Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 모든 | modeun | [ˈmo̞(ː)dɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 전 | jeon | [t͡ɕʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
When you want to refer to every individual member of a specific class or group, use the determiner 모든. If you wish to emphasize the entirety or the whole of a single unit or set, use 전.
Which one should you use?
While both terms translate to 'all', they have different focuses. 모든 is used to highlight every individual member within a group. In contrast, 전 is typically used before a noun to emphasize the entirety or the whole of a specific thing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
모든 is a determiner and must be followed by a noun. 전 also functions as a determiner, typically placed before a noun to mean 'the whole' or 'the entire' of a specific thing. For a different grammatical function, the related form 전부 can act as a noun meaning 'the whole thing' or an adverb meaning 'completely'.
How do you pronounce it?
modeun
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 이 돈은 전부 네 거야?Is all this money yours?This sentence uses 전 to ask about the totality of the money.Tatoeba #13250350 by qiwiwi, translation #6863370 by CK
- 모든 메달은 양면이 있다.All medals have two faces.This sentence uses 모든 to describe a property held by every individual medal.Tatoeba #6687806 by rainbow4us, translation #2929517 by mervert1
- 그가 모든 책임을 맡았다.He took all the responsibilities.This sentence uses 모든 to describe every individual responsibility taken on.Tatoeba #7791974 by HappyMidnight, translation #7999745 by ciwlx
- 그들은 모든 사람들에게 선물을 줬어요.They gave gifts to all people.
- 이 책은 모든 학생들에게 필요해요.This book is necessary for all students.
- 우리 다 친구야!We're all friends!
- 다 먹었어.I ate it all.
- 이 옷들 전부 예쁘다.All these clothes are pretty.
- 게임 다 해봤는데 전부 어려워.I tried all the games, but they're all difficult.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are discussing their homework.
- 지훈 Ji-hun모든 숙제를 다 끝냈어요?modeun sukje-reul da kkeunnaesseoyo?Did you finish all the homework?
- 민지 Min-ji아니요, 아직 조금 남았어요.aniyo, ajik jogeum namasseoyo.No, I still have a little bit left.
- 지훈 Ji-hun어려운 문제는 없었나요?eoryeoun munjeneun eopseonnayo?Were there any difficult problems?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 거의 모든 문제가 어려웠어요.ne, geoui modeun munjega eoryeowosseoyo.Yes, almost all the problems were difficult.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “all” translations and entries 모든, 전, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 모든, 전, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
