지식인
지식인이 답변을 달았어요.
A knowledgeable person replied.
An online Q&A platform or community where users ask questions and receive answers from verified experts or knowledgeable individuals.
지식인에서 질문에 대한 답변을 얻었어요.
I got an answer to my question on Knowledge-iN.
Originally a portmanteau of '지식' (knowledge) and '인' (person), but evolved into a branded term for Naver's Q&A service.
A person who provides expert or reliable answers on an online Q&A platform.
그는 지식인에서 인기 있는 답변가로 활동해요.
He is a popular answerer on Knowledge-iN.
Often used to describe users with high reputation scores on such platforms.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translation
While '지식인' literally means 'knowledgeable person,' it specifically refers to experts on Naver's Knowledge-iN platform. Use 'expert' or 'knowledgeable user' in general contexts.
Gold Rule
Platform vs. person
Distinguish between '지식인' as the platform (Naver's Q&A service) and as a person (an expert user). Context usually clarifies the meaning.
Word Origin
A portmanteau of '지식' (knowledge, from Sino-Korean '知識') and '인' (person, from Sino-Korean '人'), coined by Naver for its Q&A platform 'Knowledge-iN' (지식인) launched in 2002. The term has since been genericized to refer to both the platform and its expert users.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in South Korea to refer to Naver's Knowledge-iN service or its active participants. Avoid using in formal writing unless referring to the platform specifically.