배
bae[pɛ]
The English word boat can be translated into Korean as 배 (bae) or 보트.
Meaning: water craft (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 배 | bae | [pɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 보트 | boteu | [po̞tʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
배 is the general term for a water craft, vessel or ship. It is also used in the idiom 같은 배를 타다, which literally means 'to ride the same boat' but is used to say that people are in the same difficult or shared situation. 보트 is a loanword used specifically for smaller, recreational or motorized boats.
Which one should you use?
While 배 is the native Korean word for any vessel, 보트 is a loanword specifically used for smaller, recreational or motorized boats.
How do you pronounce it?
bae
Did you know?
- The word 배 is a homonym that also means 'stomach' and 'pear'. Context is essential to know if you are talking about a vessel, a fruit or a body part.
- The written record of 배 meaning a boat can be traced back to the year 1103 in a text called the 계림유사.
- In the 15th century, the word for boat 배 was written as ᄇᆡ〮 and included a specific tone mark that no longer exists in modern Korean.
Examples in context
- 우리는 같은 배를 탔다.We're in the same boat.This sentence shows how to use 배 in the idiom meaning being in the same situation.Tatoeba #6305260 by Queserasera, translation #248444 by CM
- 우리는 모두 같은 배를 탔다.We're all in the same boat.Tatoeba #6305266 by Queserasera, translation #2163047 by erikspen
- 톰과 마리는 같은 배를 탔다.Tom and Mary are in the same boat.Tatoeba #6305276 by Queserasera, translation #1164534 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are watching the ocean from a pier.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 저 배를 보세요.Su-bin ssi, jeo bae-reul bo-se-yo.Subin, look at that boat.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 멋진 배네요!Jeong-mal meot-jin bae-ne-yo!It is a really cool boat!
- 민준 Min-jun우리도 저 배를 타 볼까요?U-ri-do jeo bae-reul ta bol-kka-yo?Shall we try riding that boat too?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요, 민준 씨.Jo-a-yo, Min-jun ssi.That sounds good, Minjun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boat” translations and entries 배, 보트, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 배, 보트, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
