바
ba[pa̠]
In Korean, the English phrase 'bar' is translated as 바. Wiktionary also lists 술집 (suljip) and 퍼브 (peobeu).
Meaning: business licensed to sell intoxicating beverages (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 바 | ba | [pa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 술집 | suljip | [sʰuʎt͡ɕ͈ip̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 퍼브 | peobeu | [pʰʌ̹bɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 바 is a loanword used most commonly to describe modern, western-style cocktail bars or lounge-style settings.
Which one should you use?
술집 is a general term for any drinking establishment or liquor store. In contrast, 바 specifically refers to a western-style bar. If you are referring to a pub-style setting, which often implies a more casual or British-style environment, you should use 퍼브. Additionally, the informal term 호프집 specifically refers to a bar that serves beer on tap, often accompanied by simple food like sausages or fried chicken.
How do you pronounce it?
ba
Did you know?
- While 바 is now a loanword for a cocktail bar, in Middle Korean, 바 was an indigenous word meaning 'place' or 'thing'.
- Drinking culture in a 술집 often involves 'round' culture, where one person pays for the entire group for that session, and another person pays the next time.
- In Korea, 호프집 are famous for a specific pairing of draft beer and fried chicken, often referred to as 'chi-maek'.
Examples in context
- 그는 바에 앉아 있었다.He was sitting in the bar.This sentence shows the use of 바 to indicate a location.Tatoeba #11278919 by JJ_Leonidas, translation #8277190 by Amastan
- 바에서 쫓겨난 적 있어?Have you ever been kicked out of a bar?This sentence uses 바 in the context of being kicked out of an establishment.Tatoeba #13192427 by SN_H, translation #8569396 by CK
- 톰은 바에 있다.Tom is at the bar.This sentence shows someone being at a 바.Tatoeba #11105163 by intertime, translation #1868225 by CK
- 맥주집에서 함께 한잔 할까요?Shall we have a drink together at the bar?
- 주점에서 조용히 술 한 잔 할 수 있을까요?Can I have a quiet drink at the bar, please?
- 오늘 저녁에 술집에서 놀까?How about hanging out at a bar tonight?
- 호프집에서 시원한 맥주 한 잔 마시자!Let's have a refreshing beer at the Hof (beer) bar!
Example conversation
Minji and Jihoon are deciding where to go for a drink.
- 민지 Min-ji오늘 저녁에 분위기 좋은 바에 갈래요?oneul jeonyeoge bunwigi joeun ba-e gallaeyo?Do you want to go to a bar with a good atmosphere tonight?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요. 아는 바가 있어요?joayo. aneun ba-ga isseoyo?Sounds good. Do you know any bars?
- 민지 Min-ji집 근처에 조용한 바가 하나 있어요.jip geuncheoe joyonghan ba-ga hana isseoyo.There is a quiet bar near my house.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 거기로 가요, 민지 씨.geureom geogiro gayo, Minji ssi.Then let's go there, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bar” translations and entries 바, 술집, 퍼브, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 바, 술집, 퍼브, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
