극단적 선택

Korean

Etymology

Sino-Korean word from 極端的 (“extreme”) + 選擇 (“choice; option”).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [kɯk̚t͈a̠ɲd͡ʑʌ̹k̚ sʰɘ(ː)ntʰɛk̚] ~ [kɯk̚t͈a̠ɲd͡ʑʌ̹k̚ sʰɘ(ː)ntʰe̞k̚]
• Phonetic hangul: [극딴적 선(ː)택/극딴적 선(ː)텍]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	geukdanjeok seontaek
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	geugdanjeog seontaeg
McCune–Reischauer?	kŭktanjŏk sŏnt'aek
Yale Romanization?	kuktan.cek sēnthayk

Noun

극단적 선택 • (geukdanjeok seontaek) (hanja 極端的選擇)

1. (literally) extreme choice
2. (euphemistic) suicide

   Synonym: (non-euphemistic) 자살(自殺) (jasal)

Usage notes

• This euphemism is the usual term for suicide in Korean media.