활 (Life or death). This is much stronger than '성패'. If something 'hangs on the 사활 of the company,' it means the company's very existence is at stake. '성패' is about the project's goal; '사활' is about survival itself.

이 프로젝트는 회사의 성패뿐만 아니라 사활이 걸린 문제입니다. (This project is a matter of not just success or failure, but the very survival of the company.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese texts, '성패' was often used in military strategy books to emphasize that a general must consider both the potential for glory and the risk of ruin before moving an army.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sʌŋ.pʰɛ/

US /sʌŋ.pʰɛ/

Equal stress on both syllables, though the first syllable might feel slightly longer due to the nasal ending.

Rhymes With

건패 (geon-pae) 선패 (seon-pae) 연패 (yeon-pae) 완패 (wan-pae) 참패 (cham-pae) 실패 (sil-pae) 부패 (bu-pae) 승패 (seung-pae)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '성' as '송' (song).
Failing to aspirate the 'ㅍ' in '패', making it sound like '배' (bae).
Pronouncing '애' (ae) as a dipthong like 'eye'. It should be a single vowel sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and books, but requires knowledge of Hanja-based compounds.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of formal collocations to use naturally.

Speaking 4/5

Not used in casual daily speech; using it correctly requires a formal setting.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation but can be confused with '승패'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

성공 실패 결과 일 중요하다

Learn Next

좌우하다 가늠하다 관건 사활 기로

Advanced

흥망성쇠 성쇠 영욕 여부

Grammar to Know

-에 달려 있다 (To depend on)

성패는 노력에 달려 있습니다.

-느냐가 관건이다 (The key is whether...)

성패는 얼마나 준비하느냐가 관건입니다.

-를 떠나서 (Regardless of...)

성패를 떠나서 최선을 다합시다.

-에 의해 결정되다 (To be determined by...)

성패는 실력에 의해 결정됩니다.

-기 나름이다 (To depend on how one does...)

성패는 마음먹기 나름입니다.

Examples by Level

이 일의 성패가 중요해요.

The success or failure of this work is important.

성패 (noun) + 가 (subject particle)

성패는 아무도 몰라요.

No one knows the success or failure.

성패 (noun) + 는 (topic particle)

성공과 실패, 즉 성패입니다.

Success and failure, that is 'seong-pae'.

Explaining the components of the word.

그 계획의 성패를 보세요.

Look at the success or failure of that plan.

성패 (object) + 를 (object particle)

성패가 궁금해요.

I am curious about the success or failure.

궁금하다 (to be curious) takes the subject particle -가.

이것은 성패의 문제입니다.

This is a matter of success or failure.

성패 + 의 (possessive particle) + 문제 (problem/matter)

성패를 생각하세요.

Think about the success or failure.

생각하다 (to think) takes the object particle -를.

성패가 갈릴 거예요.

The outcome will be decided.

갈리다 is a passive verb meaning 'to be divided/decided'.

노력에 따라 성패가 달라져요.

The success or failure changes depending on effort.

-에 따라 (depending on)

이번 시험의 성패가 걱정돼요.

I'm worried about the success or failure of this exam.

걱정되다 (to be worried)

성패는 운에 달려 있을까요?

Does success or failure depend on luck?

-에 달려 있다 (to depend on)

우리는 성패를 확인해야 합니다.

We must check the success or failure.

-해야 하다 (must/have to)

그 사업의 성패는 아직 몰라요.

We don't know the success or failure of that business yet.

아직 (yet/still)

성패를 결정하는 것은 시간입니다.

What decides success or failure is time.

-는 것 (nominalizing a verb)

그의 성패는 우리에게 중요합니다.

His success or failure is important to us.

-에게 (to/for someone)

성패를 두려워하지 마세요.

Don't be afraid of success or failure.

-지 마세요 (don't do...)

이번 프로젝트의 성패는 팀워크에 달려 있습니다.

The success or failure of this project depends on teamwork.

Formal sentence structure using -습니다.

마케팅이 신제품의 성패를 좌우할 것입니다.

Marketing will determine the success or failure of the new product.

좌우하다 (to determine/influence)

우리는 실험의 성패를 겸허히 받아들여야 해요.

