고민 vs 갈등
Korean word comparison
Listen to 고민
Listen to 갈등
| 고민 | 갈등 |
|---|---|
go-MIN noun | gal-deung noun |
| something you worry about or think about deeply; a concern or dilemma | inner conflict; conflict; tension |
How they differ
갈등 can mean an internal conflict between two opposing feelings or choices, but it often also refers to conflict between people or groups. 고민 is broader and more personal, and it does not usually imply a clash with others.
When to use each
When to use 고민: Use 고민 when the focus is on personal worry or a difficult decision.
When to use 갈등: Use 갈등 when the focus is on conflict, especially between opposing sides or feelings.
Side-by-side examples
- 어떤 대학을 갈지 고민 중이에요.
(I'm thinking about which university to go to.) - 두 선택 사이에서 갈등하고 있어요.
(I'm conflicted between the two choices.)
Register & nuance: 갈등 is neutral and common, but it is broader in use because it also appears often in discussions of social or interpersonal conflict.