원인 (won-in, wonin) · 과정 (gwa-jeong, gwajeong) · 결과 (gyeol-gwa, gyeolgwa)
원인 (won-in), 과정 (gwa-jeong), 결과 (gyeol-gwa) represent the start, progression, and end of an event, each with distinct roles and uses.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The reason or fundamental motive that caused something to happen
When to use
Negative event reason, Cause of a problem, Explanation of past motive
The nuance
원인 refers to the starting point of an event or phenomenon, always linked to past or present circumstances. It is often used for negative events.
The stages or flow of an event or task, continuous movement of change
When to use
Step-by-step progress explanation, Emphasis on temporal change, Description of workflow
The nuance
과정 means the stages an event or task goes through from start to finish, emphasizing temporal flow and change.
The state or effect that appears after an event or action ends
When to use
Expressing final state, Effect after action, Drawing conclusion
The nuance
결과 refers to the effect or state appearing at the end of an event or action, the final point reached after cause and process.
비가 많이 와서 홍수가 난 원인이다.
bi-ga man-i wa-seo hong-su-ga nan won-in-i-da., bi ga man i wa seo hong su ga nan won in i da.
'원인' properly indicates the reason for an event.
홍수가 난 과정은 강물이 점점 불어난 것이다.
hong-su-ga nan gwa-jeong-eun gang-mul-i jeom-jeom bul-eo-nan geos-i-da., hong su ga nan gwa jeong eun gang mul i jeom jeom bul eo nan geos i da.
'과정' correctly explains the stages of an event.
홍수의 결과는 많은 피해가 발생했다.
hong-su-ui gyeol-gwa-neun man-eun pi-hae-ga bal-saeng-haess-da., hong su ui gyeol gwa neun man eun pi hae ga bal saeng haess da.
'결과' denotes the final state of an event.
홍수의 원인은 강물이 불어난 과정이다.
hong-su-ui won-in-eun gang-mul-i bul-eo-nan gwa-jeong-i-da., hong su ui won in eun gang mul i bul eo nan gwa jeong i da.
'과정' cannot be the cause; cause and process must be distinguished.
시험을 준비하는 원과정을 자세히 설명해 주세요.
si-heom-eul jun-bi-ha-neun won-gwa-jeong-eul ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo., si heom eul jun bi ha neun won gwa jeong eul ja se hi seol myeong hae ju se yo.
'원인' and '과정' are not combined; '원과정' is incorrect.
운동을 많이 해서 건강해진 결과이다.
un-dong-eul man-i hae-seo geon-gang-hae-jin gyeol-gwa-i-da., un dong eul man i hae seo geon gang hae jin gyeol gwa i da.
'결과' as a noun is unnatural with '이다'; use '결과로 건강해졌다' instead.
문제의 원인을 찾는 과정이 중요하다.
mun-je-ui won-in-eul chaj-neun gwa-jeong-i jung-yo-ha-da., mun je ui won in eul chaj neun gwa jeong i jung yo ha da.
'과정' is appropriate to indicate the stages of an event.
결과를 예상하지 않고 행동했다.
gyeol-gwa-reul ye-sang-ha-ji an-go haeng-dong-haess-da., gyeol gwa reul ye sang ha ji an go haeng dong haess da.
'결과' means the state appearing after an action.
Which word best describes the reason something happened?
Which word is used to describe the stages of an event's progression?
Which word expresses the state or effect after an action?
Which word fits best in the blank? "You must manage the ___ of preparing for an exam well."
