At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '자본' (jabon) very often. Instead, you will mostly use the word '돈' (don), which means money. '자본' is a more difficult word that you will see in newspapers or books. However, it is good to know that '자본' is related to starting a business. If you are playing a game about making money, you might see this word. Just remember: '돈' is for buying ice cream, but '자본' is for starting a big company. You can think of it as 'business money.' You might hear someone say '자본이 필요해요' which means 'I need capital/money for my business.' At this stage, just recognize that it is a formal way to talk about money used for a purpose.
At the A2 level, you are beginning to learn more formal words. '자본' (jabon) is one of those words. You might encounter it when reading simple stories about people starting businesses or in basic news for learners. You should understand that '자본' is the 'base money' you need for something. For example, if you want to open a small cafe, the money you saved to buy the coffee machine and pay the rent is your '자본.' You can use it in simple sentences like '자본이 많아요' (There is a lot of capital) or '자본이 없어요' (There is no capital). It is also used in the word '자본주의' (jabon-ju-ui), which means 'capitalism,' a word you might hear in basic social studies or news.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use '자본' (jabon) in specific contexts like business, economics, or when discussing social issues. You should distinguish it from '돈' (money) and '자금' (funds). '자본' refers to the wealth used to create more wealth. You will see it in phrases like '자본을 투자하다' (to invest capital) or '초기 자본' (initial capital). This is a common word in the 'Miracle on the Han River' context or when discussing South Korea's economic growth. You should also be aware of metaphorical uses, such as '인적 자본' (human capital), which refers to a person's skills and education. You can now use this word to describe the financial health of a company or a startup venture.
At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of '자본' in various professional and academic settings. You should be familiar with compound terms like '자본금' (capital stock), '자본 이득' (capital gains), and '자본 잠식' (capital impairment). You will hear this word in debates about economic inequality or the role of '자본가' (capitalists) in society. You should be able to use '자본' to discuss complex ideas, such as how '사회적 자본' (social capital) like trust and networking can influence a person's career. Your ability to use '자본' instead of '돈' in formal reports or presentations will significantly increase the perceived level of your Korean proficiency. You should also understand the historical weight of the word in Korean history.
At the C1 level, '자본' becomes a tool for deep structural analysis. You should be able to discuss the 'logic of capital' (자본의 논리) and its impact on culture and environment. You will encounter this word in high-level literature, economic journals, and philosophical texts. For instance, you might analyze how '문화 자본' (cultural capital) creates social classes or how '자본의 유동성' (liquidity of capital) affects global markets. You should be comfortable using the word in its most abstract forms and understanding the subtle differences between '자본,' '자산,' and '부채' in a balance sheet context. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's role in the global financial system and its sociopolitical implications.
At the C2 level, your mastery of '자본' (jabon) should be indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. you can engage in sophisticated academic discourse regarding '자본론' (Marx's Capital) or the '신자유주의적 자본' (neoliberal capital). You understand the word's etymological roots in Hanja and how that influences its usage in modern legal and financial codes. You can use '자본' to explain intricate economic phenomena like '자본 생산성' (capital productivity) or '자본 집약적 산업' (capital-intensive industry). You are also sensitive to the word's use in political rhetoric and can navigate the connotations it carries in different ideological contexts. At this level, '자본' is not just a word, but a complex concept that you can manipulate with precision and nuance.

자본 em 30 segundos

  • 자본 (Jabon) means 'capital'—the resources used to build wealth.
  • It is a formal term used in business, economics, and sociology.
  • It differs from 'money' (돈) because it implies a productive purpose.
  • Commonly seen in terms like 'capitalism' (자본주의) and 'investment' (투자).

The Korean word 자본 (Jabon) is a fundamental term in the realms of economics, business, and social science. At its core, it translates to 'capital' in English. However, its usage extends far beyond just money in a bank account. It represents the foundational resources—financial, physical, or even social—that are necessary to produce wealth, start an enterprise, or sustain an economic system. In a traditional sense, when you hear a Korean entrepreneur talk about their 'jabon,' they are referring to the seed money or the equity they have gathered to launch their dream. But in modern Korean discourse, you might also encounter it in phrases like '인적 자본' (human capital) or '사회적 자본' (social capital), reflecting a broader understanding of what constitutes a 'source' of value.

Economic Foundation
In economic contexts, 자본 refers to the assets used in the production of goods or services. This includes machinery, buildings, and the financial base of a corporation.
Social Context
Beyond finance, it describes the intangible assets like knowledge (intellectual capital) or relationships (social capital) that provide an advantage in society.

