Korean word

과장

Pronunciation

Romanizationkwajang

Meaning

  • nounexaggeration

Example

그 이야기는 과장이다.keu i ya gi neun kwa jang i da

That story is an exaggeration.

Illustration for 과장 (exaggeration)

More examples

인터뷰에서 그의 말에는 과장이 느껴졌다.in teo byu e seo keu ui ma re neun kwa jang i neu kkyeo jeot tta

I could sense exaggeration in what he said during the interview.

Core concept

A statement that stretches facts or feelings beyond their real size.

Common phrases

  • 과장 발언kwa jang pa reon

    exaggerated statement

  • 과장 표현kwa jang pyo hyeon

    exaggerated expression

Similar words

허풍heopung: Boastful talk that makes achievements or stories sound greater than they really are.
허세heose: Showy behavior meant to make someone seem more impressive than they really are.

Definition in Korean

어떤 사실이나 느낌을 실제보다 과도하게 부풀려서 표현하는 말.eo tteon sa si ri na neu kki meul sil je bo da kwa do ha ge pu pul lyeo seo pyo hyeon ha neun mal

Word origin

The exaggeration sense comes from the Sino-Korean formation meaning to boast and stretch, while the manager sense is a separate homophone with a different origin.

Usage tips

  • It can describe a dramatic retelling without claiming that every detail is false, so it is not the same as calling someone a liar.

Other meanings

  • managernoun

Opposites

  • 축소chukssounderstatementnoun
  • 과소평가kwasopyeonggaunderestimationnoun

Related words

  • 과장하다kwajanghadaexaggerateverb
  • 과장되다kwajangdoedabe exaggeratedverb
  • 과장스럽다kwajangseureopttaoverdramaticadjective

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