We must humbly accept the success or failure of the experiment.

겸허히 (humbly)

성패의 원인을 분석하는 것이 필요합니다.

It is necessary to analyze the causes of success or failure.

분석하다 (to analyze)

그 감독의 성패는 이번 시즌에 결정될 거예요.

The coach's success or failure will be decided this season.

결정되다 (to be decided)

작은 실수가 성패를 가를 수 있습니다.

A small mistake can decide the outcome.

가르다 (to divide/decide)

성패를 떠나서 최선을 다하는 것이 중요해요.

Regardless of success or failure, doing your best is important.

-를 떠나서 (setting aside / regardless of)

그 정책의 성패에 대해 토론해 봅시다.

Let's discuss the success or failure of that policy.

-에 대해 (about)

초기 자본의 확보가 사업의 성패를 결정짓는 핵심 요소입니다.

Securing initial capital is the key factor determining the business's outcome.

결정짓다 (to finalize/determine)

정부는 이번 경제 개혁의 성패에 사활을 걸고 있습니다.

The government is staking everything on the success or failure of this economic reform.

사활을 걸다 (to stake one's life/existence)

어떤 전략을 선택하느냐가 전쟁의 성패를 좌우했습니다.

Which strategy was chosen determined the outcome of the war.

-느냐가 (indirect question as a subject)

그 작가의 신작은 비평가들 사이에서 성패가 엇갈리고 있습니다.

The author's new work is receiving mixed reviews (success and failure) among critics.

엇갈리다 (to cross/be mixed)

과거의 사례를 통해 성패의 교훈을 얻어야 합니다.

We must gain lessons of success and failure through past cases.

교훈 (lesson)

기술력뿐만 아니라 디자인도 제품의 성패에 큰 영향을 미칩니다.

Not only technology but also design has a great impact on the product's outcome.

-뿐만 아니라 (not only... but also)

성패를 가늠하기 힘든 상황에서 모험을 하는 것은 위험합니다.

It is dangerous to take an adventure in a situation where the outcome is hard to gauge.

가늠하다 (to gauge/estimate)

교육 제도의 성패는 교사들의 역량에 달려 있다고 해도 과언이 아닙니다.

It is no exaggeration to say that the success of the education system depends on the capabilities of teachers.

-라고 해도 과언이 아니다 (It's no exaggeration to say...)

이번 협상의 성패는 양측의 양보와 타협에 의해 결정될 것입니다.

The outcome of this negotiation will be determined by the concessions and compromises of both sides.

양보 (concession) and 타협 (compromise).

역사적으로 볼 때, 혁명의 성패는 민중의 지지 여부에 달려 있었습니다.

Historically speaking, the outcome of a revolution depended on the support of the masses.

- 여부 (whether or not)

기업의 성패를 가르는 것은 결국 고객의 신뢰를 얻느냐 못 얻느냐의 문제입니다.

What decides the success or failure of a company is ultimately the matter of whether they gain the customer's trust.

A complex nominalized clause as a subject.

그 학설의 성패는 실험 데이터의 객관성에 의해 입증될 것입니다.

The success or failure of that theory will be proven by the objectivity of the experimental data.

입증되다 (to be proven)

정치적 성패를 떠나서, 그는 자신의 신념을 끝까지 지켰습니다.

Regardless of political success or failure, he kept his beliefs until the end.

신념 (belief/conviction)

문화적 변용의 성패는 수용 주체의 태도에 따라 달라집니다.

The outcome of cultural transformation varies depending on the attitude of the accepting subject.

Advanced academic vocabulary: 변용 (transformation), 수용 주체 (accepting subject).

이 프로젝트의 성패가 향후 10년간의 국가 경쟁력을 좌우할 중대한 사안입니다.

The outcome of this project is a critical issue that will determine national competitiveness for the next 10 years.

중대한 사안 (critical issue/matter)

성패의 기로에 서 있는 그들에게 가장 필요한 것은 용기입니다.

What they need most, standing at the crossroads of success and failure, is courage.

기로에 서다 (to stand at a crossroads)

국가 개조론의 성패는 기득권 세력의 저항을 어떻게 극복하느냐에 귀결됩니다.

