괴롭히는 사람
goerophineun saram
The English word 'bully' can be translated into Korean as 괴롭히는 사람 (goerophineun saram). If unsure, use 괴롭히는 사람. Wiktionary also lists 깡패 (kkangpae).
Meaning: a person who is intentionally cruel to others (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 괴롭히는 사람 | goerophineun saram | |
| 깡패 | kkangpae | [k͈a̠ŋpʰɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [k͈a̠ŋpʰe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to a person who is intentionally cruel to others. A formal way to describe this behavior is someone who inflicts torment upon the weak (약자에 대한 괴롭힘을 하는 사람). To describe the act of bullying or harassing someone, use the verb 괴롭히다.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 괴롭히는 사람 is composed of the verb 괴롭히다, meaning to bother or torment and the noun 사람, meaning person.
Which one should you use?
괴롭히는 사람 is a descriptive way to refer to a bully based on their actions. In contrast, 깡패 is used when the person is perceived as a violent criminal or a street thug, focusing more on their status as a gangster.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
goerophineun saram
Did you know?
- While 괴롭히는 사람 describes the act of bullying, the term 갑질 describes a specific type of bullying where someone uses their higher social or professional rank to abuse a subordinate.
- Korean has a specific word, 왕따, to describe a person who is systematically bullied by being ostracized or ignored by an entire group.
- The word 깡패 is a linguistic hybrid, combining the English word 'gang' with the Korean word 패, which refers to a group or clique.
Examples in context
- 양아치 같은 놈은 잔인하게 괴롭히지 말아야 해.We shouldn't bully someone like a thug.
- 그는 남을 괴롭히는 사람이에요.geuneun nameul goeropineun saramieyo.He is a person who bullies others.
- 학교에 괴롭히는 사람이 있으면 말해줘.hakgyoe goeropineun sarami isseumyeon malhaejwo.If there is a bully at school, tell me.
- 괴롭히는 사람을 보면 도와야 해요.goeropineun sarameul bomyeon dowaya haeyo.You should help if you see a bully.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are talking about a classmate.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 저 학생은 왜 저렇게 행동하죠?Subin ssi, jeo haksaeng-eun wae jeoreoke haengdonghajyo?Subin, why is that student acting like that?
- 수빈 Su-bin그는 전형적인 괴롭히는 사람이에요.geuneun jeonhyeongjeogin goerophineun saram-ieyo.He is a typical bully.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 너무하네요. 도와줘야겠어요.jeongmal neomuhaneyo. dowajwoya-get-eoyo.That's too much. I should help.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 같이 가서 말해요.Hyunwoo ssi, gachi gaseo malhaeyo.Hyunwoo, let's go and talk to them together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bully” translations and entries 깡패, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 깡패, 사람, CC BY-SA 4.0.
