참석하다 vs 출석하다: Participation vs Attendance

참석하다 (cham-seok-ha-da, chamseokhada) · 출석하다 (chul-seok-ha-da, chulseokhada)

참석하다 emphasizes participating in official events or meetings, while 출석하다 stresses physically being present at places like school or work.

Comparison of Korean words 참석하다 and 출석하다 for participation and attendance

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

참석하다(cham-seok-ha-da, chamseokhada)

To participate in official meetings or events

When to use

meeting participation, wedding attendance, seminar participation

The nuance

참석하다 is used mainly for official and special events like meetings, seminars, or weddings, emphasizing active participation rather than mere presence.

출석하다(chul-seok-ha-da, chulseokhada)

To be physically present at a specified place like school or work

When to use

school class attendance, going to work, attendance check

The nuance

출석하다 refers to physically being present at a set time and place, such as attending school classes or going to work, emphasizing physical presence or attendance.

Real-world examples

  • 회의에 참석하다.

    hoe-ui-e cham-seok-ha-da., hoe ui e cham seok ha da.

    Meeting is an official event, so '참석하다' is appropriate.

  • 학교에 참석하다.

    hak-gyo-e cham-seok-ha-da., hak gyo e cham seok ha da.

    School emphasizes physical presence, so '출석하다' should be used.

  • 결혼식에 출석하다.

    gyeol-hon-sik-e chul-seok-ha-da., gyeol hon sik e chul seok ha da.

    Wedding is a formal event, so '참석하다' sounds natural; '출석하다' is inappropriate.

  • 수업에 출석하다.

    su-eop-e chul-seok-ha-da., su eop e chul seok ha da.

    Class requires physical presence at a set time and place, so '출석하다' is correct.

  • 세미나에 출석하다.

    se-mi-na-e chul-seok-ha-da., se mi na e chul seok ha da.

    Seminar is a formal event, so '참석하다' should be used; '출석하다' sounds odd.

  • 회사에 출석하다.

    hoe-sa-e chul-seok-ha-da., hoe sa e chul seok ha da.

    Going to work means physical attendance, so '출석하다' fits.

  • 회의에 출석하다.

    hoe-ui-e chul-seok-ha-da., hoe ui e chul seok ha da.

    Meeting emphasizes participation, so '참석하다' should be used; '출석하다' is unnatural.

  • 학교에 출석하다.

    hak-gyo-e chul-seok-ha-da., hak gyo e chul seok ha da.

    School checks attendance, so '출석하다' is correct.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word should you use when going to a wedding?

    결혼식에 가려면 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(gyeol-hon-sik-ega-ryeo-myeoneo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, gyeolhonsikegaryeomyeoneotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)
  2. Which word is correct to express physically being present in school class?

    학교 수업에 몸을 직접 두는 것을 표현할 때 어떤 단어가 맞나요?(hak-gyosu-eop-emom-euljik-jeopdu-neungeos-eulpyo-hyeon-halttaeeo-tteondan-eo-gamaj-na-yo?, hakgyosueopemomeuljikjeopduneungeoseulpyohyeonhalttaeeotteondaneogamajnayo?)
  3. You must ____ the seminar. What word fits the blank?

    세미나에 ____ 해야 합니다. 빈칸에 들어갈 말은?(se-mi-na-e____hae-yahap-ni-da.bin-kan-edeul-eo-galmal-eun?, seminae____haeyahapnida.binkanedeuleogalmaleun?)
  4. You must ____ the company every day. Which word fits?

    회사에 매일 ____ 해야 합니다. 빈칸에 알맞은 단어는?(hoe-sa-emae-il____hae-yahap-ni-da.bin-kan-eal-maj-eundan-eo-neun?, hoesaemaeil____haeyahapnida.binkanealmajeundaneoneun?)

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