The outcome of the theory of national reconstruction boils down to how the resistance of the vested interest groups is overcome.

귀결되다 (to result in / boil down to)

인류 문명의 성패를 논하기에는 아직 우리가 가야 할 길이 멉니다.

It is still a long way for us to go to discuss the ultimate success or failure of human civilization.

-기에는 (in order to... / for doing...)

그 정책의 성패를 가늠하는 잣대는 단순한 경제적 지표를 넘어서야 합니다.

The yardstick for gauging the success or failure of that policy must go beyond simple economic indicators.

잣대 (yardstick/standard)

자본주의 체제의 성패는 불평등 문제를 해결할 수 있는 자정 능력에 달려 있습니다.

The outcome of the capitalist system depends on its self-purifying ability to solve the problem of inequality.

자정 능력 (self-purifying ability)

개인의 성패를 사회적 잣대로만 평가하는 것은 인간의 존엄성을 훼손할 수 있습니다.

Evaluating an individual's success or failure solely by social standards can undermine human dignity.

훼손하다 (to damage/undermine)

이번 우주 탐사 프로젝트의 성패는 미지의 영역에 대한 인류의 도전 정신을 상징합니다.

The outcome of this space exploration project symbolizes humanity's spirit of challenge toward the unknown.

미지의 영역 (unknown territory)

학문적 성패는 당대의 평가보다는 후대의 재평가에 의해 결정되는 경우가 많습니다.

Academic success or failure is often determined by the re-evaluation of later generations rather than the evaluation of the current era.

당대 (current era) vs 후대 (later generations)

디지털 전환의 성패는 기술의 도입이 아니라 조직 문화의 변화에 달려 있습니다.

The outcome of digital transformation depends on the change in organizational culture, not the introduction of technology.

A 아니라 B (Not A but B)

Synonyms

결과 운명 흥망

Antonyms

성공 실패

Common Collocations

성패가 달려 있다

성패를 좌우하다

성패를 가르다

성패의 관건

성패를 분석하다

성패가 엇갈리다

성패를 예측하다

성패의 갈림길

성패를 결정짓다

성패에 연연하다

Common Phrases

성패의 열쇠

— The key to success or failure.

데이터가 성패의 열쇠입니다.

성패를 떠나서

— Regardless of the outcome.

성패를 떠나서 도전이 중요합니다.

성패의 요인

— Factors of success or failure.

성패의 요인을 찾아봅시다.

사업의 성패

— The success or failure of a business.

사업의 성패는 고객에게 달렸습니다.

작전의 성패

— The success or failure of an operation.

작전의 성패는 속도에 달렸습니다.

인생의 성패

— The success or failure of one's life.

인생의 성패를 돈으로만 보지 마세요.

개혁의 성패

— The success or failure of a reform.

개혁의 성패는 실천에 있습니다.

협상의 성패

— The success or failure of a negotiation.

협상의 성패가 불투명합니다.

성패를 가늠하다

— To gauge or judge the outcome.

아직 성패를 가늠하기 이릅니다.

성패가 불투명하다

— The outcome is uncertain.

현재로서는 성패가 불투명합니다.

Often Confused With

성패 vs 승패 (Seung-pae)

Used for games and wars (victory/defeat), while 성패 is for goals and projects.

성패 vs 성공 (Seong-gong)

Only means 'success.' 성패 includes the possibility of failure.

성패 vs 실패 (Sil-pae)

Only means 'failure.' 성패 is the neutral term for the outcome.

Idioms & Expressions

"성패는 병가상사"

— Success and failure are common in military affairs (meaning don't be discouraged by a single failure).

성패는 병가상사라니 다시 힘을 내세요.

Literary/Old-fashioned

"성패가 하늘에 달려 있다"

— The outcome is in the hands of heaven (fate).

진인사대천명, 성패가 하늘에 달려 있습니다.

Formal/Proverbial

"성패의 기로에 서다"

— Standing at a critical point that determines success or failure.

회사는 지금 성패의 기로에 서 있습니다.

Neutral

"성패를 건 도박"

— A gamble on which success or failure depends.

그것은 성패를 건 위험한 도박이었습니다.

