장점 (jang-jeom, jangjeom) · 단점 (dan-jeom, danjeom) · 특징 (teuk-jing, teukjing)
장점 (advantages) and 단점 (disadvantages) express positive and negative aspects respectively, while 특징 (characteristics) describes unique attributes of something.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A good point or positive aspect of a person, thing, or situation
When to use
product advantages, person's strengths, service benefits
The nuance
Use 장점 to talk about positive traits or advantages. It must indicate something good and cannot be used for negative meanings.
A bad point or negative aspect of a person, thing, or situation
When to use
product flaws, person's weaknesses, service problems
The nuance
Use 단점 to describe negative traits or weaknesses. It must indicate something bad and cannot be used for positive meanings.
A unique quality or attribute that distinguishes a person, thing, or situation
When to use
animal appearance, product design, personality traits
The nuance
Use 특징 to describe unique attributes regardless of positive or negative connotation. It does not have to be a good or bad point.
이 제품의 장점은 가격이 저렴하다는 것입니다.
i je-pum-ui jang-jeom-eun ga-gyeok-i jeo-ryeom-ha-da-neun geos-ip-ni-da., i je pum ui jang jeom eun ga gyeok i jeo ryeom ha da neun geos ip ni da.
Being affordable is a positive trait, so using 장점 is correct.
이 사람의 단점은 매우 성실하다는 것입니다.
i sa-ram-ui dan-jeom-eun mae-u seong-sil-ha-da-neun geos-ip-ni-da., i sa ram ui dan jeom eun mae u seong sil ha da neun geos ip ni da.
Being diligent is positive, so 단점 cannot be used; 장점 should be used instead.
이 자동차의 특징은 연비가 좋다는 것입니다.
i ja-dong-cha-ui teuk-jing-eun yeon-bi-ga joh-da-neun geos-ip-ni-da., i ja dong cha ui teuk jing eun yeon bi ga joh da neun geos ip ni da.
Good fuel efficiency is a unique attribute of the car, so 특징 is appropriate.
그 회사의 단점은 제품이 너무 다양하다는 것입니다.
geu hoe-sa-ui dan-jeom-eun je-pum-i neo-mu da-yang-ha-da-neun geos-ip-ni-da., geu hoe sa ui dan jeom eun je pum i neo mu da yang ha da neun geos ip ni da.
Product variety is not negative, so 단점 is incorrect; 특징 or 장점 fits better.
그 사람의 장점은 친절하다는 것입니다.
geu sa-ram-ui jang-jeom-eun chin-jeol-ha-da-neun geos-ip-ni-da., geu sa ram ui jang jeom eun chin jeol ha da neun geos ip ni da.
Kindness is a positive personality trait, so 장점 is correct.
이 서비스의 장점은 고객 응대가 불친절하다는 것입니다.
i seo-bi-seu-ui jang-jeom-eun go-gaek eung-dae-ga bul-chin-jeol-ha-da-neun geos-ip-ni-da., i seo bi seu ui jang jeom eun go gaek eung dae ga bul chin jeol ha da neun geos ip ni da.
Unfriendliness is negative, so 장점 cannot be used; 단점 is correct.
이 제품의 단점은 무겁다는 것입니다.
i je-pum-ui dan-jeom-eun mu-geop-da-neun geos-ip-ni-da., i je pum ui dan jeom eun mu geop da neun geos ip ni da.
Heaviness is a negative trait of the product, so 단점 is correct.
When is it incorrect to use '장점'?
Which situation can be described using '특징'?
Which sentence does NOT fit the use of '단점'?
When should '장점' be used instead of '특징'?
