검색
geomsaek[ˈkɘ(ː)msʰɛk̚]
The Korean word for "search" is 검색 (geomsaek).
검색 is most commonly used in the context of searching for information on the internet or in a database.
Meaning: (followed by "for") to look thoroughly (verb)
Which one should you use?
There are different ways to express searching depending on the context. 검색 (or its verb form 검색하다) refers to a systematic search (like a web search). In contrast, 찾다 is the more general and common verb used for looking for physical objects or people. For a more colloquial sense of "digging around" or "going through" information, you might use 뒤지다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 검색 becomes the verb 검색하다 (to search) by adding the verb-forming suffix -하다.
How do you pronounce it?
geomsaek
Did you know?
- The word 뒤지다, used for searching or digging through something, also means 'to die' in a very crude or slangy way. Context is essential to avoid a dark misunderstanding.
- The word 검색 contains the character 索, which also appears in words related to 'rope' or 'cord' in other East Asian contexts. This suggests the original concept of a search involved 'tracing' or 'pulling' a thread to find something.
- When Koreans talk about 'searching' for a specific person's identity or background online, they often use the slang term 구글링 which is a loanword from 'Googling'.
Examples in context
- 저는 레시피를 검색하고 있어요.I am searching for recipes.
- 제가 지갑을 찾고 있어요.I am searching for my wallet.
- 인터넷에서 뒤지면 알 수 있을 거야.You can find out if you dig around on the internet.
- 인터넷에서 정보를 검색해요.inteoneseseo jeongboreul geomsaekhaeyo.I search for information on the internet.
- 그 키워드로 다시 검색해 보세요.geu kiwodeuro dasi geomsaekhae boseyo.Please search for it again using that keyword.
- 새로운 맛집을 검색 중이에요.saeroun matjibeul geomsaek jung-ieyo.I am searching for a new good restaurant.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyeon are looking for a specific recipe online.
- 민지 Min-ji이 레시피를 검색해 봤어요?i resipireul geomsaekhae bwasseoyo?Did you search for this recipe?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 민지 씨. 방금 검색했어요.ne, Minji ssi. banggeum geomsaekhaesseoyo.Yes, Minji. I just searched for it.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 그럼 검색 결과가 어때요?Dohyeon ssi, geureom geomsaek gyeolgwaga eottaeyo?Dohyeon, so how are the search results?
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 좋은 정보가 많아요.jeongmal joeun jeongboga manayo.There is a lot of great information.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 검색, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 검색, CC BY-SA 4.0.