Metaphorical

"성패를 가르는 한 수"

— The one move that decides success or failure.

그의 결정이 성패를 가르는 한 수가 되었습니다.

Neutral

"성패의 쓴맛 단맛"

— The bitter and sweet tastes of success and failure (experiencing everything).

그는 성패의 쓴맛 단맛을 다 보았습니다.

Informal/Literary

"성패를 같이하다"

— To share the same fate (success or failure) together.

우리는 이 배와 성패를 같이할 것입니다.

Formal

"성패가 종이 한 장 차이"

— Success and failure are only a paper's width apart (a very thin margin).

성패는 종이 한 장 차이로 갈렸습니다.

Neutral

"성패를 장담할 수 없다"

— Cannot guarantee the success or failure.

누구도 이번 일의 성패를 장담할 수 없습니다.

Formal

"성패를 묻지 않다"

— Not to ask about the success or failure (regardless of the result).

성패를 묻지 않고 지원하기로 했습니다.

Formal

Easily Confused

성패 vs 성적

Both relate to results.

성적 is a measurable score (grades), while 성패 is the binary success/failure of a whole endeavor.

시험 성적은 좋지만, 유학 생활의 성패는 아직 모른다.

성패 vs 성과

Both relate to business results.

성과 focuses on the positive fruits/achievements, while 성패 is the analytical term for whether the goal was met or not.

성과를 내는 것이 성패를 좌우한다.

성패 vs 결과

Both mean 'result'.

결과 is general. 성패 is specific to success vs failure.

실험 결과를 보니 성패가 확실해졌다.

성패 vs 향방

Both discuss how things turn out.

향방 is the ongoing direction. 성패 is the final conclusion.

사건의 향방이 성패를 결정할 것이다.

성패 vs 여부

Both mean 'whether or not'.

여부 is a technical suffix (성공 여부). 성패 is a standalone noun with more weight.

성공 여부를 떠나 성패의 원인을 밝혀라.

Sentence Patterns

A의 성패는 B에 달려 있다.

시험의 성패는 노력에 달려 있다.

A가 B의 성패를 좌우한다.

날씨가 행사의 성패를 좌우한다.

성패를 떠나서 A하다.

성패를 떠나서 도전해 봐.

성패가 갈리는 시점이다.

지금이 성패가 갈리는 시점입니다.

성패의 관건은 A이다.

성패의 관건은 속도입니다.

성패에 대해 의견이 분분하다.

그 정책의 성패에 대해 의견이 분분하다.

성패를 가늠하기 어렵다.

아직은 성패를 가늠하기 어렵습니다.

성패에 사활을 걸다.

그는 이번 프로젝트의 성패에 사활을 걸었다.

Word Family

Nouns

성공 (Success)

실패 (Failure)

승패 (Victory/Defeat)

결과 (Result)

Verbs

성공하다 (To succeed)

실패하다 (To fail)

결정하다 (To decide)

Adjectives

성공적이다 (To be successful)

실패한 (Failed)

성과 (Performance)

업적 (Achievement)

성적 (Grade)

결실 (Fruit/Result)

판가름 (Judgment/Outcome)

How to Use It

frequency

High in formal contexts (news, business), low in casual daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

축구 경기의 성패 → 축구 경기의 승패
Use '승패' for games/battles where there is a winner and a loser.
오늘 요리의 성패 → 오늘 요리의 결과
Using '성패' for cooking is too formal/dramatic for casual contexts.
성패를 축하합니다 → 성공을 축하합니다
You don't congratulate 'success and failure' together.
그는 성패했다 → 그는 성공했다 / 실패했다
'성패' is only a noun. It cannot be used as a verb with '-하다'.
성패가 있다/없다 → 성패가 갈리다 / 결정되다
Outcomes don't 'exist' or 'not exist'; they are 'decided' or 'divided'.

Tips

Use with '의'

Always specify what the success/failure belongs to using '의', like '사업의 성패' or '작전의 성패'.

Pairs with '좌우하다'

Memorize the phrase '성패를 좌우하다' as a single unit. It's used everywhere in business.

Neutral Tone

Use '성패' when you want to remain objective before a result is known.

