접수 vs 완료: Subtle Differences Between 접수 and 완료

접수 (jeop-su, jeopsu) · 완료 (wan-ryo, wanryo)

'접수' means receiving an application or document, while '완료' indicates that something is finished.

Comparison of Korean words 접수 and 완료 with usage examples

Word-by-word breakdown

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

접수(jeop-su, jeopsu)

The act or state of receiving applications, documents, or requests

When to use

application received, document received, inquiry received

The nuance

Use ‘접수’ when something like an application or request is officially received; it indicates the receiving stage, not completion.

완료(wan-ryo, wanryo)

Indicates that a task or work is finished and nothing more remains to be done

When to use

task finished, work completed, processing done

The nuance

Use ‘완료’ when a process or task is fully finished; it clarifies that after receiving, the work is done.

Real-world examples

  • 지원서가 접수되었습니다.

    ji-won-seo-ga jeop-su-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., ji won seo ga jeop su doe eoss seup ni da.

    ‘접수’ correctly means the application was received.

  • 지원서가 완료되었습니다.

    ji-won-seo-ga wan-ryo-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., ji won seo ga wan ryo doe eoss seup ni da.

    ‘완료’ means finished, so it’s incorrect for the receiving stage; use ‘접수’ instead.

  • 서류 접수 후 검토가 시작됩니다.

    seo-ryu jeop-su hu geom-to-ga si-jak-doep-ni-da., seo ryu jeop su hu geom to ga si jak doep ni da.

    ‘접수’ fits because it refers to receiving before review.

  • 서류 완료 후 검토가 시작됩니다.

    seo-ryu wan-ryo hu geom-to-ga si-jak-doep-ni-da., seo ryu wan ryo hu geom to ga si jak doep ni da.

    ‘완료’ means finished, so it cannot refer to documents before review.

  • 작업이 모두 완료되었습니다.

    jak-eop-i mo-du wan-ryo-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., jak eop i mo du wan ryo doe eoss seup ni da.

    ‘완료’ properly indicates that the work is finished.

  • 작업이 모두 접수되었습니다.

    jak-eop-i mo-du jeop-su-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., jak eop i mo du jeop su doe eoss seup ni da.

    ‘접수’ only means receiving, not completion of work.

  • 문의가 접수되었습니다. 곧 답변 드리겠습니다.

    mun-ui-ga jeop-su-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da. got dap-byeon deu-ri-gess-seup-ni-da., mun ui ga jeop su doe eoss seup ni da. got dap byeon deu ri gess seup ni da.

    It’s natural and correct to say the inquiry was received.

  • 문의가 완료되었습니다. 곧 답변 드리겠습니다.

    mun-ui-ga wan-ryo-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da. got dap-byeon deu-ri-gess-seup-ni-da., mun ui ga wan ryo doe eoss seup ni da. got dap byeon deu ri gess seup ni da.

    ‘완료’ means finished, so it’s wrong for an inquiry reception.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word means ‘documents received’ appropriately?

    ‘서류를 받았다’는 의미로 적절한 단어는?(‘seo-ryu-reulbat-ass-da’neunui-mi-rojeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, ‘seoryureulbatassda’neunuimirojeokjeolhandaneoneun?)
  2. Which word is appropriate to say ‘the task is finished’?

    ‘작업이 끝났다’고 말할 때 적절한 단어는?(‘jak-eop-ikkeut-nass-da’gomal-halttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, ‘jakeopikkeutnassda’gomalhalttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)
  3. Which word fits ‘Your inquiry has been received’?

    ‘문의가 접수되었다’는 문장에서 올바른 단어는?(‘mun-ui-gajeop-su-doe-eoss-da’neunmun-jang-e-seool-ba-reundan-eo-neun?, ‘munuigajeopsudoeeossda’neunmunjangeseoolbareundaneoneun?)
  4. Which word suits ‘processing is all done’?

    ‘처리가 모두 끝났다’고 말할 때 알맞은 단어는?(‘cheo-ri-gamo-dukkeut-nass-da’gomal-halttaeal-maj-eundan-eo-neun?, ‘cheorigamodukkeutnassda’gomalhalttaealmajeundaneoneun?)

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