Korean Dictionary
How to say "Outline" in Korean
“Outline” in Korean is 윤곽 (pronounced "Yunggwak").
윤곽
Yunggwak
Usage & Context
Yunggwak is the Korean word for outline. Outlines are used in Korean design to define shapes and create clarity. They represent boundaries and definition.
Example Sentence
윤곽이 명확해요.
The outline is clear.
How to use 윤곽 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Outline” is 윤곽, romanized as Yunggwak.
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 윤곽.
Pronunciation Guide
윤 (Yun) sounds like 'yoon' in 'moon'. 곽 (gwak) sounds like 'gwak' in 'Gwak-jae' (a Korean surname), with the 'gw' like in 'Gwen'. The final 'k' sound in '곽' is a soft, unreleased 'k'. The pronunciation is smooth and flows well.
More Example Sentences
Describing visibility in foggy weather.
안개가 짙어서 건물의 윤곽만 보였어요.
The fog was thick, so only the outline of the building was visible.
Discussing art techniques or drawing processes.
그림을 그릴 때 먼저 윤곽을 잡는 것이 중요해요.
When drawing, it's important to first sketch the outline.
Metaphorical use, discussing business or project planning.
새로운 계획의 윤곽이 점점 드러나고 있어요.
The outline of the new plan is gradually emerging.
Cultural Context
In traditional Korean art, particularly ink wash painting (수묵화, sumukhwa), the emphasis is often on capturing the spirit and essence of a subject rather than strictly defined outlines. However, in modern design, architecture, or technical fields, '윤곽' is crucial for clarity and precision. It can also be used metaphorically, such as '이야기의 윤곽' (the outline of a story) or '계획의 윤곽' (the outline of a plan).
Editorial note
We review entries like 윤곽 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
윤곽을 잡다
to sketch an outline, to get the gist
윤곽이 뚜렷하다
to have a clear outline
얼굴 윤곽
facial contour/outline
Related Expressions
외곽선
oegwakseon
outer line, contour line
테두리
teduri
border, edge, rim
형태
hyeongtae
form, shape
개요
gaeyo
overview, summary (metaphorical outline)
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