TOPIK · Level 237
15 words
Korean word
셈
Pronunciation
Romanizationsem
Meaning
- nouncalculation
Example
이 거래를 계속하면 결국 손해를 보는 셈이에요.i keo rae reul kye so ka myeon kyeol guk son hae reul po neun se mi e yo
If you keep this deal going, it means you will eventually lose money.
More examples
영수증을 보고 셈을 했다.yeong su jeung eul po go se meul haet tta
I looked at the receipt and did the calculation.
Core concept
A mental reckoning that weighs what is gained and lost before arriving at a judgment or expected outcome.
Common phrases
셈을 하다se meul ha da
do a calculation
셈이 맞다se mi mat tta
the figures add up
Similar words
계산kyesan: Adding numbers or prices gives an answer or total.
판단pandan: Using facts or information to reach a sound conclusion.
결정kyeoljeong: Choosing one option from several settles the matter.
Definition in Korean
어떤 행동이나 상황을 따져 보아 이익과 손해를 비교한 뒤 내리는 판단이나 견적을 뜻하는 말.eo tteon haeng dong i na sang hwang eul tta jeo po a i ik kkwa son hae reul pi gyo han twi nae ri neun pan da ni na kyeon jeo geul tteu ta neun mal
Word origin
The word is a native Korean noun related to the verb meaning to count, and the idea of counting extended naturally to reckoning a balance, judgment, or expected result.
Usage tips
- English speakers may first expect a math meaning, but this noun can also frame a conclusion about what a situation amounts to and, in some patterns, an intended course of action.
Other meanings
- accountnoun
- intentionnoun
Related words
- 셈법sembeopcalculation methodnoun
- 셈치다semchidacount asverb