단어(dan-eo, daneo)
The smallest independent unit of meaning in language
When to use
dictionary lookup, independent meaning, spacing unit
The nuance
단어 is a spacing unit that can stand alone with complete meaning or be found in a dictionary.
단어 vs 구 vs 문장: Comparing Basic Units of Korean Language
단어 (dan-eo, daneo) · 구 (gu) · 문장 (mun-jang, munjang)
단어 (word), 구 (phrase), and 문장 (sentence) are basic units in Korean language structure, each differing in meaning units and structural roles.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
구(gu)
A group of two or more words forming a meaningful unit but not a complete sentence
When to use
partial meaning unit, sentence part, incomplete subject-predicate
The nuance
A 구 consists of words performing a grammatical function but lacks a subject-predicate structure to be a full sentence.
문장(mun-jang, munjang)
A unit of speech with subject and predicate conveying a complete meaning
When to use
complete meaning, subject and predicate included, independent unit
The nuance
문장 includes subject and predicate and can independently convey complete meaning.
Real-world examples
사과는 빨갛다.
sa-gwa-neun ppal-gah-da., sa gwa neun ppal gah da.
It is a complete sentence with subject (사과) and predicate (빨갛다).
빨간 사과
ppal-gan sa-gwa, ppal gan sa gwa
A phrase formed by two words creating a meaningful unit, but not a full sentence.
사과
sa-gwa, sa gwa
A single word with independent meaning, found in dictionaries.
빨갛다 사과
ppal-gah-da sa-gwa, ppal gah da sa gwa
The word order is incorrect, so it is neither a natural phrase nor sentence.
나는 학교에 간다.
na-neun hak-gyo-e gan-da., na neun hak gyo e gan da.
It has subject (나) and predicate (간다), making it a complete sentence.
학교에 간다
hak-gyo-e gan-da, hak gyo e gan da
A sentence with omitted subject, still natural and complete.
간다 학교에
gan-da hak-gyo-e, gan da hak gyo e
Word order is unnatural, so it is neither a natural sentence nor phrase.
맛있는
mas-iss-neun, mas iss neun
A word functioning as an adjective with independent meaning.
Quick quiz
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
다음 중 완전한 문장인 것은?(da-eumjungwan-jeon-hanmun-jang-ingeos-eun?, daeumjungwanjeonhanmunjangingeoseun?)What does ‘빨간 사과’ represent?
‘빨간 사과’는 무엇에 해당하는가?(‘ppal-gansa-gwa’neunmu-eos-ehae-dang-ha-neun-ga?, ‘ppalgansagwa’neunmueosehaedanghaneunga?)What unit is ‘사과’?
‘사과’는 어떤 단위인가?(‘sa-gwa’neuneo-tteondan-wi-in-ga?, ‘sagwa’neuneotteondanwiinga?)What unit is ‘학교에 간다’?
‘학교에 간다’는 어떤 단위인가?(‘hak-gyo-egan-da’neuneo-tteondan-wi-in-ga?, ‘hakgyoeganda’neuneotteondanwiinga?)
More comparisons to explore
- 존댓말 vs 반말 vs 하오체: Korean Speech Style Comparison
- 남성어 vs 여성어 vs 중립어: Gendered Language Differences
- 표준어 vs 방언 vs 신조어: Mastering Korean Language Varieties
- Hanja Words vs Native Korean Words vs Loanwords: Mastering Korean Origins
- Subject vs Object vs Complement: Mastering Sentence Components
- 형용사 vs 부사 vs 조사: Differences and Uses of Korean Parts of Speech
- Hyun-jae vs Gwa-geo vs Mi-rae: Perfect Guide to Time Expressions
- 능동 vs 수동 vs 사역: Differences in Subject and Action