Korean word

본질

Pronunciation

Romanizationponjil

Meaning

  • nounessence

Example

문제의 본질을 이해하려고 노력했다.mun je ui pon ji reul i hae ha ryeo go no ryeo kaet tta

I tried to understand the essence of the problem.

Illustration for 본질 (essence)

More examples

겉치레가 아닌 본질을 따져야 한다.keot chi re ga a nin pon ji reul tta jeo ya han da

We should examine the essence rather than the trappings.

Core concept

The central nature that remains when surface features and small details are stripped away.

Common phrases

  • 문제의 본질mun je ui pon jil

    essence of the problem

  • 본질을 이해하다pon ji reul i hae ha da

    understand the essence

  • 본질을 간과하다pon ji reul kan gwa ha da

    overlook the essence

Similar words

핵심haekssim: The most important part of a matter or situation.
요점yojeom: The main idea that a speaker or writer wants to convey.

Definition in Korean

겉으로 드러난 특징이나 세부를 제외한 뒤에도 남아 있는 사물의 근본적인 속성keo teu ro teu reo nan teuk jjing i na se bu reul che oe han twi e do na ma in neun sa mu rui keun bon jeo gin sok sseong

Word origin

본질 (bonjil, "essence") is a Sino-Korean compound of 본 (bon, "foundation") and 질 (jil, "nature or substance"), linking a thing's basis with what it is.

Usage tips

  • This word is especially useful in essays and analysis because it presents a subject as something to examine beneath its visible details.

Other meanings

  • corenoun
  • main pointnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 본질적ponjiljeokessentialadjective
  • 본질적으로ponjiljeogeuroessentiallyadverb

Word lists with this word