상아탑

Korean

Etymology

Sino-Korean word from 象牙塔, from 象牙 (“ivory”) + 塔 (“tower”), probably a calque of English ivory tower.

Pronunciation
  • (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA(key): [sʰa̠ŋa̠tʰa̠p̚]
  • Phonetic hangeul: [상아탑]
Revised Romanization? sang-atap
Revised Romanization (translit.)? sang-atab
McCune–Reischauer? sangat'ap
Yale Romanization? sang.athap

Noun

상아탑 • (sang-atap) (hanja 象牙塔)

  1. (idiomatic) university (especially as an abode of learning and wisdom)
    학문의 상아탑이 취업 기관으로 전락한 모습을 보니 씁쓸하다.
    Hangmunui sang-atabi chwieop gigwaneuro jeollakhan moseubeul boni sseupsseulhada.
    It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to see these sacred abodes of knowledge degenerate into institutions for employment.
    Synonym: 대학(大學) (daehak, “university”, non-idiomatic)
  2. (original meaning, less common) ivory tower

Usage notes

Unlike in English, the word in its more common "university" sense is generally positive.

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