Phrase in 30 Seconds
Describes someone with a powerful sense of self-respect who refuses to be belittled or compromise their dignity.
- Means: To have a strong sense of pride or ego.
- Used in: Describing personality traits, reactions to insults, or refusal to ask for help.
- Don't confuse: Do not confuse with {自尊感|자존감} (self-esteem), which is purely internal and positive.
适合你水平的解释：
意思
To possess a firm sense of self-respect and dignity.
文化背景
Rooted in 'Seonbi' (scholar) culture, where maintaining one's dignity despite poverty was the highest virtue. In hierarchical offices, a subordinate with 'strong pride' is often seen as difficult to manage, leading to 'Gapjil' (abuse of power) conflicts. The 'Tsundere' character often has '{自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}하다,' hiding their true feelings behind a wall of pride. While Western cultures emphasize 'Self-Esteem' (internal), East Asian cultures traditionally emphasize 'Pride/Face' (relational).
Positive Spin
In a job interview, use '자존심' to show you care about the quality of your work (professional pride).
Negative Nuance
If you say '걔는 자존심만 강해' (He only has strong pride), it means he has no actual skills to back it up.
Positive Spin
In a job interview, use '자존심' to show you care about the quality of your work (professional pride).
Negative Nuance
If you say '걔는 자존심만 강해' (He only has strong pride), it means he has no actual skills to back it up.
The 'Too' Rule
Always use '너무' (too) if you want to criticize someone's pride, and '워낙' (originally) if you're just describing their nature.
The Apology Gap
In Korea, the person with 'stronger pride' often wins the social waiting game, but loses the relationship.
自我测试
Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank.
그는 _____이 강해서 남에게 도움을 청하는 것을 싫어한다.
The context of 'hating to ask for help' points to 'pride' (자존심).
Complete the dialogue using the correct form of '자존심이 강하다'.
A: 왜 민수랑 아직도 화해 안 했어? B: 내가 먼저 연락하고 싶은데, 내 ( ) 허락하지 않아.
The phrase '내 자존심이 허락하지 않아' (My pride won't allow it) is a set expression.
Match the situation to the correct nuance of '자존심이 강하다'.
Situation: An artist refuses to change their painting style just to sell more copies.
Maintaining artistic integrity is a positive use of the phrase.
Fill in the blank with the correct adjective form.
자존심이 ( ) 사람과 대화할 때는 말조심을 해야 합니다.
We need the noun-modifying form (adnominal) to describe '사람' (person).
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
자존심 (Pride) vs 자존감 (Self-Esteem)
练习题库
5 练习그는 _____이 강해서 남에게 도움을 청하는 것을 싫어한다.
The context of 'hating to ask for help' points to 'pride' (자존심).
A: 왜 민수랑 아직도 화해 안 했어? B: 내가 먼저 연락하고 싶은데, 내 ( ) 허락하지 않아.
The phrase '내 자존심이 허락하지 않아' (My pride won't allow it) is a set expression.
Situation: An artist refuses to change their painting style just to sell more copies.
Maintaining artistic integrity is a positive use of the phrase.
자존심이 ( ) 사람과 대화할 때는 말조심을 해야 합니다.
We need the noun-modifying form (adnominal) to describe '사람' (person).
🎉 得分： /5
常见问题
5 个问题It depends. It's a compliment for a professional or someone standing up for their rights, but a criticism for someone being stubborn in a relationship.
Yes, but usually to explain a difficulty, like 'I'm too proud to ask for help.'
There isn't one direct word, but '겸손하다' (to be humble) or '자존감이 낮다' (to have low self-esteem) are often used in contrast.
Because Korean social dynamics often revolve around 'Face' and hierarchy, making pride a major source of conflict.
No. Arrogance (거만) is looking down on others. Strong pride (자존심) is about protecting yourself from being looked down upon.
相关表达
{自尊心|자존심}을 {세|세}우다
similarTo assert one's pride.
{自尊感|자존감}이 {高|높}다
similarTo have high self-esteem.
{自負心|자부심}을 {感|느}끼다
specialized formTo feel professional pride.
{콧|콧}대가 {高|높}다
idiomTo be stuck-up.
在哪里用
Refusing an apology
A: 민수한테 사과했어?
B: 아니, 걔는 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 내가 먼저 사과해도 안 받을 거야.
Job Interview
Interviewee: 저는 제 일에 대한 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 완벽하게 끝내려고 노력합니다.
Interviewer: 그 점이 우리 회사와 잘 맞겠군요.
After a breakup
Friend: 전 남친한테 연락해 봐.
B: 싫어. 내 {自尊心|자존심}이 허락하지 않아.
Refusing help
A: 돈 좀 빌려줄까?
B: 아니야, 괜찮아. 걔 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 그런 말 들으면 기분 나빠할걸.
Sports Competition
Coach: 상대 팀이 강하지만, 우리 선수들도 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 쉽게 지지 않을 겁니다.
Social Media Comment
User1: 이 연예인은 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 악플에도 눈 하나 깜짝 안 하네.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of a **JA**nt (Giant) with a **ZON**e (Zone) around his **SIM** (Heart) that is **GANG** (Strong). No one can enter his zone!
视觉联想
Imagine a person wearing a shiny, unbreakable suit of armor. People are throwing small pebbles (criticisms) at them, but the armor (pride) reflects everything back. The person stands tall and refuses to bend their knees.
