How to Read Percentages (%) in Korean Politics

Form (how to attach)

Always use Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼...) before 퍼센트peosenteu. There is usually no space between the number and the word in digital text, though a space is grammatically correct.

Meaning range (what it can/can’t mean)

It is the direct loanword for "percent." It is used in academic, official, and written reports. It cannot be used for "percentage points" (which is 퍼센트포인트peosenteupointeu).

Register (neutral/polite)

Neutral and formal. It is the safest choice for any written exam or official document.

Common mistakes (wrong → right)

• 스물 퍼센트seumul peosenteu → 이십 퍼센트isip peosenteu (20%)
• 마흔 퍼센트maheun peosenteu → 사십 퍼센트sasip peosenteu (40%)

Examples

• 지지율이 사십오 퍼센트입니다.jijiyuri sasibo peosenteuipnida. — The approval rating is 45%.
• 오십 퍼센트 이상의 찬성표를 얻었습니다.osip peosenteu isangui chanseongpyoreul eodeotseupnida. — Obtained more than 50% of the votes in favor.
• 물가가 삼 퍼센트 올랐습니다.mulgaga sam peosenteu olratseupnida. — Prices rose by 3%.
• 이십오 퍼센트의 확률입니다.isibo peosenteuui hwakryuripnida. — It is a 25% probability.
• 정확히 칠십 퍼센트입니다.jeonghwakhi chilsip peosenteuipnida. — It is exactly 70%.

Form (how to attach)

Like its counterpart, it attaches to Sino-Korean numbers. It originates from the Dutch word 'procent' via Japanese.

Meaning range (what it can/can’t mean)

It means exactly the same as 퍼센트peosenteu. However, it is much more common in spoken news reports and sports commentary.

Common mistakes (wrong → right)

Do not use 프로peuro when referring to a professional (that would be 프로선수peuroseonsu or just 프로peuro). In the context of numbers, it only means %.

Examples

• 시청률이 이십 프로를 넘었습니다.sicheongryuri isip peuroreul neomeotseupnida. — The viewership rating exceeded 20%.
• 할인율은 십 프로입니다.harinyureun sip peuroipnida. — The discount rate is 10%.
• 구십구 프로 확실합니다.gusipgu peuro hwaksilhapnida. — I am 99 percent sure.
• 삼십 프로 세일 중이에요.samsip peuro seil jungieyo. — It is on a 30 percent sale.
• 지지율이 오 프로 떨어졌습니다.jijiyuri o peuro tteoreojyeotseupnida. — The approval rating dropped by 5 percent.

Decision Tree: 퍼센트 vs 프로

1. Are you writing a formal thesis? → Use 퍼센트peosenteu.
2. Are you talking to a friend about a sale? → Use 프로peuro.
3. Are you reading a news script aloud? → Both are fine, but 프로peuro sounds more like a veteran anchor.