B1 noun #4,500 most common 2 min read

과업

A task or piece of work that someone is responsible for completing.

gwaeop
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

A 과업 is a job you have to do. Think of it like homework or a project. You need to finish it to be successful.

In school or work, you have 과업. This means you have a specific goal to reach. It is a serious word for a task.

Using 과업 shows you are talking about professional duties. It is often used in business to describe projects that take time and effort to complete.

The term 과업 carries a sense of duty. Native speakers use it when discussing project management or official responsibilities, distinguishing it from casual chores.

In advanced contexts, 과업 refers to the strategic execution of objectives. It implies a structured approach to work and is common in corporate or governmental reports.

The usage of 과업 reflects a deep cultural emphasis on duty and completion. It is a formal, precise term that highlights the weight and significance of the work assigned to an individual or group.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • A formal word for a task or mission.
  • Commonly used in business and academic settings.
  • Often paired with '수행하다' (to perform) or '완수하다' (to complete).
  • Not suitable for casual conversation.

When you hear the word 과업 (gwa-eop), think of it as more than just a simple to-do list item. It represents a significant task or a mission that carries weight.

In a professional setting, a manager might assign you a 과업 that is central to the team's success. It implies that you are not just doing busy work, but fulfilling a necessary step toward a larger goal.

The word 과업 is a Sino-Korean word. It is composed of 과 (課), meaning 'duty' or 'lesson,' and 업 (業), meaning 'work' or 'business.'

Historically, this term was used to describe official duties assigned by the state or academic requirements for scholars. Over time, it evolved into a standard term for any structured assignment or professional responsibility in modern Korean society.

You will mostly encounter 과업 in formal, business, or academic environments. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation between friends.

Common collocations include 과업을 수행하다 (to carry out a task) or 과업을 완수하다 (to complete a task). Use this word when you want to sound professional and emphasize the importance of the work being done.

While 과업 itself is a formal noun, it appears in several professional expressions.

  • 과업 수행: Execution of tasks.
  • 과업 지향적: Task-oriented.
  • 과업 완수: Completion of a mission.
  • 과업 목표: Task objective.
  • 핵심 과업: Core task or primary responsibility.

과업 is a noun and does not have plural forms in Korean. It is often paired with verbs like 하다 (to do) or 수행하다 (to perform).

Pronunciation tip: The 'gwa' is pronounced like 'gwah' and 'eop' sounds like 'up' with a soft 'p' ending. It is a standard noun used without specific articles.

Fun Fact

It was historically used to describe the curriculum of scholars.

Pronunciation Guide

UK gwa-eop

Gwa (like 'gwah') - Eop (like 'up' with a soft p).

US gwa-eop

Gwa (like 'gwah') - Eop (like 'up' with a soft p).

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing 'gwa' as 'go'.
  • Hardening the 'p' at the end.
  • Missing the glottal stop between syllables.

Rhymes With

업 법 접 겁 협

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Formal but readable

Writing 3/5

Requires formal tone

Speaking 3/5

Formal register

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

일 하다 업무

Learn Next

수행하다 완수하다 목표

Advanced

사명 책무

Grammar to Know

Noun + 하다

과업을 하다

Sino-Korean Compounds

과 + 업

Formal Sentence Endings

과업을 수행합니다.

Examples by Level

1

과업을 시작해요.

Start the task.

Simple verb phrase.

1

과업이 많아요.

2

과업을 끝냈어요.

3

새로운 과업입니다.

4

과업을 확인하세요.

5

과업이 어렵습니다.

6

과업을 도와주세요.

7

과업을 기록하세요.

8

과업을 준비해요.

1

과업을 성공적으로 수행했습니다.

2

우리 팀의 주요 과업은 무엇입니까?

3

과업 완수를 위해 노력 중입니다.

4

과업의 우선순위를 정하세요.

5

그 과업은 매우 중요합니다.

6

과업 지향적인 태도가 필요합니다.

7

과업을 분담합시다.

8

과업 일정을 확인하세요.

1

이 프로젝트는 복잡한 과업을 포함합니다.

2

과업 수행 능력을 평가받았습니다.

3

우리는 과업을 기한 내에 마쳐야 합니다.

4

그는 과업을 완벽하게 처리했습니다.

5

과업의 범위를 명확히 합시다.

6

과업을 효율적으로 관리하는 방법입니다.

7

공동 과업을 위해 협력해야 합니다.

8

과업 달성도가 높습니다.

1

정부는 새로운 경제 과업을 발표했습니다.

2

과업의 복잡성으로 인해 시간이 더 필요합니다.

3

우리는 도전적인 과업에 직면해 있습니다.

4

그의 과업은 회사의 성장에 기여했습니다.

5

과업 중심의 조직 문화가 정착되었습니다.

6

과업의 성격에 따라 전략을 수정하세요.

7

모든 과업은 체계적으로 관리됩니다.

8

과업 완수를 위한 자원을 확보하십시오.

1

본 과업은 고도의 전문성을 요구합니다.

2

과업의 본질을 파악하는 것이 중요합니다.

3

시대적 과업을 완수하는 것이 우리의 사명입니다.

4

과업의 수행 과정에서 많은 난관이 있었습니다.

5

그는 과업을 수행하는 데 탁월한 능력을 보였습니다.

