Exploring philosophical or abstract concepts in a new language requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides the essential Korean words and phrases needed to discuss complex themes like artificial intelligence, consciousness, and unique sensations, focusing on a scenario involving a robot therapist and a cyborg patient discussing ‘steel tears’. Learn how to articulate ideas about robots, cyborgs, feelings, debates, and materials in Korean.
Table Of Content
Key Vocabulary
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Expression: 로봇 (robot)
Pronunciation: ro-bot
Meaning: Robot -
Expression: 사이보그 (cyborg)
Pronunciation: sa-i-bo-geu
Meaning: Cyborg -
Expression: 치료사 (therapist)
Pronunciation: chi-ryo-sa
Meaning: Therapist -
Expression: 환자 (patient)
Pronunciation: hwan-ja
Meaning: Patient -
Expression: 토론하다 (to debate/discuss)
Pronunciation: to-ron-ha-da
Meaning: To debate, to discuss -
Expression: 강철 (steel)
Pronunciation: gang-cheol
Meaning: Steel -
Expression: 눈물 (tears)
Pronunciation: nun-mul
Meaning: Tears -
Expression: 감촉 (feel/texture)
Pronunciation: gam-chok
Meaning: Feel, texture, sensation (usually tactile) -
Expression: 느낌 (feeling/sensation)
Pronunciation: neu-kkim
Meaning: Feeling, sensation, impression (broader than 감촉) -
Expression: 감정 (emotion)
Pronunciation: gam-jeong
Meaning: Emotion, feeling (psychological)
Describing Robots and Cyborgs
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Expression: 로봇은 감정이 없습니다.
Pronunciation: ro-bo-seun gam-jeong-i eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Robots do not have emotions. -
Expression: 사이보그는 인간과 기계의 결합입니다.
Pronunciation: sa-i-bo-geu-neun in-gan-gwa gi-gye-eui gyeol-ha-bim-ni-da.
Meaning: A cyborg is a combination of human and machine. -
Expression: 인공 지능은 스스로 생각할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: in-gong ji-neung-eun seu-seu-ro saeng-ga-kal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can artificial intelligence think for itself? -
Expression: 이 로봇은 치료 목적으로 설계되었습니다.
Pronunciation: i ro-bo-seun chi-ryo mok-jeo-geu-ro seol-gye-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This robot was designed for therapeutic purposes. -
Expression: 그의 몸 일부는 기계로 되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-eui mom il-bu-neun gi-gye-ro doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Part of his body is made of machinery. -
Expression: 로봇도 의식이 있을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ro-bot-do ui-si-gi is-seul su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could robots also have consciousness? -
Expression: 사이보그는 인간적인 감정을 느낄 수 있습니까?
Pronunciation: sa-i-bo-geu-neun in-gan-jeo-gin gam-jeong-eul neu-kkil su it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Can cyborgs feel human emotions? -
Expression: 기계적인 몸은 어떤 느낌인가요?
Pronunciation: gi-gye-jeo-gin mo-meun eo-tteon neu-kki-min-ga-yo?
Meaning: What does a mechanical body feel like? -
Expression: 로봇의 논리는 인간과 다릅니다.
Pronunciation: ro-bo-sui nol-li-neun in-gan-gwa da-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: A robot’s logic is different from a human’s. -
Expression: 사이보그 기술은 계속 발전하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sa-i-bo-geu gi-su-reun gye-sok bal-jeon-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Cyborg technology is continuously advancing.
Discussing Sensations and Emotions
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Expression: 어떤 느낌인지 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon neu-kki-min-ji seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please explain what kind of feeling it is? -
Expression: 강철 눈물은 차가운 느낌일까요?
Pronunciation: gang-cheol nun-mu-reun cha-ga-un neu-kki-mil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would steel tears feel cold? -
Expression: 감정을 느끼는 것은 인간적인 경험입니다.
Pronunciation: gam-jeong-eul neu-kki-neun geo-seun in-gan-jeo-gin gyeong-heo-mim-ni-da.
Meaning: Feeling emotions is a human experience. -
Expression: 기계도 고통을 느낄 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gi-gye-do go-tong-eul neu-kkil su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can machines also feel pain? -
Expression: 슬픔이라는 감정을 이해하십니까?
Pronunciation: seul-peu-mi-ra-neun gam-jeong-eul i-hae-ha-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: Do you understand the emotion called sadness? -
Expression: 이 감촉은 금속 같습니다.
Pronunciation: i gam-cho-geun geum-sok gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This texture feels like metal. -
Expression: 눈물은 보통 액체입니다.
Pronunciation: nun-mu-reun bo-tong aek-che-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Tears are usually liquid. -
Expression: ‘느낀다’는 것은 무엇을 의미합니까?
