상사
sangsa[sʰa̠ŋsʰa̠]
The English word 'boss' can be translated into Korean as 상사 (sangsa) or 보스.
Meaning: person in charge (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 상사 | sangsa | [sʰa̠ŋsʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈsʰa̠(ː)ŋsʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 보스 | boseu | [po̞sʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
상사 is the professional term used to describe a superior or a person of higher rank within a workplace hierarchy. While it is the standard way to refer to a boss, it is important to note that in actual Korean workplace conversation, people rarely call their boss 상사 to their face. Instead, they typically use the person's specific job title followed by a polite suffix.
Which one should you use?
상사 is the standard, professional term for a superior. In contrast, 보스 is a loanword from English and is often used in more casual, cinematic or stylized contexts, such as referring to a gang leader or a 'big boss'.
How do you pronounce it?
sangsa
Did you know?
- In Korean company culture, people often use the term 꼰대 to describe a boss who is overly rigid or demands obedience based on age.
- If you see the word 상사 (喪事) in a news report, it might actually be referring to a funeral or a person's passing rather than a workplace superior.
- The loanword 보스 is frequently used in Korean gaming culture to describe the final, most powerful enemy of a level.
Examples in context
- 톰의 상사는 정말 화가 났다.Tom's boss was really angry.This sentence shows how to use 상사 when describing a boss's emotional state.Tatoeba #8533641 by Eunhee, translation #8126729 by Hybrid
- 내 상사는 자기가 신인 줄 알아.My boss thinks he's God.This sentence uses 상사 to describe a boss's behavior.Tatoeba #8363258 by Eunhee, translation #7681605 by DanielDaniel
- 그는 내 상사였다.She was my boss.This sentence shows how to use 상사 when referring to someone in the past tense.Tatoeba #8408624 by Eunhee, translation #2797242 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a new manager at work.
- 서연 Seo-yeon새로 오신 상사는 어떤 분이에요?saero osin sangsaneun eotteon bunieyo?What is the new boss like?
- 민준 Min-jun정말 친절한 상사예요.jeongmal chinjeolhan sangsaye-yo.He is a very kind boss.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨 상사가 잘해주니 다행이네요.Minjun ssi sangsaga jalhaejuni dahaengineyo.I'm glad your boss is nice to you, Minjun.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 그래서 일할 맛이 나요.ne, geuraeseo ilhal masi nayo.Yes, so I feel motivated to work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boss” translations and entries 상사, 보스, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 보스, 상사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
