Korean Dictionary
How to say "Spec" in Korean
“Spec” in Korean is 스펙 (pronounced "seupek").
스펙
seupek
Usage & Context
Borrowed English word meaning qualifications or credentials. Used to describe someone's educational background, skills, and achievements.
Example Sentence
그 사람 스펙 좋아.
That person has good qualifications.
How to use 스펙 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Spec” is 스펙, romanized as seupek.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
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 스펙.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, "Seu," is like "soo" in "soup" but with a very short 'u' sound, almost like "suh." "Pek" sounds like "peck" in "pecking order." The word is pronounced with two distinct syllables, "seu-pek," with a slight emphasis on the second syllable.
More Example Sentences
A conversation among friends about the difficulties of job hunting.
요즘 취업하려면 스펙이 정말 중요해.
To get a job these days, your 'specs' are really important.
Praising someone's impressive qualifications and credentials.
그 친구는 스펙이 너무 좋아서 어디든 합격할 거야.
That friend has such good 'specs,' they'll get accepted anywhere.
A student regretting focusing too much on accumulating qualifications.
나는 스펙 쌓느라 대학 생활을 제대로 못 즐긴 것 같아.
I feel like I couldn't properly enjoy university life because I was busy building my 'specs'.
Cultural Context
"스펙" is a ubiquitous term in South Korea, especially among students and young adults. It refers to the cumulative list of qualifications, including academic achievements, certifications, internships, volunteer work, and even language test scores (like TOEIC). The intense competition for university admissions and jobs has led to a "spec-쌓기" (spec-ssakgi, 'spec-building') culture, where individuals feel immense pressure to accumulate as many impressive credentials as possible. This phenomenon is often depicted in K-dramas and films that portray the struggles of youth, highlighting the societal pressure to conform to a certain standard of achievement.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 스펙 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
스펙 쌓다
To build specs/qualifications
스펙 좋다
To have good specs/qualifications
스펙 경쟁
Spec competition
Related Expressions
경력
gyeongnyeok
Career/work experience
자격증
jagyeokjeung
Certificate/license
학벌
hakbeol
Academic background/pedigree
이력서
illyeokseo
Resume/CV
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