올바르다 (ol-ba-reu-da, olbareuda) · 잘못되다 (jal-mos-doe-da, jalmosdoeda)
‘올바르다’ describes morally or logically correct states, while ‘잘못되다’ indicates something is wrong or incorrect.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Refers to morally, ethically, or logically correct states.
When to use
Moral judgment, Ethical behavior, Logical conclusion, Correct attitude
The nuance
Used when actions, thoughts, or judgments conform to social norms or logic.
Indicates something is incorrect, inaccurate, or has failed/errors.
When to use
Error occurrence, Wrong outcome, Failed attempt, Inaccurate information
The nuance
Used when results or conditions do not meet expectations or contain errors.
그의 도덕적 판단은 항상 올바르다.
geu-ui do-deok-jeok pan-dan-eun hang-sang ol-ba-reu-da., geu ui do deok jeok pan dan eun hang sang ol ba reu da.
‘올바르다’ is correct because it expresses a morally right judgment.
그의 도덕적 판단은 항상 잘못되다.
geu-ui do-deok-jeok pan-dan-eun hang-sang jal-mos-doe-da., geu ui do deok jeok pan dan eun hang sang jal mos doe da.
‘잘못되다’ is inappropriate for moral judgment; ‘옳지 않다’ fits better.
컴퓨터에 오류가 생겨 프로그램이 잘못되었다.
keom-pyu-teo-e o-ryu-ga saeng-gyeo peu-ro-geu-raem-i jal-mos-doe-eoss-da., keom pyu teo e o ryu ga saeng gyeo peu ro geu raem i jal mos doe eoss da.
‘잘못되다’ fits as it indicates error and failure.
컴퓨터에 오류가 생겨 프로그램이 올바르다.
keom-pyu-teo-e o-ryu-ga saeng-gyeo peu-ro-geu-raem-i ol-ba-reu-da., keom pyu teo e o ryu ga saeng gyeo peu ro geu raem i ol ba reu da.
‘올바르다’ does not fit error situations.
그의 태도는 매우 올바르다.
geu-ui tae-do-neun mae-u ol-ba-reu-da., geu ui tae do neun mae u ol ba reu da.
‘올바르다’ is correct for describing a proper attitude.
그의 태도는 매우 잘못되다.
geu-ui tae-do-neun mae-u jal-mos-doe-da., geu ui tae do neun mae u jal mos doe da.
‘잘못되다’ is unnatural for describing attitude.
결과가 잘못되어 다시 시도해야 한다.
gyeol-gwa-ga jal-mos-doe-eo da-si si-do-hae-ya han-da., gyeol gwa ga jal mos doe eo da si si do hae ya han da.
‘잘못되다’ correctly indicates wrong or failed results.
결과가 올바라서 다시 시도해야 한다.
gyeol-gwa-ga ol-ba-ra-seo da-si si-do-hae-ya han-da., gyeol gwa ga ol ba ra seo da si si do hae ya han da.
Misspelled ‘올바르다’ and illogical context.
Which word to use for morally right action?
Appropriate expression when a program has an error?
Which word to use for a logically correct conclusion?
