가장

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean ᄀᆞ자ᇰ〮 (Yale: kòcáng). Original meaning: "very, extremely". Superlative meaning ("most") from sixteenth century onward. Displaced previous superlative adverbs 안〮직 (Yale: áncìk), ᄆᆞᆺ〮 (Yale: mós).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ka̠d͡ʑa̠ŋ]
• Phonetic hangul: [가장]

가장 • (gajang)

1. most, -est

   Synonym: 제일(第一) (jeil)

   이 사전이 가장 좋아요.

   i sajeon-i gajang joa-yo.

   This dictionary is the best.

   우사인 볼트는 지구상에서 가장 빠른 사람이에요.

   Usain Bolteu-neun jigusang-eseo gajang ppareun saram-ie-yo.

   Usain Bolt is the fastest person on Earth.

Sino-Korean word from 假 (“fake”) + 葬 (“burial”)

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ˈka̠(ː)d͡ʑa̠ŋ]
• Phonetic hangul: [가(ː)장]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

가장 • (gajang) (hanja 假葬)

1. A hurried or temporary burial
2. Burying a child

Sino-Korean word from 家長, from 家 (“family”) + 長 (“master”)

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ka̠d͡ʑa̠ŋ]
• Phonetic hangul: [가장]

가장 • (gajang) (hanja 家長)

1. the head of a family

• Lee, Ju Haeng (이주행) with Lee Kyu Hang (이규항), Kim Sang Jun (김상준) (2004) “가장”, in 한국어 발음사전: Korean Pronouncing Dictionary, Seoul: Jigu Publishing, →ISBN, page 27
• National Institute of the Korean Language (Naver.com mirror) (2007 January 3 (last accessed)) “가장 [gajang]”, in 표준국어대사전 [pyojun'gugeodaesajeon]‎
• National Institute of the Korean Language (Naver.com mirror) (2007 January 3 (last accessed)) “가장 [gajang]”, in 표준국어대사전 [pyojun'gugeodaesajeon]‎
• Choe, Jong-du (최종두), ed. (2005) “가장”, in 새국어사전, Seoul: Isangsa, page 8