회사를 설립하기 위해서는 막대한 자본이 필요합니다. (To establish a company, a huge amount of capital is required.)

Historically, the word is rooted in Hanja (Sino-Korean characters), where '자' (資) means resources or assistance, and '본' (本) means root or origin. This literal 'root of resources' perfectly encapsulates why this word is used for the starting point of any business venture. In South Korea's rapid development history, known as the 'Miracle on the Han River,' the strategic management of '자본' was a central theme in national policy and corporate strategy. You will encounter this word in news headlines discussing '자본 시장' (capital markets), '자본주의' (capitalism), and '자본 확충' (capital expansion). It is a word that carries weight, implying a long-term investment rather than just a temporary sum of money.

그는 자신의 지식을 무형의 자본으로 활용했다. (He utilized his knowledge as intangible capital.)

Political Philosophy
Karl Marx's famous work 'Das Kapital' is translated into Korean as '자본론' (Theory of Capital), which is a mandatory reference in Korean academic discussions about society.

In everyday conversation, while '돈' (money) is more common, '자본' appears when discussing serious financial planning, investments, or the structural health of a business. If a business is failing because it spent all its starting money, a Korean might say '자본이 바닥났다' (The capital has run dry). Understanding this word is key to grasping how Koreans view wealth not just as something to spend, but as something to build and leverage for the future.

Using 자본 correctly requires an understanding of its role as a noun that often pairs with specific verbs like 'invest,' 'gather,' 'increase,' or 'lack.' Because it is a formal and technical term, it is frequently used in written reports, news articles, and professional settings. However, it is not uncommon in daily speech when the topic turns to entrepreneurship or the economy.

With Investment Verbs
자본을 투자하다 (to invest capital), 자본을 투입하다 (to inject capital). These are used when putting resources into a project.
With Accumulation Verbs
자본을 축적하다 (to accumulate capital), 자본을 모으다 (to gather capital). Used when building up the necessary base for a business.

외국인 자본이 국내 시장에 대거 유입되었습니다. (Foreign capital has flowed into the domestic market in large quantities.)

When discussing the status of a company, '자본' often appears in compound words. For example, '자본금' refers to the legal capital or paid-in capital of a company. If you are describing someone who has a lot of resources, you might call them a '자본가' (capitalist). In a more metaphorical sense, if someone is very talented, you might say their talent is their '자본' for success.

그 스타트업은 초기 자본 확보에 어려움을 겪고 있다. (That startup is having difficulty securing initial capital.)

Negative Situations
자본이 잠식되다 (capital impairment), 자본이 부족하다 (lack of capital). These describe financial distress.

In summary, '자본' is the word you choose when you want to sound professional and precise about financial resources. While '돈' is about the currency itself, '자본' is about the power and potential that money holds when organized for a purpose.

You will hear 자본 most frequently in environments where money is treated as a tool or a system rather than just a medium of exchange. This includes news broadcasts, business meetings, university lectures, and even popular culture when it deals with themes of wealth and power.

News and Media
Financial news segments (경제 뉴스) are filled with the word '자본.' Phrases like '자본 유출' (capital flight) or '자본 확충' (capital increase) are daily staples in reports about the stock market or national economy.
Business and Startups
In the bustling startup hubs of Gangnam or Pangyo, founders talk about 'VC 자본' (Venture Capital) and '시드 자본' (Seed Capital) when pitching to investors.

오늘 뉴스에서는 자본 시장의 변동성에 대해 다루었습니다. (Today's news covered the volatility of the capital market.)

In Korean dramas (K-Dramas), especially those focusing on 'Chaebols' (large family-owned conglomerates), '자본' is often used to emphasize the sheer scale of a family's power. A character might say, '자본의 힘으로 해결해' (Solve it with the power of capital), implying that their vast resources can overcome any obstacle. This highlights the word's association with influence and structural power.

현대 사회에서 정보는 중요한 자본이 됩니다. (In modern society, information becomes important capital.)

Academic Lectures
In sociology or economics classes, you will hear '문화적 자본' (cultural capital), a term popularized by Pierre Bourdieu, referring to the social assets of a person (education, intellect, style of speech).

Whether you are reading a textbook, watching a high-stakes corporate drama, or listening to a podcast about stock investing, '자본' is the essential vocabulary word that connects money to the broader structures of society and business.

