Key Facts
- Hangul: 의견; Revised Romanization: uigyeon
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: Sino-Korean, hanja 意見 (意 thought + 見 view)
- Register: Neutral to somewhat formal; common at work and in discussions.
Opinion in Korean: What Does 의견 Mean?
의견 is an opinion or a view that you state. Its register is neutral to somewhat formal, and it is common at work and in discussions. Three fixed phrases handle most situations: 의견을 내다 to give an opinion, 의견이 다르다 when opinions differ and 의견에 동의하다 to agree with one.
의견 focuses on a view about a matter, especially one being discussed. When you ask permission to speak in a meeting, 의견 is the right noun.
How Do You Pronounce It?
의견 has two syllables, ui-gyeon. The first, ㅢ, is a tricky vowel: glide from "eu" into "ee" in a single movement. The second, ㄱ plus ㅕ, is a soft g followed by a y-glide, and the word ends in n.
Compare the written romanization uigyeon with the one in the third example, dong-uihaeyo, where a hyphen marks the break before the vowel.
Listen to the headword here.
Example Sentences with 의견
제 의견을 말해도 돼요?
Je uigyeoneul malhaedo dwaeyo?
May I give my opinion?
말해도 돼요 asks "may I say". 제 is a humble "my", so the question suits a meeting.
다른 사람의 의견도 들어 봅시다.
Dareun saramui uigyeondo deureo bopsida.
Let us hear other people's opinions too.
들어 봅시다 is "let us hear". 다른 사람의 means "other people's".
저는 그 의견에 동의해요.
Jeoneun geu uigyeone dong-uihaeyo.
I agree with that opinion.
동의해요 means I agree, and 에 marks what is agreed with. 저는 puts the speaker as the topic.
Common Phrases and Collocations
The three collocations give you the whole cycle of a discussion.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 의견을 내다 | to give an opinion |
| 의견이 다르다 | opinions differ |
| 의견에 동의하다 | to agree with an opinion |
The Mistake to Avoid
- Wrong: Using 생각 and 의견 as if they were identical.
- Correct: 의견 is an opinion you state in a discussion, while 생각 is a thought.
생각 covers thoughts, ideas and opinions more broadly. 의견 focuses on a view about an issue, often one you contribute to a discussion.
의견 Compared with 생각 and 견해
Three nouns circle the same area at different levels of formality and force.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 의견 | opinion | Stated in a discussion. |
| 생각 | thought, idea | More general and casual than 의견. |
| 견해 | viewpoint | More formal, written. |
| 주장 | claim | A stronger statement of one's position. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
의견 is Sino-Korean, written 意見 in hanja: 意 (thought) plus 見 (view). A thought that you let others see is a good summary.
Planning an Event: Asking for Another View
Two classmates are deciding when to hold a club event. One invites a suggestion, and the other gives a specific day.
Jisu
다른 의견 있어요?
Dareun uigyeon isseoyo?
Does anyone have another opinion?
Minho
토요일에 하면 좋겠어요.
Toyoire hamyeon jokesseoyo.
I think it would be good to do it on Saturday.
Jisu
좋은 의견이에요.
Joeun uigyeonieyo.
That is a good suggestion.
Minho
그럼 토요일로 정해요.
Geureom toyoillo jeonghaeyo.
Then let’s settle on Saturday.
의견 here includes a practical suggestion, so “opinion” is not always the best English translation. 다른 invites another view, while 좋은 의견이에요 responds positively to the suggestion. The final line moves from discussing views to making a decision.
Where Will You Hear or Read 의견?
In meetings and group projects, 의견 gives everyone a way to contribute a view. The speaker might suggest a date, propose a design or explain a concern. The word does not imply disagreement: a group can ask for 의견 before anyone has taken a position.
On a feedback form, 의견 can introduce a space for comments or suggestions. The request is for what you think about the subject, rather than a list of facts alone. A short explanation of what should change and why is a useful response to that kind of prompt.
In news reports, 의견 often describes the views of participants, residents or experts. It identifies a position rather than proving the position correct. When reading a summary of several 의견, keep the speaker attached to each view so you can tell who supports which proposal.
How Do the Collocations Work in Discussion?
의견을 내다 literally uses 내다, “put out,” for contributing a view. English usually says “give an opinion,” “offer a suggestion” or “speak up.” The phrase concerns making a contribution. It does not tell you whether the group accepts it.
의견이 다르다 says that opinions differ. The opinions take 이 because they are the things being described. 의견에 동의하다 uses 에 for the opinion someone agrees with. Compare these patterns with 의견을 말하다, where 을 marks the opinion being expressed. Learning the full combination helps you choose the particle.
Different opinions need not become a personal argument. Saying that the opinions differ keeps attention on the issue. Calling another view wrong makes a stronger judgment. 의견 is useful when you want to identify the point of disagreement before explaining your reasons.
Can 생각 Also Express an Opinion?
Yes. 생각 can mean what someone thinks about a subject, including an opinion. The distinction is wider versus narrower meaning, rather than private versus spoken thoughts. 의견 focuses on a view about a matter under discussion; 생각 also covers ideas, intentions and the act of thinking.
제 의견 uses the humble form of “my,” which fits the existing example asking permission to speak. The noun 의견 itself has no special polite replacement in that sentence. Courtesy comes from how the speaker introduces the view and the ending used to address the listener.
Words for Building a Discussion
| Korean | Meaning | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 이유 | reason | Explains why you hold the opinion. |
| 제안 | proposal, suggestion | Focuses on an action someone wants the group to take. |
| 찬성 | support, approval | Names a position in favor of a proposal. |
| 반대 | opposition | Names a position against a proposal. |
The reasoning and discussion vocabulary lesson provides words for connecting a view to its reasons. Pairing an 의견 with an 이유 makes your contribution easier to understand.
Quick Self-Test
- Can 의견 refer to a suggestion about an event date?
- Which particle appears in “agree with an opinion”: 의견을 or 의견에?
- Can 생각 sometimes mean an opinion too?
Show answers
- Yes. In a planning discussion, “suggestion” can be a natural translation.
- 의견에, as in 의견에 동의하다.
- Yes. 생각 is broader, while 의견 focuses on a view about a matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say opinion in Korean?
Say 의견 (uigyeon).
How do you ask to give your opinion?
Say 제 의견을 말해도 돼요?
What is the difference between 의견 and 생각?
의견 is a stated opinion, and 생각 is a thought or idea.
How do you say "I agree with that opinion"?
Say 저는 그 의견에 동의해요.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: reasoning and discussion words. 의견 is part of the reasoning and discussion words list.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: add 의견 to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Next: the word for purpose. The next entry in the list is purpose.