표준어 vs 표준 vs 본말: How to Choose Precisely

표준어 (pyo-jun-eo, pyojuneo) · 표준 (pyo-jun, pyojun) · 본말 (bon-mal, bonmal)

표준어 (pyojuneo) means official language form, 표준 (pyojun) means general standard, and 본말 (bonmal) means the root form of a word.

Comparison of Korean words 표준어, 표준, and 본말 with usage examples

Word-by-word breakdown

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

표준어(pyo-jun-eo, pyojuneo)

The officially recognized normative form of Korean language

When to use

official language standard, education and broadcasting, distinguishing standard vs dialect

The nuance

표준어 is used to refer to the official language form used in education, broadcasting, and official documents. It contrasts with dialects or non-standard language in everyday speech.

표준(pyo-jun, pyojun)

A general standard or norm; a criterion set in a specific field

When to use

general standard, non-language fields, setting criteria

The nuance

표준 means a 'standard' used in many fields beyond language, such as standard time or standard specifications, referring to an official or general criterion.

본말(bon-mal, bonmal)

The root or base form of a word, uninflected and original

When to use

word root form, linguistic term, distinguishing inflections

The nuance

본말 refers to the root form of a word, the uninflected and original form as opposed to inflected or derived forms.

Real-world examples

  • 표준어는 한국어 교육에서 가장 중요한 기준입니다.

    pyo-jun-eo-neun han-guk-eo gyo-yuk-e-seo ga-jang jung-yo-han gi-jun-ip-ni-da., pyo jun eo neun han guk eo gyo yuk e seo ga jang jung yo han gi jun ip ni da.

    표준어 refers to the official language form, fitting for education standards.

  • 우리 회사는 최신 본말을 따릅니다.

    u-ri hoe-sa-neun choe-sin bon-mal-eul tta-reup-ni-da., u ri hoe sa neun choe sin bon mal eul tta reup ni da.

    본말 means root word form, unrelated to company standards; 표준 should be used.

  • 한국의 표준은 서울말을 바탕으로 합니다.

    han-guk-ui pyo-jun-eun seo-ul-mal-eul ba-tang-eu-ro hap-ni-da., han guk ui pyo jun eun seo ul mal eul ba tang eu ro hap ni da.

    표준 means a general standard, applicable to language standards.

  • 이 단어의 본말은 무엇인가요?

    i dan-eo-ui bon-mal-eun mu-eos-in-ga-yo?, i dan eo ui bon mal eun mu eos in ga yo?

    본말 fits questions about a word's root form.

  • 방송에서는 표준을 사용해야 합니다.

    bang-song-e-seo-neun pyo-jun-eul sa-yong-hae-ya hap-ni-da., bang song e seo neun pyo jun eul sa yong hae ya hap ni da.

    Broadcasting requires the official language form, 표준어, not just 표준.

  • 본말과 활용형을 구분하는 것이 중요합니다.

    bon-mal-gwa hwal-yong-hyeong-eul gu-bun-ha-neun geos-i jung-yo-hap-ni-da., bon mal gwa hwal yong hyeong eul gu bun ha neun geos i jung yo hap ni da.

    본말 is used to distinguish inflected forms in linguistics.

  • 이 제품은 국제 표준을 준수합니다.

    i je-pum-eun guk-je pyo-jun-eul jun-su-hap-ni-da., i je pum eun guk je pyo jun eul jun su hap ni da.

    표준 refers to official standards outside language contexts.

  • 그는 표준어를 잘 못 씁니다.

    geu-neun pyo-jun-eo-reul jal mos sseup-ni-da., geu neun pyo jun eo reul jal mos sseup ni da.

    표준어 fits evaluating correct Korean usage.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word to use for official language form in education?

    교육에서 공식적인 언어 형태를 말할 때 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(gyo-yuk-e-seogong-sik-jeok-ineon-eohyeong-tae-reulmal-halttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, gyoyukeseogongsikjeokineoneohyeongtaereulmalhalttaeeotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)
  2. Which word refers to a word’s uninflected root form?

    단어의 변형되지 않은 기본형을 가리키는 단어는?(dan-eo-uibyeon-hyeong-doe-jian-eungi-bon-hyeong-eulga-ri-ki-neundan-eo-neun?, daneouibyeonhyeongdoejianeungibonhyeongeulgarikineundaneoneun?)
  3. Which word fits referring to product standards or criteria?

    제품의 규격이나 기준을 말할 때 적합한 단어는?(je-pum-uigyu-gyeok-i-nagi-jun-eulmal-halttaejeok-hap-handan-eo-neun?, jepumuigyugyeokinagijuneulmalhalttaejeokhaphandaneoneun?)

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