Korean Dictionary
How to say "Perfectionism" in Korean
“Perfectionism” in Korean is 완벽주의 (pronounced "wanbyeokjuui").
완벽주의
wanbyeokjuui
Usage & Context
Perfectionism is the tendency to demand flawless results. In Korea's competitive academic and professional environments, 완벽주의 is common and can contribute to anxiety and burnout.
Example Sentence
완벽주의는 창의성을 가로막을 수 있다.
Perfectionism can block creativity.
How to use 완벽주의 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Perfectionism” is 완벽주의, romanized as wanbyeokjuui.
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 완벽주의.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'wan' like 'wahn' in 'want'. 'byeok' is like 'byuck' in 'buck' but with a 'y' sound before the 'u'. 'ju' sounds like 'joo' in 'juice'. 'u-i' is a quick 'oo-ee' sound, almost like 'wee'. The stress is fairly even across syllables.
More Example Sentences
A friend confiding about work pressure.
완벽주의 때문에 스트레스가 너무 심해요.
I'm under too much stress because of perfectionism.
Describing someone's personality.
그는 완벽주의 성향이 강해서 작은 실수도 용납 못 해요.
He has a strong perfectionist tendency, so he can't tolerate even small mistakes.
Giving advice to a friend.
완벽주의를 버리고 좀 더 유연해질 필요가 있어.
You need to let go of perfectionism and be more flexible.
Cultural Context
In Korea's highly competitive academic and professional environments, '완벽주의' can be a double-edged sword. While often seen as a positive trait reflecting diligence and high standards, it's also increasingly recognized as a source of anxiety and burnout. K-dramas like 'Sky Castle' often depict the intense pressure to achieve perfection, especially in education, highlighting its psychological toll.
Editorial note
We review entries like 완벽주의 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
완벽주의 성향
perfectionist tendency
완벽주의를 버리다
to give up perfectionism
지나친 완벽주의
excessive perfectionism
Related Expressions
완벽하다
wanbyeokhada
to be perfect (adjective)
완벽주의자
wanbyeokjuuija
perfectionist (person)
강박증
gangbakjeung
OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder
결벽증
gyeollbyeokjeung
germophobia, extreme cleanliness
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