Meaning and Usage
The noun '강요' means 'compulsion' or 'forcing someone to do something against their will.' It is often used in contexts where someone is pressured or coerced into an action.
Common Contexts
'강요' is frequently used in legal, social, and interpersonal situations to describe unwanted pressure or coercion. For example, forcing someone to work, to confess, or to comply with demands.
Collocations and Patterns
- 강요하다: to force or compel someone
- 강요당하다: to be forced or compelled
- 강요에 못 이기다: to be unable to resist compulsion
These patterns help express who is doing the forcing and who is being forced.
Register and Politeness
'강요' is a formal noun and often appears in written or formal spoken Korean, such as news reports, legal documents, or serious conversations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '강요' with '요구' (request/demand). '강요' implies force without consent, while '요구' can be a polite or neutral request. Use '강요' only when emphasizing coercion or pressure.