News Headlines

Look for '성패' in news headlines about government policies to see how it's used to frame importance.

Particle Choice

Use '-가' when something 'depends on' (달려 있다) and '-를' when you 'decide' or 'analyze' it.

Professionalism

Replacing '성공할지 실패할지' with '성패' instantly makes your Korean sound more professional.

Korean Mindset

Understand that '성패' reflects a society that values clear results and accountability.

Aspiration

Listen for the strong 'P' sound. It's the key to identifying the word in fast speech.

Essay Structure

In an essay, use '성패의 요인' to structure your body paragraphs.

Binary Outcome

Think of it as a light switch: On (성) or Off (패). The switch itself is the '성패'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'S' in Seong (Success) and 'P' in Pae (Painful Failure). Seong-Pae covers both.

Visual Association

Imagine a coin flipping in the air. While it's in the air, you are talking about its '성패'. One side is a trophy (성), the other is a broken shield (패).

Word Web

성공 실패 결과 좌우하다 달려있다 관건 기로 운명

Challenge

Write three sentences about a famous historical event using the word '성패'. Focus on what 'determined' (좌우했다) the outcome.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja). It combines two primary characters to form a compound noun representing a spectrum of outcomes.

Original meaning: 成 (To become/succeed) + 敗 (To rot/fail/defeat). Original meaning: The state of being completed or ruined.

Sino-Korean vocabulary.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it casually to describe someone's personal life failures as it can sound overly harsh or clinical.

English speakers often say 'make or break' or 'success or failure'. '성패' is the direct equivalent but used more as a formal noun.

Used in Korean history books to describe the '성패' of the Imjin War. Commonly found in titles of business self-help books in Korea. Frequently used in presidential speeches regarding economic policy.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meetings

사업의 성패
성패를 좌우하는 요인
성패 분석
성패가 달려 있다

News Reports

정책의 성패
회담의 성패
성패가 갈리다
성패를 지켜보다

Sports Commentary

시즌의 성패
감독의 성패
성패의 열쇠
전술의 성패

Academic Writing

혁명의 성패
개혁의 성패
성패의 원인
성패를 논하다

Self-Improvement

인생의 성패
공부의 성패
성패에 연연하지 마라
성패의 교훈

Conversation Starters

"이번 프로젝트의 성패가 무엇에 달려 있다고 생각하세요?"

"과거의 실패가 현재의 성패에 어떤 영향을 주었나요?"

"새로운 사업의 성패를 어떻게 예측할 수 있을까요?"

"인생에서 성패보다 더 중요한 것은 무엇일까요?"

"정부의 새로운 정책의 성패에 대해 어떻게 보시나요?"

Journal Prompts

최근에 내가 한 일의 성패를 분석해보고 그 원인을 적어보세요.

나에게 있어 '인생의 성패'란 무엇을 의미하는지 서술하세요.

성패를 떠나서 도전했던 경험에 대해 이야기해 보세요.

성패가 불확실한 상황에서 결정을 내려야 했던 순간을 회상해 보세요.

미래의 나의 성패를 좌우할 가장 중요한 습관은 무엇인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

They are very similar. '성공 여부' literally means 'whether it succeeds or not' and is more factual. '성패' is a single noun meaning 'success and failure' and sounds slightly more formal or literary. In most business contexts, they can be used interchangeably.

Usually, no. For a single match, use '승패' (victory or defeat). Use '성패' for a coach's career or a team's season goal.

No, '성패하다' does not exist. You must use it as a noun with verbs like '좌우하다', '결정하다', or '달려 있다'.

Rarely. If you use it while talking about a small task like 'the success or failure of making ramen,' it sounds like you are being overly dramatic or funny.

It means the outcome has been decided—one side succeeded and the other failed, or the moment that separates success from failure has occurred.

You say '성패의 열쇠' or '성패의 관건'.

No. You cannot congratulate 'success and failure.' You should say '성공을 축하해' (congratulations on your success).

Yes, it is very common in written Korean and formal broadcasts.

There isn't a direct opposite noun, but '과정' (process) is often contrasted with it.

Not necessarily. It just refers to the result, regardless of the odds.