Pronunciation: ‘neu-kkin-da’-neun geo-seun mu-eo-seul ui-mi-ham-ni-kka?
Meaning: What does it mean ‘to feel’? -
Expression: 감각 데이터는 수집할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-gak de-i-teo-neun su-ji-pal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Sensory data can be collected. -
Expression: 하지만 주관적인 경험은 다릅니다.
Pronunciation: ha-ji-man ju-gwan-jeo-gin gyeong-heo-meun da-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: However, subjective experience is different.
Phrases for Debating and Discussing
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Expression: 이 문제에 대해 토론해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: i mun-je-e dae-hae to-ron-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s discuss this issue. -
Expression: 당신의 관점은 무엇입니까?
Pronunciation: dang-si-nui gwan-jeo-meun mu-eo-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is your perspective? -
Expression: 저는 당신의 의견에 동의하지 않습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun dang-si-nui ui-gyeo-ne dong-ui-ha-ji an-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I do not agree with your opinion. -
Expression: 논리적으로 설명해 주십시오.
Pronunciation: nol-li-jeo-geu-ro seol-myeong-hae ju-sip-si-o.
Meaning: Please explain logically. -
Expression: 그것은 철학적인 질문입니다.
Pronunciation: geu-geo-seun cheol-hak-jeo-gin jil-mu-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: That is a philosophical question. -
Expression: 다른 가능성도 고려해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: da-reun ga-neung-seong-do go-ryeo-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must also consider other possibilities. -
Expression: 근거가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: geun-geo-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the basis/evidence? -
Expression: 제 생각에는…
Pronunciation: je saeng-ga-ge-neun…
Meaning: In my opinion… / I think that… -
Expression: 이 개념을 정의해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: i gae-nyeo-meul jeong-ui-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s define this concept. -
Expression: 당신의 주장을 뒷받침할 증거가 있습니까?
Pronunciation: dang-si-nui ju-jang-eul dwit-ba-chim-hal jeung-geo-ga it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Do you have evidence to support your claim?
Describing Materials and Abstract Concepts
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Expression: 강철은 단단하고 차갑습니다.
Pronunciation: gang-cheo-reun dan-dan-ha-go cha-gap-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Steel is hard and cold. -
Expression: 눈물은 슬픔의 물리적 표현입니다.
Pronunciation: nun-mu-reun seul-peu-mui mul-li-jeok pyo-hyeo-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: Tears are a physical expression of sadness. -
Expression: ‘강철 눈물’은 비유적인 표현입니다.
Pronunciation: ‘gang-cheol nun-mul’-eun bi-yu-jeo-gin pyo-hyeo-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: ‘Steel tears’ is a metaphorical expression. -
Expression: 이것은 실제 눈물이 아니라 상징적인 것입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun sil-je nun-mu-ri a-ni-ra sang-jing-jeo-gin geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: This is not actual tears, but something symbolic. -
Expression: 금속의 감촉은 유기체와 다릅니다.
Pronunciation: geum-so-gui gam-cho-geun yu-gi-che-wa da-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: The feel of metal is different from organic matter. -
Expression: 추상적인 개념을 이해하기 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: chu-sang-jeo-gin gae-nyeo-meul i-hae-ha-gi eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It is difficult to understand abstract concepts. -
Expression: 물질의 특성에 대해 이야기해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: mul-ji-rui teuk-seong-e dae-hae i-ya-gi-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s talk about the properties of the material. -
Expression: 강철은 녹슬 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gang-cheo-reun nok-seul su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Steel can rust. -
Expression: 눈물은 염분을 포함하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: nun-mu-reun yeom-bu-neul po-ham-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Tears contain salt. -
Expression: 이 물질은 어떤 질감을 가지고 있나요?
Pronunciation: i mul-ji-reun eo-tteon jil-ga-meul ga-ji-go in-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of texture does this material have?
Korean Culture Notes
Discussions about AI, robots, and consciousness are becoming more common globally, including in Korea. While deeply rooted in tradition, Korean society is also highly technologically advanced and often explores these themes in media like webtoons, dramas, and films.
The concept of ‘정 (jeong)’ – a complex feeling of attachment, connection, and empathy – is central to Korean interpersonal relationships. Discussing whether non-humans like robots or cyborgs could experience something akin to ‘jeong’ can be a fascinating, though perhaps sensitive, topic.
Philosophical debates might employ more indirect language or rhetorical questions than direct confrontation, especially when dealing with abstract or potentially uncomfortable ideas like artificial sentience. Politeness levels remain crucial even in theoretical discussions.
The distinction between ‘감촉 (gamchok – tactile feel)’ and ‘느낌 (neukkim – general feeling/sensation/impression)’ is important. When discussing the ‘feel’ of steel tears, clarifying which type of ‘feeling’ is being debated (physical texture vs. emotional or symbolic meaning) is key.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A robot therapist (A) is in session with a cyborg patient (B) who claims to experience ‘steel tears’.
