Korean word

성질

Pronunciation

Romanizationseongjil

Meaning

  • nounproperty

Example

물질마다 성질이 다르다.mul jjil ma da seong ji ri ta reu da

Each material has different properties.

Illustration for 성질 (property)

More examples

그는 성질이 급해서 참지 못한다.keu neun seong ji ri keu pae seo cham ji mo tan da

Because he is short-tempered, he cannot tolerate things.

Core concept

An inherent feature that helps explain how a thing behaves or responds.

Common phrases

  • 성질이 급하다seong ji ri keu pa da

    quick temper

Similar words

성격seonggyeok: The broad pattern of a person's thoughts, feelings, and actions that makes up their personality.
기질kijil: A natural emotional and behavioral tendency present from birth.
특성teuksseong: A distinctive quality that helps define a person, object, or phenomenon.
성향seonghyang: A leaning toward a particular kind of behavior, change, or direction.

Definition in Korean

물질이 지닌 물리적·화학적 특성이나 사람이 보이는 행동·반응의 경향 등 어떤 대상의 고유한 특질을 이르는 말.mul jji ri chi nin mul li jeok hwa hak jjeok teuk sseong i na sa ra mi po i neun haeng dong pa neung ui kyeong hyang teung eo tteon tae sang ui ko yu han teuk jji reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

성질 (seongjil, "inherent trait") is a Sino-Korean compound joining 성 (seong, "nature") and 질 (jil, "quality") to express an inherent quality.

Usage tips

  • For a person, this word often highlights a behavioral tendency or typical reaction rather than describing the whole personality.

Other meanings

  • temperamentnoun

Opposites

  • 차분함chabunhamcomposurenoun
  • 온화onhwamildnessnoun

Related words

  • 성질머리seongjilmeoritemperamentnoun

Word lists with this word