Rhyme
자존심이 강해 (Jajonsimi ganghae), 절대 안 변해 (Jeoldae an byeonhae) - 'Pride is strong, never changes.'
Story
Min-su was offered a free meal by a rich bully. Even though Min-su was starving, his {自尊心|자존심} was too {强|강} (strong). He looked the bully in the eye, said 'No thanks,' and walked away with his head held high. He preferred a hungry stomach over a wounded ego.
In Other Languages
In English, we say someone is 'too proud' or 'has a big ego.' In Japanese, 'プライドが高い' (Pride is high) is almost a direct equivalent.
Word Web
挑战
Try to describe a character from your favorite K-drama using this phrase. Write 3 sentences explaining why their {自尊心|자존심} is {强|강}하다.
Review on Day 1, 3, 7. Focus on the difference between 자존심 (external/ego) and 자존감 (internal/worth).
发音
Standard pronunciation.
The 'h' is often weak between vowels.
正式程度
그분은 {自尊心|자존심}이 매우 {强|강}하십니다. (Describing someone's personality)
그는 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해요. (Describing someone's personality)
걔는 {自尊心|자존심}이 진짜 {强|강}해. (Describing someone's personality)
걔 {自尊心|자존심} 쩔어. (Describing someone's personality)
The phrase is a combination of the Sino-Korean noun {自尊心|자존심} (Self-Respect-Heart) and the native Korean adjective {强|강}하다 (to be strong). It entered common usage during the modernization of the Korean language in the early 20th century as psychological terms were standardized.
趣味小知识
In North Korea, this phrase is often used in political propaganda to describe the 'National Pride' of the people against foreign influence.
文化笔记
Rooted in 'Seonbi' (scholar) culture, where maintaining one's dignity despite poverty was the highest virtue.
“The saying 'A scholar does not warm himself at a fire of rice straws' (even if freezing, he keeps his dignity).”
In hierarchical offices, a subordinate with 'strong pride' is often seen as difficult to manage, leading to 'Gapjil' (abuse of power) conflicts.
“A boss might try to 'break' a newcomer's pride to ensure obedience.”
The 'Tsundere' character often has '{自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}하다,' hiding their true feelings behind a wall of pride.
“The male lead in 'Boys Over Flowers' or 'Secret Garden'.”
While Western cultures emphasize 'Self-Esteem' (internal), East Asian cultures traditionally emphasize 'Pride/Face' (relational).
“The shift from 'Face' to 'Self-worth' in modern Korean psychology books.”
对话开场白
본인이 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}한 편이라고 생각하세요?
친구랑 싸웠을 때 먼저 사과하는 편인가요, 아니면 {自尊心|자존심} 때문에 기다리는 편인가요?
{自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}한 사람의 장점은 무엇일까요?
常见错误
자존감이 강하다
자존감이 높다 / 자존심이 강하다
L1 Interference
자존심이 크다
자존심이 강하다 / 세다
L1 Interference
자존심을 강하다
자존심이 강하다
L1 Interference
Using it only negatively.
Recognizing positive contexts.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Tener mucho amor propio / Ser orgulloso
Korean distinguishes between internal self-worth and external pride more sharply.
Avoir de l'amour-propre / Être fier
Korean '{自尊心|자존심}' is more about the 'heart' ({心|심}) and social face.
Stolz sein / Ein ausgeprägtes Ehrgefühl haben
German focuses on 'honor' (Ehre), while Korean focuses on the 'self' (자존).
プライドが高い (Puraido ga takai)
Japanese uses the loanword 'Pride,' while Korean uses the Hanja-based '{自尊心|자존심}.'
عزة النفس (Izzat al-nafs)
Arabic 'Izzat al-nafs' is almost always positive, whereas Korean can be negative (stubbornness).
自尊心强 (Zìzūnxīn qiáng)
Very little difference; perhaps slight variations in modern slang usage.
Ter muito brio / Ser orgulhoso
Korean uses one phrase to cover the spectrum from honor to ego.
To be prideful / To have a strong ego
English 'pride' is often a sin or a celebration; Korean '{自존심|자존심}' is a personality trait.
Spotted in the Real World
“내 자존심, 소신... 그런 거 다 포함한 게 내 가치야.”
The protagonist explains why he won't kneel to his enemy just to save his business.
“쓸데없는 자존심 때문에...”
A song about how pride gets in the way of love.
容易混淆
Both start with 'Jajon' and relate to the self.
Jajon-SIM (Heart/Ego) is defensive; Jajon-GAM (Feeling/Sense) is stable and internal.
Both involve feeling 'strong' about oneself.
Confidence is about 'I can do it'; Pride is about 'I am someone who shouldn't be ignored.'
常见问题 (5)
It depends. It's a compliment for a professional or someone standing up for their rights, but a criticism for someone being stubborn in a relationship.
usage contextsYes, but usually to explain a difficulty, like 'I'm too proud to ask for help.'
practical tipsThere isn't one direct word, but '겸손하다' (to be humble) or '자존감이 낮다' (to have low self-esteem) are often used in contrast.
basic understandingBecause Korean social dynamics often revolve around 'Face' and hierarchy, making pride a major source of conflict.
cultural usageNo. Arrogance (거만) is looking down on others. Strong pride (자존심) is about protecting yourself from being looked down upon.
comparisons