While 자본 is a B1-level word, its technical nature leads to several common pitfalls for English speakers. The most frequent mistake is using it interchangeably with other 'money' words like '돈' (don), '자금' (jageum), or '자산' (jasan) without considering the nuance.

자본 vs. 돈
Mistake: '지갑에 자본이 없어요' (I have no capital in my wallet). Correct: '지갑에 돈이 없어요.' Use '자본' for business/investment contexts, not for pocket money.
자본 vs. 자금
Mistake: Using '자본' for a specific, temporary fund. '자금' (funds) is for a specific purpose (e.g., travel funds, operating funds). '자본' is the underlying equity.

Incorrect: 이번 여행 자본이 부족해요. (Wrong context for 'capital')
Correct: 이번 여행 자금이 부족해요. (Right context for 'funds')

Another error is confusing '자본' with '자산' (assets). '자산' includes everything a company owns, including debt. '자본' specifically refers to the net worth or equity—the owner's portion. Using '자본' when you mean the total value of a house (which is an 'asset') can lead to confusion in financial discussions.

그 회사는 자본보다 부채가 더 많습니다. (That company has more debt than capital.)

Lastly, learners often forget that '자본' can be used metaphorically. However, they might over-apply it. While you can say '지적 자본' (intellectual capital), you wouldn't say '사랑 자본' (love capital). Use it for things that can be 'invested' or 'leveraged' for a return.

To truly master 자본, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in register and usage. Korean has many words for wealth and resources, and choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about personal cash, business equity, or total belongings.

자금 (Jageum) - Funds
Focuses on money available for a specific task. Example: '운용 자금' (operating funds). Unlike '자본,' '자금' is usually liquid cash.
자산 (Jasan) - Assets
The total value of everything owned. 자산 = 자본 (Equity) + 부채 (Liabilities). Use this when talking about the total scale of wealth.
밑천 (Mitcheon) - Seed Money / Foundation
A more native Korean (pure Korean) word. It feels less formal than '자본' and is often used for the starting resources of a small shop or even a metaphorical 'base' for a skill.

장사를 시작할 밑천이 필요해요. (I need seed money to start a business.)

When comparing '자본' to '재산' (property/wealth), '재산' is much more personal. You talk about your family's '재산' (house, car, savings). You talk about a corporation's '자본.' If you want to sound academic or discuss economic systems, '자본' is the only choice. For example, you would never say '재산주의' for capitalism; it is always '자본주의.'

그는 막대한 자본을 바탕으로 시장을 장악했다. (He dominated the market based on his massive capital.)

In professional translation, '자본' is strictly 'Capital.' If you see 'Equity' in a financial statement, it is also '자본.' If you see 'Funds,' it is likely '자금.' Keeping these distinctions clear will make your Korean sound much more sophisticated and precise.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /t͡sa.bon/
US /t͡sɑ.boʊn/
Stress is usually equal on both syllables, but the first syllable '자' can be slightly longer [자ː본] in careful speech.
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing '자' as 'cha' (too aspirated).
  • Pronouncing '본' as 'bun' (like bread).

Exemplos por nível

1

회사는 자본이 필요해요.

The company needs capital.

자본 (noun) + 이 (subject particle)

2

그는 자본이 많아요.

He has a lot of capital.

많아요 (to be many/much)

3

자본은 돈이에요.

Capital is money.

은 (topic particle) + 이에요 (to be)

4

우리 아빠는 자본을 모아요.

My dad gathers capital.

을 (object particle) + 모아요 (to gather)

5

자본이 없어서 힘들어요.

It's hard because there's no capital.

없어서 (because there is none)

6

이것은 작은 자본입니다.

This is a small capital.

입니다 (formal 'to be')

7

자본을 주세요.

Please give me capital.

주세요 (please give)

8

자본이 중요해요.

Capital is important.

중요해요 (to be important)

1

사업을 하려면 자본이 있어야 해요.

To do business, you must have capital.

-려면 (in order to) + 있어야 해요 (must have)

2

그 가게는 자본이 부족해요.

That shop lacks capital.

부족해요 (to be insufficient)

3

친구와 함께 자본을 모았어요.

I gathered capital together with a friend.

함께 (together) + 모았어요 (past tense of gather)

4

한국은 자본주의 국가입니다.

Korea is a capitalist country.

자본주의 (capitalism) + 국가 (country)

5

초기 자본은 얼마나 필요합니까?

How much initial capital is needed?

초기 (initial) + 얼마나 (how much)

6

그는 자본을 투자하고 싶어 해요.

