전공
jeon'gong[t͡ɕʌ̹nɡo̞ŋ]
The English phrase "college major" is translated into Korean as 전공 (jeon'gong).
전공 is the term used for the main subject a student studies in depth at a college or university. You can use the phrase 전공이 뭐예요? to ask someone, "What is your major?"
Which one should you use?
While 전공 refers to your major, the term 부전공 is used to describe a minor or a secondary field of study. Additionally, the word 학과 specifically refers to a university department or division, though it can sometimes be used interchangeably with "college major" depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 전공 can be turned into the verb 전공하다, which means "to major in".
How do you pronounce it?
jeon'gong
Did you know?
- Because 전공 is composed of the characters 專 ('specialty') and 攻 ('attack' or 'study'), the word literally implies 'attacking a specialty' with focused intensity.
- In Korean university culture, students often use the term 과잠 to refer to the 'department jacket' that displays their 전공 and university name.
- Be careful with pronunciation and context, as the exact same phonetic sounds 전공 can also mean 'electrician' or 'electrical work' if written with different characters.
Examples in context
- 제 전공은 경제학입니다.My major is Economics.
- 안녕하세요, 홍길동 이라고 합니다. 저의 전공은 공학입니다.Hello, my name is Hong Gildong. My major is Engineering.
- 내 전공은 영어야.My major is English.
- 전공이 무엇인가요?jeon-gong-i mu-eot-in-ga-yo?What is your major?
- 그는 미술을 전공해요.geu-neun mi-sul-eul jeon-gong-hae-yo.He majors in art.
Example conversation
Two university students are talking about their studies in a cafe.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 전공이 뭐예요?Su-bin ssi, jeon-gong-i mwo-ye-yo?Subin, what is your major?
- 수빈 Su-bin저는 경영학을 전공해요.jeo-neun gyeong-yeong-hak-eul jeon-gong-hae-yo.I major in business administration.
- 민준 Min-jun우와, 정말 멋지네요!u-wa, jeong-mal meot-ji-ne-yo!Wow, that is really cool!
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨 전공은 뭐예요?Min-jun ssi jeon-gong-eun mwo-ye-yo?What is your major, Minjun?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 전공, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 전공, CC BY-SA 4.0.