6

과업의 우선순위 설정은 관리자의 핵심 역량입니다.

7

과업을 통해 조직의 목표를 달성하십시오.

8

과업의 결과는 향후 계획에 반영될 것입니다.

Common Collocations

과업을 수행하다
과업을 완수하다
핵심 과업
과업 지향적
과업 목표
과업을 분담하다
과업을 할당하다
과업을 검토하다
과업 일지
과업 달성

Idioms & Expressions

"과업을 완수하다"

To complete a task fully.

마침내 과업을 완수했습니다.

formal

"과업에 매진하다"

To focus entirely on a task.

그는 과업에 매진하고 있습니다.

formal

"과업을 부여받다"

To be assigned a task.

중요한 과업을 부여받았습니다.

formal

"과업을 처리하다"

To handle or process a task.

빠르게 과업을 처리합시다.

neutral

"과업을 완수하기 위해"

In order to complete the task.

과업을 완수하기 위해 최선을 다합니다.

neutral

"과업을 수행 중"

In the middle of performing a task.

현재 과업을 수행 중입니다.

neutral

Easily Confused

과업 vs 과제

Both are tasks.

과제 is for school/assignments, 과업 is for professional work.

학교 과제 vs 업무 과업.

과업 vs 업무

Both mean work.

업무 is general business, 과업 is a specific mission.

오늘 업무 vs 핵심 과업.

과업 vs 임무

Both imply a mission.

임무 is more like a military or special mission.

특수 임무 vs 프로젝트 과업.

과업 vs 일

Both mean work.

일 is very general, 과업 is formal.

할 일 vs 과업 수행.

Sentence Patterns

B1

Subject + 과업을 + 수행하다

팀이 과업을 수행합니다.

B1

Subject + 과업을 + 완수하다

그가 과업을 완수했습니다.

A2

과업이 + Adjective

과업이 어렵습니다.

B2

과업을 + 분담하다

과업을 분담합시다.

B2

과업의 + Noun

과업의 목표는 무엇입니까?

Word Family

Nouns

업무 Business/Work
과제 Assignment

Verbs

수행하다 To perform

Related

업 Root word for work

How to Use It

frequency

7

Formality Scale

Formal Professional Neutral Rarely Casual

Common Mistakes

Using '과업' for casual chores like washing dishes. → Use '집안일' instead.
'과업' is too formal for simple chores.
Confusing '과업' with '과제'. → Use '과제' for school assignments.
'과업' is more for professional work.
Pluralizing the word. → Just use '과업'.
Korean nouns don't change for plural.
Using '과업' as a verb. → Use '과업을 하다' or '과업을 수행하다'.
It is a noun, not a verb.
Using '과업' in a very intimate setting. → Use '일' or '할 것'.
It sounds robotic in casual talk.

Tips

💡

Use in Reports

Always use '과업' in formal business reports.

💡

Verb Pairing

Pair it with '수행하다' for professional tone.

💡

Contextual Learning

Read business news to see it in use.

💡

Sino-Korean Roots

Understanding '업' helps with other words like '직업'.

💡

Clear Syllables

Pronounce 'gwa' and 'eop' separately.

💡

Don't use for fun

Avoid using it for hobbies.

🌍

Professionalism

Using it shows you are serious about work.

💡

Visual Link

Link it to a 'Mission' icon.

💡

Flashcards

Use '과업 수행' on one side.

💡

Formal Context

Only use in professional or academic settings.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Gwa (Goal) + Eop (Up) = The goal is up, so I must finish my task!

Visual Association

A person checking off items on a professional clipboard.

Word Web

Duty Work Mission Goal

Challenge

Write down three things you need to do today as '과업'.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean

Original meaning: Lesson/Duty + Work

Cultural Context

None, it is a neutral formal term.

Equates to 'task', 'assignment', or 'mission'.

Used frequently in corporate mission statements.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • 과업을 수행하다
  • 과업을 완수하다
  • 과업 목표 설정

In university

  • 과업의 범위
  • 과업 제출
  • 과업 검토

In meetings

  • 핵심 과업
  • 과업 분담
  • 과업 일정

In planning

  • 과업 지향적
  • 과업 달성
  • 과업 우선순위

Conversation Starters

"오늘의 주요 과업은 무엇인가요?"

"과업을 완수하기 위해 어떤 전략을 쓰나요?"

"가장 어려운 과업은 무엇이었나요?"

"과업을 분담하는 것이 효율적인가요?"

"새로운 과업을 시작할 준비가 되었나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 수행한 가장 중요한 과업은 무엇인가요?

과업을 완수했을 때 어떤 기분이 드나요?

어려운 과업을 극복한 경험을 써보세요.

미래에 도전하고 싶은 과업은 무엇인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, 숙제 is for homework, 과업 is for professional work.

It is better to use '일' with friends.

수행하다 or 완수하다.

Yes, in business settings.

No, Korean nouns don't have plurals.

It sounds too formal; use '집안일' instead.

It is a Sino-Korean word.

It is neutral.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

나는 오늘 ___을 시작합니다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 과업

과업 is the correct noun for a task.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'to complete a task'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 과업을 완수하다

완수하다 means to finish/complete.

true false B1

Is '과업' a casual word?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is a formal word.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Match the term to its meaning.

sentence order B2

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

Subject + Object + Verb.

Score: /5

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