요령 있는
yoryeong inneun
The English word savvy can be translated into Korean as 요령 있는 (yoryeong inneun).
요령 있는 is used to describe someone who is resourceful, clever or knows the best way to handle a situation efficiently.
Meaning: well-informed and perceptive (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun 요령 (yoryeong), meaning 'knack' or 'know-how' and the verb 있는 (inneun), meaning 'to have'. Literally, it means 'having knack/know-how'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase ends in the adjective-modifying form –는, it must be followed by a noun to describe a person or thing, such as 요령 있는 사람 (a savvy person).
How do you pronounce it?
yoryeong inneun
Did you know?
- Korean uses the word 눈치 (nunchi) to describe a specific type of social savvy, referring to the intuitive ability to read a room and sense others' moods.
- The word 요령 (yoryeong) is derived from Chinese characters, where the first character 要 means 'essential' and the second 領 means 'command' or 'neck'.
- In a professional setting, instead of using 요령 있는, Koreans often use the word 노하우 (nohau), which is the English word 'know-how' transliterated into Korean script.
Examples in context
- 알뜰하게 지출을 관리하다.To manage expenses in a savvy way.
- 그는 능수능란한 전문가입니다.He is a savvy expert.
- 그는 정말 요령 있는 사람이에요.geuneun jeongmal yoryeong inneun saramieyo.He is a really savvy person.
- 업무 처리가 아주 요령 있는 편이에요.eommu cheoriga aju yoryeong inneun pyeonieyo.His way of handling work is quite savvy.
- 그녀는 요령 있는 방식으로 문제를 해결했어요.geunyeoneun yoryeong inneun bangsigeuro munjereul haegyeolhaesseoyo.She solved the problem in a savvy way.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new employee's performance.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 신입 사원 어때요?Jihun ssi, sinip sawon eottaeyo?Jihun, how is the new employee?
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 요령 있는 사람이라서 좋아요.Jeongmal yoryeong inneun saramiraseo joayo.He is a very savvy person, so it's great.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그렇군요. 업무 적응이 빠르겠어요.Geureokun-yo. Eommu jeogeungi ppareugesseoyo.I see. He must adapt to the work quickly.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 센스가 아주 넘쳐요.Ne, senseuga aju neomchyeoyo.Yes, he has a lot of intuition.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 요령, CC BY-SA 4.0.
