과제 vs 숙제: When to Use Each?

Real-world examples

• ⭕

  이번 과제는 회사에서 제출해야 해.

  i-beon gwa-je-neun hoe-sa-e-seo je-chul-hae-ya hae., i beon gwa je neun hoe sa e seo je chul hae ya hae.

  Refers to workplace task, so 과제 is correct.

• ❌

  이번 숙제는 회사에서 제출해야 해.

  i-beon suk-je-neun hoe-sa-e-seo je-chul-hae-ya hae., i beon suk je neun hoe sa e seo je chul hae ya hae.

  숙제 is for school study tasks, not workplace tasks.

• ⭕

  선생님이 숙제를 내주셨어요.

  seon-saeng-nim-i suk-je-reul nae-ju-syeoss-eo-yo., seon saeng nim i suk je reul nae ju syeoss eo yo.

  Homework assigned by teacher for home study, so 숙제 fits.

• ⭕

  선생님이 과제를 내주셨어요.

  seon-saeng-nim-i gwa-je-reul nae-ju-syeoss-eo-yo., seon saeng nim i gwa je reul nae ju syeoss eo yo.

  과제 can be used for official school assignments or projects.

• ❌

  나는 숙제를 회사에 제출했어요.

  na-neun suk-je-reul hoe-sa-e je-chul-haess-eo-yo., na neun suk je reul hoe sa e je chul haess eo yo.

  숙제 is for school homework, not for submission at work.

• ⭕

  나는 과제를 집에서 했어요.

  na-neun gwa-je-reul jip-e-seo haess-eo-yo., na neun gwa je reul jip e seo haess eo yo.

  과제 can be done at home if official task, so correct.

• ⭕

  학생들은 매일 과제를 해야 한다.

  hak-saeng-deul-eun mae-il gwa-je-reul hae-ya han-da., hak saeng deul eun mae il gwa je reul hae ya han da.

  과제 can mean official study tasks assigned at school.

• ⭕

  학생들은 매일 숙제를 해야 한다.

  hak-saeng-deul-eun mae-il suk-je-reul hae-ya han-da., hak saeng deul eun mae il suk je reul hae ya han da.

  숙제 is natural for daily homework students do at home.

1. Which word fits workplace tasks?

   회사 업무를 표현할 때 적절한 단어는?(hoe-saeop-mu-reulpyo-hyeon-halttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, hoesaeopmureulpyohyeonhalttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)
   • 과제(gwa-je, gwaje)
   • 숙제(suk-je, sukje)
   • 둘 다(dulda)
   • 아무 것도 아님(a-mugeos-doa-nim, amugeosdoanim)

2. What is homework done by students at home?

   학생이 집에서 하는 공부용 과제는?(hak-saeng-ijip-e-seoha-neungong-bu-yonggwa-je-neun?, haksaengijipeseohaneungongbuyonggwajeneun?)
   • 과제(gwa-je, gwaje)
   • 숙제(suk-je, sukje)
   • 둘 다(dulda)
   • 아무 것도 아님(a-mugeos-doa-nim, amugeosdoanim)

3. Official research project assigned at school?

   학교에서 공식적으로 주어진 연구 프로젝트는?(hak-gyo-e-seogong-sik-jeok-eu-roju-eo-jinyeon-gupeu-ro-jek-teu-neun?, hakgyoeseogongsikjeokeurojueojinyeongupeurojekteuneun?)
   • 과제(gwa-je, gwaje)
   • 숙제(suk-je, sukje)
   • 둘 다(dulda)
   • 아무 것도 아님(a-mugeos-doa-nim, amugeosdoanim)

4. Which is study-related homework given at school to do at home?

   다음 중 학생이 학교에서 받은 공부 관련 집에서 하는 과제는?(da-eumjunghak-saeng-ihak-gyo-e-seobat-eungong-bugwan-ryeonjip-e-seoha-neungwa-je-neun?, daeumjunghaksaengihakgyoeseobateungongbugwanryeonjipeseohaneungwajeneun?)
   • 과제(gwa-je, gwaje)
   • 숙제(suk-je, sukje)
   • 둘 다(dulda)
   • 아무 것도 아님(a-mugeos-doa-nim, amugeosdoanim)