Korean word

경쟁

Pronunciation

Romanizationkyeongjaeng

Meaning

  • nouncompetition

Example

대학 입시에 경쟁이 치열해요.tae hak ip ssi e kyeong jaeng i chi yeol hae yo

Competition is fierce in college admissions.

Illustration for 경쟁 (competition)

More examples

상품 가격이 내려가자 업계에서 경쟁이 더 심해졌다.sang pum ka gyeo gi nae ryeo ga ja eop kkye e seo kyeong jaeng i teo sim hae jeot tta

As product prices fell, competition in the industry became even fiercer.

Core concept

Several people or groups reach for the same limited prize or opportunity at once.

Common phrases

  • 시장 경쟁si jang kyeong jaeng

    market competition

  • 경쟁을 벌이다kyeong jaeng eul peo ri da

    engage in competition

  • 경쟁률이 높다kyeong jaeng nyu ri nop tta

    high competition rate

Similar words

경쟁자kyeongjaengja: A person or group that seeks the same goal and competes against others.
경쟁력kyeongjaengnyeok: The qualities or advantages that help a person or group compete successfully.
대결taegyeol: A direct contest in which two or more sides face each other to decide who wins.
내기naegi: A casual contest or game played for a bet or prize.

Definition in Korean

한정된 대상이나 기회를 차지하려고 여러 사람이나 집단이 서로 맞붙는 상태.han jeong doen tae sang i na ki hoe reul cha ji ha ryeo go yeo reo sa ra mi na chip tta ni seo ro mat ppun neun sang tae

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean compound whose two classical Chinese roots mean to contend and to dispute, together expressing people vying for something limited.

Usage tips

  • In school, sports, and job searches, competition can be healthy or stressful, so the word does not by itself mean that anyone is behaving badly.

Opposites

Related words

  • 경쟁률kyeongjaengnyulcompetition ratenoun
  • 경쟁심kyeongjaengsimcompetitive spiritnoun
  • 경쟁자kyeongjaengjacompetitornoun

Word lists with this word