Korean word

소설

Pronunciation

Romanizationsoseol

Meaning

  • nounnovel

Example

나는 어제 재미있는 소설을 읽었어.na neun eo je chae mi in neun so seo reul il geo sseo

I read an interesting novel yesterday.

Illustration for 소설 (novel)

More examples

이번에는 단편 소설을 추천할게.i beo ne neun tan pyeon so seo reul chu cheon hal kke

This time, I'm going to recommend a short story.

Core concept

A literary work that develops a full narrative by linking characters, events, and their changing circumstances.

Common phrases

  • 단편 소설tan pyeon so seol

    short story

  • 장편 소설chang pyeon so seol

    full-length novel

  • 소설을 읽다so seo reul ik tta

    read a novel

Similar words

이야기iyagi: An account or exchange shared between people through speech or writing.
단편소설tanpyeonsoseol: A short fictional prose work with a complete, self-contained plot.
장편소설changpyeonsoseol: A long fictional prose work that develops characters and events in depth.

Definition in Korean

사건과 인물의 흐름을 글로 전개하여 하나의 이야기를 이루는 문학 작품.sa geon gwa in mu rui heu reu meul keul lo cheon gae ha yeo ha na ui i ya gi reul i ru neun mun hak chak pum

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean borrowing whose earlier sense of lesser tales developed into the modern literary sense of fictional narrative.

Usage tips

  • The word is broader than the English category novel because it can cover different lengths and forms of fictional prose.

Other meanings

  • fictionnoun

Opposites

  • 논픽션nonpikssyeonnonfictionnoun
  • 실화silhwatrue storynoun

Related words

  • 소설가soseolganovelistnoun
  • 소설집soseoljipcollection of fictionnoun
  • 소설화soseolhwanovelizationnoun

Word lists with this word