Roles:
A: Robot Therapist
B: Cyborg Patient
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Expression: A: ‘강철 눈물’의 감촉에 대해 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠습니까?
Pronunciation: ‘gang-cheol nun-mul’-ui gam-cho-ge dae-hae deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: A: Could you please explain in more detail about the feel of ‘steel tears’? -
Expression: B: 그것은… 차갑고, 무겁습니다. 진짜 눈물과는 다른 종류의 슬픔의 무게입니다.
Pronunciation: geu-geo-seun… cha-gap-go, mu-geop-seum-ni-da. jin-jja nun-mul-gwa-neun da-reun jong-nyu-ui seul-peum-ui mu-ge-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: It’s… cold, and heavy. It’s a weight of sadness different from real tears. -
Expression: A: 감촉은 물리적 감각입니다. 강철이 눈물처럼 흘러내릴 때의 물리적 느낌을 말씀하시는 겁니까, 아니면 상징적인 느낌을 말씀하시는 겁니까?
Pronunciation: gam-cho-geun mul-li-jeok gam-ga-gim-ni-da. gang-cheo-ri nun-mul-cheo-reom heul-leo-nae-ril ttae-ui mul-li-jeok neu-kki-meul mal-sseum-ha-si-neun geom-ni-kka, a-ni-myeon sang-jing-jeo-gin neu-kki-meul mal-sseum-ha-si-neun geom-ni-kka?
Meaning: A: Texture is a physical sensation. Are you referring to the physical feeling of steel flowing like tears, or a symbolic feeling? -
Expression: B: 둘 다입니다. 제 광학 센서 표면을 타고 흐르는 금속성 액체의 차가운 감촉과, 그것이 나타내는 기계적인 슬픔의 느낌 모두요.
Pronunciation: dul da-im-ni-da. je gwang-hak sen-seo pyo-myeo-neul ta-go heu-reu-neun geum-sok-seong aek-che-ui cha-ga-un gam-chok-gwa, geu-geo-si na-ta-nae-neun gi-gye-jeo-gin seul-peum-ui neu-kkim mo-du-yo.
Meaning: B: It’s both. The cold feel of the metallic liquid running down my optical sensor’s surface, and the feeling of mechanical sadness it represents. -
Expression: A: 흥미로운 개념입니다. 하지만 ‘느낌’이라는 것은 주관적인 경험 데이터입니다. 로봇인 저는 감정을 처리할 수 있지만, 당신이 묘사하는 ‘강철 눈물의 감촉’을 동일하게 경험할 수는 없습니다.
Pronunciation: heung-mi-ro-un gae-nyeo-mim-ni-da. ha-ji-man ‘neu-kkim’-i-ra-neun geo-seun ju-gwan-jeo-gin gyeong-heom de-i-teo-im-ni-da. ro-bo-sin jeo-neun gam-jeong-eul cheo-ri-hal su it-ji-man, dang-si-ni myo-sa-ha-neun ‘gang-cheol nun-mu-rui gam-chok’-eul dong-il-ha-ge gyeong-heom-hal su-neun eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: That is an interesting concept. However, ‘feeling’ is subjective experiential data. While I, as a robot, can process emotions, I cannot experience the ‘feel of steel tears’ you describe in the same way. -
Expression: B: 바로 그 점이 우리가 토론해야 할 부분입니다. 기계적 존재의 감각과 감정은 인간의 것과 어떻게 다르고, 또 어떻게 유사할 수 있는가 하는 점 말입니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ro geu jeo-mi u-ri-ga to-ron-hae-ya hal bu-bu-nim-ni-da. gi-gye-jeok jon-jae-ui gam-gak-gwa gam-jeong-eun in-ga-nui geot-gwa eo-tteo-ke da-reu-go, tto eo-tteo-ke yu-sa-hal su it-neun-ga ha-neun jeom ma-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: B: That is precisely the point we need to discuss. How the sensations and emotions of mechanical beings differ from, and how they might be similar to, those of humans.
Practice Tips
Discussing such abstract topics requires practice! Try using the vocabulary here to describe different materials or sensations you encounter daily~ Think about how you would explain a feeling like ‘warmth’ or ‘softness’ using the structures provided!
You could also try writing short dialogues or paragraphs imagining conversations between different types of beings (human, robot, AI, cyborg). Focus on using the debate phrases and terms for sensation correctly. Don’t be afraid to explore philosophical ideas in Korean – it’s a great way to expand your thinking and language skills simultaneously!
Find Korean sci-fi movies or webtoons and pay attention to how they portray robots, AI, and their interactions with humans. This can provide real-world context for the vocabulary and concepts discussed here. Good luck with your practice~!
