Korean word

문명

Pronunciation

Romanizationmunmyeong

Meaning

  • nouncivilization

Example

고대 문명의 유적을 발견했다.ko dae mun myeong ui yu jeo geul pal gyeon haet tta

I discovered the ruins of an ancient civilization.

Illustration for 문명 (civilization)

More examples

현대 문명 덕분에 생활이 편리해졌다.hyeon dae mun myeong teok ppu ne saeng hwa ri pyeol li hae jeot tta

Thanks to modern civilization, life has become more convenient.

Core concept

An entire society reaches a developed stage where systems, skills, and culture shape everyday life.

Common phrases

  • 고대 문명ko dae mun myeong

    ancient civilization

  • 현대 문명hyeon dae mun myeong

    modern civilization

  • 문명 생활mun myeong saeng hwal

    civilized life

Similar words

문화munhwa: The shared habits, arts, ideas, and traditions that shape a community's everyday life.
사회sahoe: A human community whose members live together and organize their relationships and responsibilities.
기술kisul: A useful method, tool, or system created by applying knowledge and experience.
역사yeokssa: A record and study of events that happened in the past.

Definition in Korean

사회가 조직과 기술, 문화 면에서 발달하여 생활 방식과 제도가 자리잡은 상태.sa hoe ga cho jik kkwa ki sul mun hwa myeo ne seo pal dal ha yeo saeng hwal pang sik kkwa che do ga cha ri ja beun sang tae

Word origin

The Sino-Korean compound combines ideas of writing and culture with brightness and clarity, evoking the knowledge and order associated with a developed society.

Usage tips

  • It can describe a historical stage or a society as a whole, but a single invention, building, or custom alone is not a civilization.

Opposites

  • 야만yamanbarbarismnoun
  • 미개migaeprimitivenessnoun

Word lists with this word