Korean word

현실

Pronunciation

Romanizationhyeonsil

Meaning

  • nounreality

Example

이제는 현실을 받아들여야 해.i je neun hyeon si reul pa da deu ryeo ya hae

Now I have to accept reality.

Illustration for 현실 (reality)

More examples

요즘은 현실에 적응하는 것이 우선이야.yo jeu meun hyeon si re cheo geung ha neun keo si u seo ni ya

These days, adapting to reality comes first.

Core concept

What is actually happening and the conditions people must deal with now.

Common phrases

  • 현실을 받아들이다hyeon si reul pa da deu ri da

    accept reality

  • 현실을 직시하다hyeon si reul chik ssi ha da

    face reality

  • 현실에 적응하다hyeon si re cheo geung ha da

    adapt to reality

Similar words

사실sasil: A confirmed fact about something that happened or is true.
실제silje: The concrete state of something as it exists or happens in real life.
상황sanghwang: The full set of conditions and background surrounding an event.
실상silsang: The true state of things beneath their outward appearance.

Definition in Korean

현실은 개인이나 사회가 현재 처한 실제 상황이나 조건을 가리킨다.hyeon si reun kae i ni na sa hoe ga hyeon jae cheo han sil je sang hwang i na cho geo neul ka ri kin da

Word origin

현실 (hyeonsil, "reality") is a Sino-Korean word formed from 현 (hyeon, "present") and 실 (sil, "real"), linking present conditions with what is real.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear reality as an abstract idea, but this Korean noun also fits reports and conversations about the concrete conditions behind a decision.

Other meanings

  • current situationnoun
  • actual circumstancesnoun
  • real lifenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 현실적hyeonsiljeokrealisticadjective
  • 현실감hyeonsilgamsense of realitynoun
  • 현실주의hyeonsiljuuirealismnoun

Word lists with this word