🟠 Discussing Pros and Cons in Korean | Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)
.jpg "Discussing Pros and Cons in Korean (TOPIK 3–4)")
Ever wanted to share both sides of an argument in Korean?
Being able to discuss advantages and disadvantages (장점과 단점) is essential for intermediate learners. Whether you’re talking about life in Korea, technology, or cultural topics, this skill makes you sound more balanced and respectful.
📑 Table of Contents
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🎯 Learning Goal
- Master key expressions to present both advantages (장점) and disadvantages (단점).
- Practice dialogues for debates, essays, and interviews (TOPIK 3–4 level).
- Apply polite connectors like 하지만 / 반면에 naturally in discussions.
💡 Why Learn?
Discussing pros and cons is useful in classroom debates, everyday conversations, and even job interviews. It proves you can analyze multiple perspectives and respond with nuance.
📖 Key Grammar Patterns
- … 장점은 … / 단점은 … (The advantage is… / The disadvantage is…)
- … 좋은 점도 있고 나쁜 점도 있다 (There are both pros and cons)
- … 반면에 … (On the other hand…)
- … 때문에 … 하지만 … (Because of …, but …)
📝 Common Phrases
- 한편으로는 … 하지만 다른 한편으로는 … (On one hand … but on the other hand …)
- 좋은 점과 나쁜 점을 모두 고려해야 한다 (We should consider both the pros and cons)
- 이점이 많지만, 단점도 무시할 수 없다 (There are many advantages, but the disadvantages can’t be ignored)
📖 Reading Passage
오늘날 많은 사람들이 재택근무를 선택하고 있습니다.
재택근무의 장점은 출퇴근 시간이 필요 없어서 시간을 절약할 수 있다는 점입니다. 또한 집에서 일하면 편안한 환경에서 집중할 수 있습니다.
하지만 단점은 집과 직장의 구분이 모호해져서 업무 시간이 길어질 수 있다는 것입니다. 그리고 동료들과의 소통이 줄어들어 협업이 어려워질 수도 있습니다.
Nowadays, many people choose to work from home.
The advantage is that you don’t need commuting time, so you can save time. Also, working from home allows you to focus in a comfortable environment.
However, the disadvantage is that the line between home and work becomes blurred, which can lead to longer working hours. In addition, communication with colleagues decreases, making collaboration more difficult.
📝 Vocabulary & Expressions
| Korean | Romanization | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 장점 | jangjeom | advantage | 긍정적인 면 |
| 단점 | danjeom | disadvantage | 부정적인 면 |
| 출퇴근 | chultoegeun | commute | 출근+퇴근 |
| 절약하다 | jeoryak-hada | to save | 시간/돈을 절약하다 |
| 모호하다 | moho-hada | to be vague | 경계가 불분명 |
| 협업 | hyeobeop | collaboration | 함께 일함 |
| 집중하다 | jipjung-hada | to concentrate | 공부에 집중하다 |
🗣 Practice Dialogue
A: 한국에서 사는 것의 장점은 뭐라고 생각해요?
Hanguk-eseo saneun geos-ui jangjeom-eun mwo-rago saenggak-haeyo?
What do you think is the advantage of living in Korea?
B: 교통이 편리한 반면에 집값이 비싸다는 단점이 있어요.
Gyotong-i pyeollihan banmyeon-e jipgap-i bissadaneun danjeom-i isseoyo.
Transportation is convenient, but the downside is high housing costs.
📝 Quiz (TOPIK 3–4 Style)
- Fill in the blank:
한국 생활의 (____)은 편리한 교통이고, (____)은 높은 집값이다.
Show Answer
장점 / 단점 - Which connector best fits?
스마트폰은 편리하다. (____) 중독될 수도 있다.
Show Answer
하지만 / 반면에 - True or False: "좋은 점과 나쁜 점을 모두 고려해야 한다" means we should ignore disadvantages.
Show Answer
False
🧩 Teacher’s Tips
Tip 1: Don’t literally translate “pros and cons” → use “장점과 단점”.
Tip 2: Practice connectors “하지만 / 반면에 / 그렇지만” for smooth flow.
Tip 3: Record yourself presenting both sides of one issue (e.g., social media use).
🌏 Did You Know?
Koreans sometimes use 손익(損益), meaning “loss and gain,” in formal contexts like newspapers or reports. It’s a higher-level word than 장점/단점 and can appear in TOPIK reading passages.
✨ Final Thoughts
By mastering 장점과 단점 expressions, you’ll boost your debate, essay, and workplace Korean. This bridges the gap between polite everyday speech and persuasive academic writing.
👉 Next article preview: “5 Easy Day Trips Near Seoul — routes, phrases, and foods to try.”
🚀 Take Action
- Write 3 sentences today using both 장점 and 단점 on one topic (e.g., studying abroad).
- Practice aloud: “한편으로는 … 하지만 …” at least 3 times with different subjects.
- Test yourself with the quiz above—then expand it into a short essay (TOPIK prep).
👤 About the Author
I’m an office worker with 20 years of experience who enjoys studying languages. On italki, I help learners practice real-life Korean—beyond textbooks—through debates, role-plays, and feedback.
📖 Related Lessons (Intermediate Series)
Click to view all 10 lessons
- 🏥 Describing Symptoms at a Hospital
- ✅ Expressing Necessity (–아/어야 하다)
- ⚖ Discussing Pros and Cons (You’re here)
- 🌦 Discussing Weather Changes
- 📘 Using ~고 and ~지만 (Grammar)
- 📖 Making Comparisons with ~보다
- 🗣 Expressing Opinions Politely
- 💡 How to Write Short Essays (TOPIK)
- 🚆 Talking About Transportation
- 🍲 Discussing Food & Culture
👉 Work through these 10 lessons step by step for stronger debate, essay, and speaking skills.
