진행 vs 완료: Process vs Completion

진행 (jin-haeng, jinhaeng) · 완료 (wan-ryo, wanryo)

진행 (jin-haeng) refers to the ongoing process, while 완료 (wan-ryo) means the task is fully completed.

Comparison of Korean words 진행 and 완료 for process vs completion

Word-by-word breakdown

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

진행(jin-haeng, jinhaeng)

Indicates that a task or event is currently underway or in progress

When to use

Project in progress, During a meeting, Work ongoing

The nuance

Use 진행 when the task or event is ongoing and not finished yet; it emphasizes the process or state.

완료(wan-ryo, wanryo)

Indicates that a task or event has been fully finished or completed

When to use

Task completion report, Work finished, Project closed

The nuance

Use 완료 when the task or event is fully finished and no longer ongoing; it emphasizes completion or final status.

Real-world examples

  • 프로젝트가 아직 진행 중입니다.

    peu-ro-jek-teu-ga a-jik jin-haeng jung-ip-ni-da., peu ro jek teu ga a jik jin haeng jung ip ni da.

    진행 correctly indicates the project is ongoing, not finished.

  • 프로젝트가 이미 완료 중입니다.

    peu-ro-jek-teu-ga i-mi wan-ryo jung-ip-ni-da., peu ro jek teu ga i mi wan ryo jung ip ni da.

    완료 means finished, so '완료 중' is incorrect; use 진행 중 instead.

  • 회의가 진행되고 있습니다.

    hoe-ui-ga jin-haeng-doe-go iss-seup-ni-da., hoe ui ga jin haeng doe go iss seup ni da.

    Meeting is ongoing, so 진행 is appropriate.

  • 회의가 완료되었습니다.

    hoe-ui-ga wan-ryo-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., hoe ui ga wan ryo doe eoss seup ni da.

    If the meeting finished, 완료 correctly shows completion.

  • 작업이 완료 중입니다.

    jak-eop-i wan-ryo jung-ip-ni-da., jak eop i wan ryo jung ip ni da.

    완료 means finished; ongoing work should use 진행 중.

  • 작업이 진행되었습니다.

    jak-eop-i jin-haeng-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., jak eop i jin haeng doe eoss seup ni da.

    진행되었습니다 naturally means the work was carried out.

  • 업무가 완료되었습니다.

    eop-mu-ga wan-ryo-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., eop mu ga wan ryo doe eoss seup ni da.

    완료되었습니다 correctly indicates task completion.

  • 업무가 진행되었습니다.

    eop-mu-ga jin-haeng-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., eop mu ga jin haeng doe eoss seup ni da.

    진행되었습니다 emphasizes the process of doing the task.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word do you use for a task that is not finished yet?

    아직 끝나지 않은 일을 말할 때 어떤 단어를 사용하나요?(a-jikkkeut-na-jian-eunil-eulmal-halttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsa-yong-ha-na-yo?, ajikkkeutnajianeunileulmalhalttaeeotteondaneoreulsayonghanayo?)
  2. Which word is appropriate to express a fully finished task?

    일이 모두 끝난 상태를 표현할 때 적절한 단어는?(il-imo-dukkeut-nansang-tae-reulpyo-hyeon-halttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, ilimodukkeutnansangtaereulpyohyeonhalttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)
  3. What is the correct expression if a meeting is happening now?

    회의가 지금 열리고 있을 때 올바른 표현은?(hoe-ui-gaji-geumyeol-ri-goiss-eulttaeol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, hoeuigajigeumyeolrigoisseulttaeolbareunpyohyeoneun?)
  4. Which expression do you use when reporting finished work?

    작업이 끝나서 보고할 때 쓰는 표현은?(jak-eop-ikkeut-na-seobo-go-halttaesseu-neunpyo-hyeon-eun?, jakeopikkeutnaseobogohalttaesseuneunpyohyeoneun?)

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