순위
sunwi[ˈsʰu(ː)nɥi]
The English phrase 'ranking' can be translated into Korean as 순위 (sunwi) or 랭킹.
Meaning: placement in a list (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 순위 | sunwi | [ˈsʰu(ː)nɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈsʰu(ː)ny] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 랭킹 | raengking | [ɾɛŋcçiŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ɾe̞ŋcçiŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word refers to placement in a list. You can also create the term 순위권 by adding the suffix –권 to 순위, which refers to being within a certain rank or the 'top tier' of a list.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 순위 is composed of 순 (order/sequence) and 위 (position/rank).
Which one should you use?
In contrast, the loanword 랭킹 is commonly used in casual conversation, gaming and pop culture contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
sunwi
Did you know?
- In Korean pop music, the 'all-kill' is a specific type of 순위 achievement where a song reaches the number one spot on all major music charts simultaneously.
- Korean students often obsess over their 순위 in 'mock exams' to the point that a single rank difference can determine which university they apply to.
- The character 순 in 순위 shares its linguistic roots with the word 'order' or 'obey', implying a rank that follows a natural or set sequence.
Examples in context
- 이 학교는 학업 순위에서 매우 뛰어나다.This school ranks very high academically.
- 이 게임에서 내 랭킹은 상위 10%에 위치한다.My ranking in this game is in the top 10%.
- 사람들의 평가를 보면, 이 영화는 상위권에 속한다.Based on people's rankings, this movie belongs to the top tier.
- 이번 시험 순위가 어떻게 돼요?ibeon siheom sungwiga eotteoke dwaeyo?What is the ranking for this exam?
- 그 선수는 순위가 높아요.geu seonsu-neun sungwiga nop-ayo.That athlete has a high ranking.
- 현재 순위를 확인해 보세요.hyeonjae sungwireul hwaginhae boseyo.Please check the current ranking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ranking” translations and entries 순위, 랭킹, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 랭킹, 순위, CC BY-SA 4.0.