He wants to invest capital.

-고 싶어 해요 (wants to do something - 3rd person)

7

자본을 잃으면 안 돼요.

You must not lose the capital.

-면 안 돼요 (must not)

8

새로운 자본이 들어왔어요.

New capital has come in.

들어왔어요 (came in)

1

벤처 자본을 유치하는 것이 목표입니다.

The goal is to attract venture capital.

유치하는 것 (attracting) + 목표 (goal)

2

그 기업은 자본을 확충하기 위해 주식을 발행했다.

The company issued stocks to expand its capital.

확충하기 위해 (in order to expand) + 발행했다 (issued)

3

인적 자본에 대한 투자가 미래를 결정합니다.

Investment in human capital determines the future.

~에 대한 (about/towards) + 결정합니다 (determines)

4

이 프로젝트는 막대한 자본이 투입되었습니다.

A huge amount of capital was injected into this project.

막대한 (huge/massive) + 투입되었습니다 (was injected)

5

자본의 효율적인 운영이 중요합니다.

Efficient management of capital is important.

효율적인 (efficient) + 운영 (management/operation)

6

그는 자본을 바탕으로 성공을 거두었다.

He achieved success based on his capital.

~을 바탕으로 (based on)

7

외국 자본이 시장을 장악하고 있습니다.

Foreign capital is dominating the market.

장악하고 있습니다 (is dominating)

8

자본의 흐름을 파악해야 합니다.

You must understand the flow of capital.

흐름 (flow) + 파악해야 합니다 (must understand)

1

자본 잠식 상태에 빠진 회사를 살려야 합니다.

We must save the company that has fallen into a state of capital impairment.

자본 잠식 (capital impairment) + 상태 (state)

2

자기 자본 비율을 높이는 것이 시급한 과제입니다.

Increasing the capital adequacy ratio is an urgent task.

자기 자본 (equity/own capital) + 시급한 (urgent)

3

사회적 자본이 풍부한 공동체는 위기에 강합니다.

Communities rich in social capital are strong in crises.

사회적 자본 (social capital) + 풍부한 (rich/abundant)

4

자본 시장의 변동성이 커지고 있습니다.

The volatility of the capital market is increasing.

변동성 (volatility) + 커지고 있습니다 (is getting bigger)

5

그들은 자본의 논리에 따라 움직입니다.

They move according to the logic of capital.

~에 따라 (according to) + 논리 (logic)

6

자본 이득에 대한 세금이 인상될 예정입니다.

Taxes on capital gains are scheduled to be increased.

자본 이득 (capital gains) + 인상될 예정 (scheduled to be raised)

7

그 기업은 자본 구조를 개선하기 위해 노력하고 있다.

The company is working to improve its capital structure.

구조 (structure) + 개선하기 위해 (to improve)

8

지적 자본은 현대 기업의 핵심 경쟁력입니다.

Intellectual capital is the core competitiveness of modern companies.

지적 자본 (intellectual capital) + 경쟁력 (competitiveness)

1

자본의 축적이 불평등을 심화시킨다는 비판이 있다.

There is criticism that the accumulation of capital deepens inequality.

축적 (accumulation) + 심화시킨다 (to deepen/aggravate)

2

문화적 자본은 계층 이동의 보이지 않는 장벽이 된다.

Cultural capital becomes an invisible barrier to social mobility.

계층 이동 (social mobility) + 장벽 (barrier)

3

금융 자본의 세계화는 국가 간의 경계를 허물고 있다.

The globalization of financial capital is breaking down borders between nations.

세계화 (globalization) + 허물고 있다 (is breaking down)

4

자본 집약적 산업에서 기술 혁신은 필수적입니다.

Technological innovation is essential in capital-intensive industries.

자본 집약적 (capital-intensive) + 필수적 (essential)

5

그 학자는 자본의 순환 과정을 심도 있게 분석했다.

The scholar analyzed the cycle of capital in depth.

순환 과정 (cycle/circulation process) + 심도 있게 (in depth)

6

자본의 재배분은 사회 정의 실현의 핵심입니다.

The redistribution of capital is key to realizing social justice.

재배분 (redistribution) + 실현 (realization)

7

투기적 자본의 유입은 부동산 가격 거품을 조장한다.

The influx of speculative capital fosters real estate price bubbles.

투기적 (speculative) + 조장한다 (to foster/encourage - negative)

8

자본의 속성은 끊임없는 자기 증식에 있다.

