양성애자
yangseong-aeja
The English word 'bisexual' translates to the Korean term 양성애자 (yangseong-aeja).
양성애자 is used to refer to a person who is sexually attracted to both men and women.
Meaning: sexually attracted to both men and women (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 양성 meaning both sexes or dual nature, 애 meaning love or affection and 자 meaning person or agent.
Which one should you use?
While 양성애자 refers specifically to a bisexual person, the noun for the concept of bisexuality itself is 양성애. If you wish to use an adjective to describe a bisexual attraction, the form 양성애적 is often used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 양성애자 functions as a noun meaning 'a bisexual person' rather than acting strictly as an adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
yangseong-aeja
Did you know?
- While 양성애자 is the standard term, many LGBTQ+ people in Korea prefer the loanword 바이섹슈얼 to avoid the clinical tone of the Sino-Korean term.
- Because 양성 means 'dual', the term can occasionally be confused in non-LGBTQ+ contexts with terms referring to 'positive and negative' poles in electricity or magnetism.
- While 양성애자 is the formal term, the word 양성 (dual nature) is also used in chemistry to describe 'amphoteric' substances that can act as both an acid and a base.
Examples in context
- 그는 양성애자예요.geuneun yangseongaeja-yeyo.He is bisexual.
- 저는 스스로를 양성애자라고 생각해요.jeoneun seuseuro-reul yangseongaejarago saenggak-haeyo.I consider myself bisexual.
- 양성애자 친구가 있어요.yangseongaeja chin-gu-ga isseoyo.I have a bisexual friend.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their identities.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 혹시 양성애자예요?dohyeon ssi, hoksi yangseong-aejayeyo?Dohyun, by any chance, are you bisexual?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 맞아요. 저는 양성애자예요.ne, majayo. jeoneun yangseong-aejayeyo.Yes, that's right. I am bisexual.
- 서연 Seo-yeon솔직하게 말해줘서 고마워요.soljik-hage malhaejwoseo gomawoyo.Thank you for telling me honestly.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이해해줘서 고마워요, 서연 씨.ihae-haejwoseo gomawoyo, seoyeon ssi.Thank you for understanding, Seoyeon.
