성적
seongjeok[sʰʌ̹ŋd͡ʑʌ̹k̚]
The English word 'grade' can be translated into Korean as 성적 (seongjeok) or 점수.
Meaning: performance expressed by a number, letter, or other symbol (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 성적 | seongjeok | [sʰʌ̹ŋd͡ʑʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈsʰɘ(ː)ŋt͡ɕ͈ʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 점수 | jeomsu | [t͡ɕʌ̹ms͈u] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 성적 refers to an academic record or overall performance. For example, you can use the phrase 성적을 받다 to mean 'to receive a grade'. 점수 refers to a specific numerical score or a number of points. It is common to use the phrase 점수를 따다 to mean 'to earn points' or 'to score'.
Which one should you use?
성적 is used when referring to an overall academic record or performance, whereas 점수 refers to a specific numerical score or the number of points earned on a task or test.
How do you pronounce it?
seongjeok
Did you know?
- The word 성적 is a homonym with another word meaning 'sexual'. Depending on the context, 성적 can refer to either academic 'grades' or things related to 'sex'.
- The word 성적 uses the Chinese character 績, which originally referred to the act of weaving silk to measure the quality of the finished fabric.
- While English speakers 'make' a grade, a Korean speaker might use the verb 따다, which literally means 'to pick' or 'to pluck', like picking a fruit from a tree.
Examples in context
- 한국어 수업의 성적이 훌륭합니다.My grade in Korean class is excellent.
- 그녀는 반에서 가장 높은 성적을 받았습니다.She received the highest grade in the class.
- 수학 시험에서 높은 점수를 받았어.I got a high score on the math test.
- 영어 발표에서 몇 점을 받았어?What score did you get on the English presentation?
- 학점이 아주 좋네요!Your GPA is great!
- 어떤 성적을 받았어요?What grade did you get?
- 성적이 훌륭해서 축하해요!Congratulations on your excellent grade!
- 시험에서 몇 점 받았어요?What score did you get on the test?
- 이번 기말 성적이 아주 좋아요.ibeon gimal seongjeogi aju joayo.My final grade this time is very good.
- 성적을 확인하고 싶어요.seongjeogeul hwagin-hago sipeoyo.I want to check my grades.
- 성적이 어떻게 나왔어요?seongjeogi eotteoke nawasseoyo?How did your grades come out?
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their recent exam results.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 성적이 어떻게 나왔어요?Jihun ssi, seongjeogi eotteoke nawasseoyo?Jihun, how did your grades come out?
- 지훈 Ji-hun생각보다 성적이 낮아서 속상해요.saeng-gakboda seongjeogi najaseo soksang-haeyo.I am upset because my grades are lower than I thought.
- 서연 Seo-yeon너무 걱정하지 마세요.neomu geokjeong-haji maseyo.Please do not worry too much.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요, 서연 씨.Gomawoyo, Seoyeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grade” translations and entries 성적, 점수, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 성적, 점수, CC BY-SA 4.0.