The nature of capital lies in continuous self-proliferation.

속성 (nature/property) + 자기 증식 (self-proliferation)

1

후기 자본주의 사회에서 자본은 모든 가치의 척도가 되었다.

In late-capitalist society, capital has become the measure of all value.

후기 자본주의 (late capitalism) + 척도 (measure/yardstick)

2

자본의 논리가 생태계의 보존보다 우선시되는 현실이 안타깝다.

It is regrettable that the logic of capital is prioritized over the preservation of the ecosystem.

우선시되는 (being prioritized) + 안타깝다 (to be regrettable)

3

지식 기반 경제에서 무형 자본의 가치는 기하급수적으로 증가한다.

In a knowledge-based economy, the value of intangible capital increases exponentially.

무형 자본 (intangible capital) + 기하급수적으로 (exponentially)

4

자본의 편중 현상은 민주주의의 근간을 위협할 수 있다.

The phenomenon of capital concentration can threaten the foundations of democracy.

편중 현상 (concentration phenomenon) + 근간 (foundation)

5

그 논문은 자본의 역사적 변천 과정을 통찰력 있게 다루었다.

The paper insightfully covered the historical transition of capital.

변천 과정 (transition process) + 통찰력 있게 (insightfully)

6

자본의 유동성은 세계 경제의 불안정성을 가중시키는 요인이기도 하다.

The liquidity of capital is also a factor that aggravates the instability of the global economy.

유동성 (liquidity) + 가중시키는 (aggravating)

7

인적 자본의 고도화는 국가 경쟁력 확보의 관건입니다.

The advancement of human capital is the key to securing national competitiveness.

고도화 (advancement/sophistication) + 관건 (key/crucial point)

8

자본의 도덕적 책임에 대한 사회적 합의가 절실히 요구된다.

A social consensus on the moral responsibility of capital is urgently required.

사회적 합의 (social consensus) + 절실히 (urgently/desperately)

Colocações comuns

자본을 투자하다
자본을 확충하다
자본이 잠식되다
자본을 유치하다
자본을 축적하다
자본을 투입하다
자본이 부족하다
자본을 회수하다
자본을 조달하다
자본이 유출되다

Frases Comuns

초기 자본

— Initial capital needed to start a project.

초기 자본이 얼마나 드나요?

자기 자본

— One's own capital (equity).

자기 자본 비율이 높아야 안전하다.

외국 자본

— Foreign capital/investment.

외국 자본에 대한 의존도가 높다.

인적 자본

— Human capital (skills/education).

인적 자본을 개발하는 것이 중요하다.

사회적 자본

— Social capital (networks/trust).

사회적 자본이 신뢰를 만든다.

자본 시장

— Capital market (stock/bond market).

자본 시장이 활기를 띠고 있다.

자본 이득

— Capital gains from investments.

자본 이득에 세금이 붙는다.

무형 자본

— Intangible capital (IP, brand).

브랜드 가치는 중요한 무형 자본이다.

자본 잠식

— Capital impairment (negative equity).

그 회사는 완전 자본 잠식 상태다.

자본 논리

— The logic of capital/profit.

모든 것이 자본의 논리로 돌아간다.

Expressões idiomáticas

"자본을 대다"

— To provide the necessary funds for someone.

그는 내 사업에 자본을 대 주었다.

Neutral
"자본이 달리다"

— To be short of necessary funds.

자본이 달려서 더 이상 못 하겠다.

Neutral
"밑천이 드러나다"

— To run out of resources or show one's lack of skill.

공부를 안 하니 금방 밑천이 드러났다.

Informal/Metaphorical
"자본의 노예"

— A slave to capital (someone obsessed with money).

우리는 자본의 노예가 되어서는 안 된다.

Critical
"자본을 굴리다"

— To manage and grow capital through investment.

그는 자본을 굴려 큰 부자가 되었다.

Neutral
"자본이 피와 같다"

— Capital is like blood (essential for a company).

기업에게 자본은 피와 같은 존재다.

Formal
"자본을 잠식하다"

— To eat away at the capital base.

계속되는 적자가 자본을 잠식하고 있다.

Formal
"자본의 힘"

— The power of capital/wealth.

그는 자본의 힘을 빌려 정치에 입문했다.

Neutral
"시드 자본"

— Seed capital (loan word usage).

시드 자본을 확보하는 것이 급선무다.

Business
"황금 자본"

— Golden capital (referring to prime resources).

그는 황금 자본을 손에 쥐었다.

Literary
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