수리 vs 교체: Which to use when something breaks?

수리 (su-ri, suri) · 교체 (gyo-che, gyoche)

수리 means repairing a broken part, while 교체 means replacing the whole part or item with a new one.

Comparison of Korean words 수리 and 교체 showing repair vs replace meanings

Word-by-word breakdown

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

수리(su-ri, suri)

Fixing a broken part to make it work properly again

When to use

partial repair, temporary issue fix, cost-saving purpose

The nuance

Used when repairing a part of a machine, device, or object that is broken.

교체(gyo-che, gyoche)

Replacing a broken or old part or the entire item with a new one

When to use

whole part replacement, aging part substitution, complete new item change

The nuance

Used when replacing a part or the whole item due to damage or aging.

Real-world examples

  • 자동차 엔진을 수리했어요.

    ja-dong-cha en-jin-eul su-ri-haess-eo-yo., ja dong cha en jin eul su ri haess eo yo.

    Repairing the broken part of the engine fits the meaning of 수리.

  • 자동차 엔진을 교체했어요.

    ja-dong-cha en-jin-eul gyo-che-haess-eo-yo., ja dong cha en jin eul gyo che haess eo yo.

    Replacing the entire engine matches the meaning of 교체.

  • 핸드폰 화면을 수리했어요.

    haen-deu-pon hwa-myeon-eul su-ri-haess-eo-yo., haen deu pon hwa myeon eul su ri haess eo yo.

    Fixing the broken screen part fits 수리.

  • 핸드폰 화면을 교체했어요.

    haen-deu-pon hwa-myeon-eul gyo-che-haess-eo-yo., haen deu pon hwa myeon eul gyo che haess eo yo.

    Replacing the entire screen matches 교체.

  • 고장 난 부품을 수리했어요.

    go-jang nan bu-pum-eul su-ri-haess-eo-yo., go jang nan bu pum eul su ri haess eo yo.

    Repairing the broken part of the component fits 수리.

  • 고장 난 부품을 교체했어요.

    go-jang nan bu-pum-eul gyo-che-haess-eo-yo., go jang nan bu pum eul gyo che haess eo yo.

    Replacing the whole part matches 교체.

  • 컴퓨터를 수리했어요.

    keom-pyu-teo-reul su-ri-haess-eo-yo., keom pyu teo reul su ri haess eo yo.

    Repairing the broken part inside the computer fits 수리.

  • 컴퓨터를 교체했어요.

    keom-pyu-teo-reul gyo-che-haess-eo-yo., keom pyu teo reul gyo che haess eo yo.

    Replacing the entire computer matches 교체.

Quick quiz

  1. I ___ the broken smartphone battery.

    고장 난 스마트폰 배터리를 ___ 했어요.(go-jangnanseu-ma-teu-ponbae-teo-ri-reul___haess-eo-yo., gojangnanseumateuponbaeteorireul___haesseoyo.)
  2. The air conditioner's cooling function was broken, so I ___.

    에어컨의 냉각 기능이 고장 나서 ___ 했어요.(e-eo-keon-uinaeng-gakgi-neung-igo-jangna-seo___haess-eo-yo., eeokeonuinaenggakgineungigojangnaseo___haesseoyo.)
  3. I ___ the old window with a new one.

    오래된 창문을 새 창문으로 ___ 했어요.(o-rae-doenchang-mun-eulsaechang-mun-eu-ro___haess-eo-yo., oraedoenchangmuneulsaechangmuneuro___haesseoyo.)
  4. The car tire was punctured, so I ___.

    자동차 타이어가 펑크 나서 ___ 했어요.(ja-dong-chata-i-eo-gapeong-keuna-seo___haess-eo-yo., jadongchataieogapeongkeunaseo___haesseoyo.)

More comparisons to explore

View all word comparisons →