배낭
baenang[ˈpɛ(ː)na̠ŋ]
The English word 'backpack' can be translated into Korean as 배낭 (baenang), 륙색 or 백팩.
Meaning: worn on a person's back, e.g., for hiking (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 배낭 | baenang | [ˈpɛ(ː)na̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈpe̞(ː)na̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 륙색 | ryuksaek | [ɾjuks͈ɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ɾjuks͈e̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 백팩 | baekpaek | [pɛk̚pʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞k̚pʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The terms are used to describe items worn on a person's back, such as those used for hiking.
Which one should you use?
배낭 is typically used for larger, more rugged backpacks used for hiking or camping. In contrast, 백팩 is a direct loanword from English and is the most common term used by younger generations for modern, everyday fashion or laptop backpacks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
륙색 is the term used in North Korea for a backpack.
How do you pronounce it?
baenang
Did you know?
- The word 배낭 shares its Chinese characters with a biological term meaning 'embryonic sac'.
- While 백팩 is a modern loanword, using 배낭 often evokes a specific cultural image of 'hiking culture' and the colorful outdoor gear worn by older Koreans.
- Younger Koreans almost exclusively use 백팩 for school or fashion, as using 배낭 might make them sound like they are preparing for a professional mountaineering expedition.
Examples in context
- 무거운 배낭을 메고 있어요.mugeoun baenang-eul mego isseoyo.I am wearing a heavy backpack.
- 등산할 때 쓸 배낭이 필요해요.deulsan-hal ttae sseul baenang-i piryohaeyo.I need a backpack to use when hiking.
- 그 배낭은 색깔이 아주 예뻐요.geu baenang-eun saekkkal-i aju yeppeoyo.That backpack's color is very pretty.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are preparing for a hiking trip.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 배낭 다 쌌어요?Seoyeon ssi, baenang da ssasseoyo?Seoyeon, did you pack your backpack?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 거의 다 했어요.Ne, geoui da haesseoyo.Yes, I'm almost done.
- 도현 Do-hyeon제 배낭도 좀 도와줄래요?Je baenangdo jom dowajullaeyo?Could you help me with my backpack too?
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋아요, 같이 해요.Joayo, gachi haeyo.Sure, let's do it together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “backpack” translations and entries 배낭, 륙색, 백팩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 륙색, 배낭, 백팩, CC BY-SA 4.0.
