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 hangul: [상아탑]
Romanizations
Revised Romanization?sang'atap
Revised Romanization (translit.)?sang'atab
McCune–Reischauer?sangat'ap
Yale Romanization?sanga.thap

Noun

상아탑 • (sang'atap) (hanja 象牙塔)

  1. (figurative) university (especially as an abode of learning and wisdom)
    Synonym: 대학(大學) (“university”, non-idiomatic)
    학문의 상아탑이 취업 기관으로 전락한 모습을 보니 씁쓸하다.
    Hangmun-ui sang'atab-i chwieop gigwan-euro jeollakhan moseub-eul boni sseupsseulhada.
    It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to see these sacred abodes of knowledge degenerate into institutions for employment.
  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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