Korean word

본능

Pronunciation

Romanizationponneung

Meaning

  • nouninstinct

Example

그는 본능을 억누를 수 없었다.keu neun pon neung eul eong nu reul ssu eop sseot tta

He couldn't suppress his instinct.

Illustration for 본능 (instinct)

More examples

위급한 상황에선 본능이 먼저 반응했다.wi geu pan sang hwang e seon pon neung i meon jeo pa neung haet tta

In an emergency, instinct was the first to react.

Core concept

An automatic response built into a living being instead of learned through practice.

Common phrases

  • 본능을 억누르다pon neung eul eong nu reu da

    suppress instinct

  • 본능에 따르다pon neung e tta reu da

    follow instinct

  • 본능을 자극하다pon neung eul cha geu ka da

    stimulate instinct

Similar words

직감chikkkam: A quick judgment that comes from a feeling rather than careful thought.
충동chungdong: A strong temporary urge that is difficult to hold back.
습관seupkkwan: A repeated way of acting that becomes automatic over time.
성향seonghyang: A general leaning that guides how a person, group, or thing tends to act or change.

Definition in Korean

타고난 성질이나 자동적으로 나타나는 반응이나 행동을 가리키는 말이다.ta go nan seong ji ri na cha dong jeo geu ro na ta na neun pa neung i na haeng dong eul ka ri ki neun ma ri da

Word origin

The Sino-Korean formation 본능 (bonneung, "instinct") joins 본 (bon, "root") and 능 (neung, "ability") to suggest a natural ability present from the beginning.

Usage tips

  • This word helps distinguish a natural reaction from a habit, which develops through repeated practice.

Opposites

Related words

  • 본능적ponneungjeokinstinctiveadjective
  • 본능적으로ponneungjeogeuroinstinctivelyadverb
  • 본능성ponneungseonginstinctivenessnoun

Word lists with this word