Nuance Dictionary / Foundation
세종대왕 Sejong Daewang (King Sejong the Great)
The fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty who created Hangul in 1443
What does 세종대왕 mean?
세종대왕 (Sejong Daewang (King Sejong the Great)) means: The fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty who created Hangul in 1443.
'Daewang' means 'Great King'. He is the most respected historical figure by Koreans and is featured on the 10,000 won bill.
🔊 From the story above
한글 — Hangeul
세종대왕 — Sejong Daewang, "King Sejong the Great"
자음 — ja-eum, "consonants"
가획 — ga-hoek, "adding strokes to create stronger consonant sounds"
모음 — mo-eum, "vowels"
천지인 — 天地人, "Heaven, Earth, and Humanity"
초성 — initial consonant
중성 — vowel
Other sides of 세종대왕
◆ The 10,000 Won Bill — Speakers refer to the green 10,000 won bill by the name of the historical figure pictured on its face. This usage appears in casual contexts involving cash, payment, or money. It functions as a straightforward metonymy for the physical currency note.
Using the historical name for paper money can sound playful or mildly humorous in everyday transactions, softening what might otherwise be a dry discussion of cash.
◆ The Guardian of Proper Korean — Standard reference materials list the historical figure who established the Joseon Dynasty's foundations, introduced scholarship through the Hall of Worthies, and created the script Hunminjeong-eum in 1443. Lexical entries detail his given name, regnal dates from 1418 to 1450, and achievements including astronomical instruments and territorial expansion. The materials do not document digital interactions where internet users invoke his name as a humorous guardian of orthography to correct typos or poor grammar.
In online chatrooms and comments, invoking his name often reads as mock-solemn guilt, playfully chiding someone for atrocious spelling or excessive loanwords as if summoning the king himself to witness the linguistic decay.
Using the historical name for paper money can sound playful or mildly humorous in everyday transactions, softening what might otherwise be a dry discussion of cash.
◆ The Guardian of Proper Korean — Standard reference materials list the historical figure who established the Joseon Dynasty's foundations, introduced scholarship through the Hall of Worthies, and created the script Hunminjeong-eum in 1443. Lexical entries detail his given name, regnal dates from 1418 to 1450, and achievements including astronomical instruments and territorial expansion. The materials do not document digital interactions where internet users invoke his name as a humorous guardian of orthography to correct typos or poor grammar.
In online chatrooms and comments, invoking his name often reads as mock-solemn guilt, playfully chiding someone for atrocious spelling or excessive loanwords as if summoning the king himself to witness the linguistic decay.
How it's actually used
- 세종대왕이 없었으면 지금 우리가 쓰는 한글도 없었겠지?
Sejongdaewangi eopseosseumyeon jigeum uriga sseuneun hangul-do eopseotgetji?
If it weren't for King Sejong, the Hangul we use today wouldn't exist, right?
💡 A common sentiment of gratitude toward the king. - 만 원짜리 지폐에 그려진 분은 세종대왕이야.
Man wonjjari jipye-e geuryeojin bun-eun Sejongdaewang-iya.
The person pictured on the 10,000-won bill is King Sejong.
💡 Refers to everyday currency featuring his portrait. - 한국 돈 만 원짜리 지폐에는 세종대왕의 초상화가 그려져 있어요.
hanguk don man wonjjari jipieneun sejongdaewang-ui chosanghwaga geuryeojyeo isseoyo.
The portrait of King Sejong is drawn on the 10,000-won Korean banknote.
💡 Refers to the face on the 10,000 won bill.