One of the most complex and difficult words I’ve known was the Korean word ”jeong (정)”. It is a very broad concept in Korea and really an important part of Korean people and culture.
One may define it as a connection feeling of friendliness or connection with everything that interacts with us, or a feeling of deep association with somebody or something to the point that it is a part of you and it is inseparable.
Of the many definitions in my dictionary, “feeling,” “compassion,” “sentiment,” and “affection” seem to come the closest, but none of them convey the real meaning or importance of the term. I see jeong existing between family members and close friends as an invisible force that binds them together. (Peter M. Beck)
Jeong is a very particular sentimental attitude that is without equivalence in other countries of the world. It is difficult to translate into English because it is a special one that goes beyond mere affection and loyalty.
Tag: 정
정보 (情報) = Information
(情)
뜻 정 (meaning)
(報)
알릴 보 (report/notify)
정부 (政府) = Government
(政) 정사 정 (affairs/matters/politics)
(府) 마을/도시 부 (village/city)
정

Affection
정 = affection, attachment, bond, caring

Feelings, Intention
표정 = facial expression (표 = show, display, express)
감정 = feeling, emotion (감 = feel)
열정 = passion (열 = heat)
우정 = friendship (우 = friendly)
인정 = humanity, human nature
동정심 = compassion, sympathy (동 = together, same)
동정하다 = to sympathise, commiserate, pity
다정하다 = to be kind, friendly, warm-hearted
정욕 = lust, sexual desire
애정 = affection, love
무정 = apathy, heartlessness

Information, Story, Meaning
정보 = information (보 = report
사정 = reason, situation (사 = event)
실정 = the actual situation

정 = Affection, attachment, giving, compassion, bond
정이 많다 = warm-hearted
정이 없다 = uncaring, cold, selfish
정 들다 = to become fond of, become attached to
정 붙이다 = to be attached to (attached affection)
정이 떨어지다 = to lose affection (affection falls/drops away)
정을 쏟다 = to pour affection (into someone)
[예문]
너가 꽤나 정을 붙인 것은 명백한 사실이야 = It’s obvious you’ve become quite attached.
그는 정 붙일 곳이 없는 것 같다 = He does not seem to have anywhere to put his affection.
그 자매는 서로 간에 정이 깊다 = The sisters have a deep affection for one another.
그 사람한테는 왠지 정이 안 간다 = I don’t know why, but I just don’t like him.
그녀는 정이 많다 = She has a kind heart.
학생들은 선생님에게 금방 정들었다 = The pupils soon became attached to their teacher.
그의 말투에 정이 뚝 떨어졌다 = I was so put off by the way he talks.
무슨 말을 그렇게 정 떨어지게 해요? = Why do you speak so mean like that?
선생님은 그 아이에게 많은 정을 쏟았다 = The teacher poured her affection to the kid.
고운 정 미운 정이 다 들었다 = Have been through thick and thin (lovely bond and ugly bond)
[회화]
A: 한국 사람들이 말하는 “정’‘이란 게 뭐예요?
B: 글쎄요, 한마디로 설명하긴 좀 어렵네요. 사람들이 오랫동안 함께 지내면서 그 사이에서 생겨나는 친근함이나 아끼고 좋아하는 마음 같은 정서를 ’’정’’이라고 하죠.
A: 조금 알 것 같아요. 그런 뜻이라면 한국 사람들은 정말 정이 많은 사람들 같아요.
결

Tie, result
단결(하다) = unity
연결(하다) = link, connection (연 = connect)
결합(하다) = union
결혼(하다) = marriage
결과 = result
결국 = eventually, conclusion (국 = position, circumstances)
결론 = conclusion (론 = discuss)

Absence, defect
출결 = attendance and absence
결석(하다) = absence (school)
결근(하다) = absence (work)
결시(하다) = absence (exam, test)
결함 = defect, fault (product)
결점 = weak point, defect, fault (person)
결핍 = shortage, deficiency
결례 = lack of courtesy, negligence in etiquette
결격 = disqualification
결번 = not valid(in service) number

Decide
결정(하다) = decision
결심(하다) = resolution
결코 = absolutely not, never

Clean, pure
순결(하다) = purity
결백(하다) = innocence, purity
결벽증 = excessive love of cleanliness
보

Protection
보안 = the preservation of public peace
보호 = protection
보험 = insurance
보관(하다) = custody, have a thing in one´s keeping
담보 = security, mortgage
보건소 = public health center
아동 보호 = child protection

Report
예보 = forecasting
일기예보 = weather forecast
경보 = alarm, warning
정보 = information
보고(하다) = report
보고서 = written report, paper
보도(하다) = report, notify
홍보(하다) = public relations
속보 = newsflash

Fill
보충(하다) = supplement
보강(하다) = reinforcement
후보 = candidate, candidacy
보조(하다) = assistance, support, assist
보정(하다) = revision
양보(하다) = make a concession

Step
보행기 = baby walker
초보/초보자 = beginner
도보 = going on foot
횡단보도 = crosswalk


