계속 vs 결과: Difference Between Continuation and Outcome

계속 (gye-sok, gyesok) · 결과 (gyeol-gwa, gyeolgwa)

계속 (gyesok) means continuous action or state without stopping, while 결과 (gyeolgwa) means the outcome or result after a cause or process.

Comparison of Korean words 계속 and 결과 showing continuation vs result

Word-by-word breakdown

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

계속(gye-sok, gyesok)

Continuous action or state without interruption

When to use

action continuation, state maintenance, passage of time

The nuance

Use 계속 when an action or state continues without stopping. It indicates ongoingness over time.

결과(gyeol-gwa, gyeolgwa)

The state or fact that appears at the end of a cause or process

When to use

cause and effect, explaining outcome, drawing conclusion

The nuance

Use 결과 to refer to the state, effect, or outcome that appears at the end of an event or cause. It is used to explain cause and effect relationships.

Real-world examples

  • 나는 계속 공부했다.

    na-neun gye-sok gong-bu-haess-da., na neun gye sok gong bu haess da.

    계속 is appropriate when an action continues without interruption.

  • 나는 결과 공부했다.

    na-neun gyeol-gwa gong-bu-haess-da., na neun gyeol gwa gong bu haess da.

    결과 does not indicate continuous action, so '결과 공부했다' is unnatural; use 계속 instead.

  • 비가 계속 내린다.

    bi-ga gye-sok nae-rin-da., bi ga gye sok nae rin da.

    Since rain continues without stopping, 계속 is correct.

  • 비가 결과 내린다.

    bi-ga gyeol-gwa nae-rin-da., bi ga gyeol gwa nae rin da.

    결과 expresses cause and effect, but here continuous action is needed, so 계속 is correct.

  • 노력의 결과가 좋았다.

    no-ryeok-ui gyeol-gwa-ga joh-ass-da., no ryeok ui gyeol gwa ga joh ass da.

    It describes the state after the cause (effort), so 결과 is correct.

  • 노력은 계속가 좋았다.

    no-ryeok-eun gye-sok-ga joh-ass-da., no ryeok eun gye sok ga joh ass da.

    계속 means continuation of action or state, so '계속가' is grammatically incorrect.

  • 프로젝트가 계속 진행 중이다.

    peu-ro-jek-teu-ga gye-sok jin-haeng jung-i-da., peu ro jek teu ga gye sok jin haeng jung i da.

    Since the project is ongoing without stopping, 계속 is appropriate.

  • 프로젝트가 결과 진행 중이다.

    peu-ro-jek-teu-ga gyeol-gwa jin-haeng jung-i-da., peu ro jek teu ga gyeol gwa jin haeng jung i da.

    결과 does not express ongoing progress, so it is incorrect here.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word is appropriate when something continues without stopping?

    어떤 일이 멈추지 않고 이어질 때 적절한 단어는?(eo-tteonil-imeom-chu-jian-goi-eo-jilttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, eotteonilimeomchujiangoieojilttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)
  2. Which word is used to talk about a cause and its effect?

    원인과 그에 따른 효과를 말할 때 쓰는 단어는?(won-in-gwageu-etta-reunhyo-gwa-reulmal-halttaesseu-neundan-eo-neun?, woningwageuettareunhyogwareulmalhalttaesseuneundaneoneun?)
  3. Fill in the blank: "The ___ of the effort was good."

    "노력의 ___가 좋았다." 빈칸에 들어갈 단어는?("no-ryeok-ui___gajoh-ass-da."bin-kan-edeul-eo-galdan-eo-neun?, "noryeokui___gajohassda."binkanedeuleogaldaneoneun?)
  4. Which is correct: "It ___ rains."

    "비가 ___ 내린다." 올바른 표현은?("bi-ga___nae-rin-da."ol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, "biga___naerinda."olbareunpyohyeoneun?)

More comparisons to explore

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