Korean Dictionary
How to say "Grade" in Korean
“Grade” in Korean is 성적 (pronounced "Seongjeok").
성적
Seongjeok
Usage & Context
Grades (성적) hold enormous significance in Korean society. Academic performance directly affects university admission, scholarship eligibility, and even social standing. Parents monitor their children's grades closely, and high grades are a source of family pride. Report cards (성적표) are reviewed with great anticipation.
Example Sentence
이번 학기 성적이 많이 올랐어요.
My grades improved a lot this semester.
How to use 성적 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Grade” is 성적, romanized as Seongjeok.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 성적.
Pronunciation Guide
성 (seong) sounds like 'sung' in 'song' but with a softer 's'. 적 (jeok) is like 'juck' in 'duck'. Put it together: 'Seong-juck'.
More Example Sentences
A student discussing academic results.
이번 학기 성적이 잘 나와서 기뻐요.
I'm happy my grades were good this semester.
A student expressing academic pressure.
성적 때문에 스트레스가 너무 많아요.
I'm so stressed because of my grades.
Giving advice to a student.
좋은 성적을 받으려면 열심히 공부해야 해요.
To get good grades, you have to study hard.
Cultural Context
In Korea, 성적 (grades) are a critical measure of academic success and future prospects, heavily influencing university admissions and career paths. The pressure to achieve high grades is intense, leading to long study hours, private academies (학원), and significant parental involvement in monitoring performance. Good grades are a source of family pride, while poor grades can cause considerable stress for students and their families.
Editorial note
We review entries like 성적 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
성적이 좋다
to have good grades
성적이 나쁘다
to have bad grades
성적표
report card
Related Expressions
점수
jeomsu
score (often for individual tests)
학점
hakjeom
academic credit / GPA (university)
시험
siheom
exam
공부
gongbu
study
More Education Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Grade and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
