수정
sujeong[sʰud͡ʑʌ̹ŋ]
The English phrase 'crystal' can be translated into Korean as 수정 (sujeong) or 결정.
Meaning: mineral (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 수정 | sujeong | [sʰud͡ʑʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 결정 | gyeoljeong | [kjʌ̹ʎt͡ɕ͈ʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the term for crystal depends on whether you are discussing a specific mineral or a scientific structure. 수정 refers specifically to the mineral quartz or the gemstone, while 결정 refers to the general scientific concept of a crystal structure or crystalline form.
Which one should you use?
수정 is the mineralogical term used when you mean the gemstone or quartz. In contrast, 결정 is the scientific term used for any crystalline form or structure. You may also encounter the loanword 크리스탈, which is used as a casual way to refer to crystals.
How do you pronounce it?
sujeong
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful when using 수정, as it is a common homonym meaning 'correction' or 'edit' (such as revising a document).
Did you know?
- The word 수정 is a homonym that can also mean 'fertilization' in a biological context, such as the process of a sperm meeting an egg.
- The word 결정 can also mean 'decision' or 'determination', meaning the same word can describe a geometric shape or a human choice.
- The term 결정 for a crystal structure is composed of characters meaning 'knot' and 'crystal', evoking the image of a bound structure.
Examples in context
- 한 단어는 수정처럼 투명한 변하지 않는게 아니라 의미의 한 표현일 뿐이며 사용되는 상황과 시간에 따라서 매우 다양하게 변화 될수 있다.A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanging, it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in colour and content according to the circumstances and time in which it is used.This sentence uses 수정 to illustrate the metaphorical concept of a word being like a transparent, unchanging crystal.Tatoeba #1532994 by mysonhs, translation #906997 by Scott
- 나는 예쁜 수정을 모으는 취미가 있어.I have a hobby of collecting beautiful crystals.
- 이 부품은 크리스탈이 필요해.This component requires a crystal.
- 우리는 투명한 결정체로 둘러싸여 있는 것 같아.It feels like we are surrounded by transparent crystal structures.
- 이 상자 안에 빛나는 수정이 있어요.i sangja ane binnaneun sujeongi isseoyo.There is a shining crystal inside this box.
- 그는 작은 수정 조각을 선물했어요.geuneun jageun sujeong jogageul seonmulhaesseoyo.He gifted a small piece of crystal.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyun are looking at a jewelry store window.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 이 수정 목걸이 좀 보세요.Dohyun ssi, i sujeong mokgeolli jom boseyo.Dohyun, look at this crystal necklace.
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 정말 반짝이고 예쁘네요.wa, jeongmal banjjak-igo yeppeuneyo.Wow, it's really sparkling and pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon제가 정말 좋아하는 색이에요.jega jeongmal joahaneun saegieyo.It is a color I really like.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨에게 아주 잘 어울릴 것 같아요.Seoyeon ssi-ege aju jal eoulil geot gatayo.I think it would suit you very well, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crystal” translations and entries 수정, 결정, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 결정, 수정, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
