성격
seonggyeok[ˈsʰɘ(ː)ŋk͈jʌ̹k̚]
The Korean word for personality is 성격 (seonggyeok).
성격 refers to the set of qualities that make a person distinct from others. To describe someone's character, you can use the phrase 성격이 좋다 to say they have a good personality or are easygoing or 성격이 나쁘다 to describe someone with a difficult or unpleasant personality.
Meaning: set of qualities that make a person distinct from other people (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 성격 as the subject of a sentence, such as when saying 'his personality is…', you attach the subject marker '이' to form 성격이.
How do you pronounce it?
seonggyeok
Did you know?
- When describing a 'clash of personalities', Koreans use the word 궁합, which originally refers to the astrological compatibility of a couple.
- The term 성격 차이, meaning 'personality difference', is one of the most common official reasons cited for divorce in South Korea.
- In Korean, if you say someone's 성격이 세다, it does not mean they have a 'strong' personality in a positive way, but rather that they are headstrong or assertive.
Examples in context
- 성격도 좋은 데다가 얼굴도 잘생겼어!He had a good personality and handsome too!This sentence shows how to describe someone having a good personality with the word 성격.Tatoeba #10272875 by LeeSooHa, translation #10272886 by LeeSooHa
- 저 눈 안 높아요. 저는 그냥 성격 좋은 사람이면 다 좋아요.I’m not picky. Anyone who has a good personality is fine for me.This sentence uses the word 성격 to express a preference for people with a good personality.Tatoeba #8804462 by whykels, translation #8804469 by whykels
- 여러분의 인격은 매우 감명적입니다.Your personality is very impressive.
- 그 사람은 성격이 정말 밝아요.geu sarameun seonggyeogi jeongmal balkayo.That person has a very bright personality.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new coworker.
- 수빈 Su-bin새로 온 직원은 어때요?saero on jikwoneun eottaeyo?How is the new employee?
- 도현 Do-hyeon성격이 정말 밝고 좋아요.seonggyeogi jeongmal balkgo joayo.His personality is very bright and good.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이네요. 같이 일하기 편하겠어요.dahaeng-ineyo. gachi ilhagi pyeonhagesseoyo.That's a relief. It will be easy to work with him.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 수빈 씨도 좋아할 거예요.ne, subin ssido joahal geoyeyo.Yes, you will like him too, Subin.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 성격, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
