Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 괴롭힘 | goerophim | |
| 이지메 | ijime | [id͡ʑime̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
괴롭힘 refers to persistent acts intended to make life unpleasant. You may also encounter the term 따돌림, which is frequently used alongside 괴롭힘 to describe the specific act of social bullying or 'leaving someone out' of a group. If the bullying involves physical violence, the verb 맞다 (to hit) can be used when describing physical bullying. A person affected by these actions is called a 피해자 (victim). To describe the action of harassing or bullying someone, you use the verb 괴롭히다.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 괴롭힘 is derived from the verb 괴롭히다, which means to torment, harass or trouble someone.
Which one should you use?
While 괴롭힘 is the standard Korean word for bullying, the loanword 이지메 (from the Japanese word 'ijime') is often used specifically in the context of social exclusion or group bullying in schools.
How do you pronounce it?
goerophim
Did you know?
- In workplace contexts, the term 갑질 (gapjil) is often used instead of 괴롭힘 to describe bullying that stems from a power imbalance between a superior and a subordinate.
- The verb 맞다 is used to describe the act of being hit, meaning a victim of physical bullying describes themselves as the one who 'received' the hit.
- While 괴롭힘 is the general noun, in modern Korean slang, the prefix 왕 (king) is sometimes added to describe a 'master' or 'leader' of bullying in a school setting.
Examples in context
- 따돌림과 괴롭힘은 이곳에선 허용되지 않아.Bullying and teasing aren't allowed here.This sentence is useful for expressing that bullying is not permitted in a specific location.Tatoeba #8567319 by Eunhee, translation #8567312 by CK
- 직장 내 괴롭힘은 큰 문제입니다.jikjang nae goerop-him-eun keun munje-imnida.Workplace bullying is a big problem.
- 그는 괴롭힘을 당해서 아주 힘들었어.geu-neun goerop-him-eul dang-haeseo aju himdeureosseo.He had a very hard time because of bullying.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are discussing a news report about school issues.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 뉴스 봤어요? 괴롭힘 사건이 많대요.Hyunwoo ssi, nyuseu bwasseoyo? goerophim sageoni mandeyo.Hyunwoo, did you see the news? They say there are many bullying cases.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 정말 안타까운 일이에요.ne, jeongmal antakkaun ire-yeyo.Yes, it is truly a sad thing.
- 민지 Min-ji우리는 괴롭힘을 절대 방관해서는 안 돼요.urineun goerophimeul jeoldae banggwanhayeoseun an dwaeyo.We must never ignore bullying.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요. 모두가 함께 노력해야 해요.majayo. moduga hamkke noryeokhaeya haeyo.That's right. Everyone needs to work together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bullying” translations and entries 이지메, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
