집사
jipsa[t͡ɕips͈a̠]
The Korean word for "butler" is 집사 (jipsa).
집사 refers to a chief male servant or a butler.
Meaning: chief male servant (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
jipsa
Did you know?
- Modern Korean culture uses 집사 as a slang term for 'cat owners'. Because cats are often seen as the masters of the house, the owners jokingly refer to themselves as the cats' 집사.
- The word 집사 is also the standard term used in many Korean Christian churches to refer to a 'deacon'.
- If you were to use 집사 in a traditional Korean household context, it might sound strangely Western or archaic, as historical Korean domestic staff had different titles.
Examples in context
- 고급 호텔에서 일하는 경험 있는 집사를 찾고 있습니다.I am looking for an experienced butler to work at a luxury hotel.
- 그는 저택의 집사예요.geuneun jeotaek-ui jipsa-yeyo.He is the butler of the mansion.
- 집사가 차를 가져왔어요.jipsaga chareul gajyeowasseoyo.The butler brought some tea.
- 영화 속 집사가 아주 멋져요.yeonghwa sok jipsaga aju meotjyeoyo.The butler in the movie is very cool.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are watching a movie about a mansion.
- 지훈 Ji-hun저 집사는 정말 똑똑하네요.jeo jipsaneun jeong-mal ttok-ttok-hane-yo.That butler is really smart.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요, 모든 것을 다 알아요.ma-ja-yo, modeun geoseul da ara-yo.Right, he knows everything.
- 지훈 Ji-hun집사가 없으면 집이 엉망일 거예요.jipsaga eop-seumyeon jibi eong-mang-il geo-ye-yo.The house would be a mess without the butler.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 완벽한 집사네요.jeong-mal wan-byeok-han jipsane-yo.He is truly a perfect butler.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butler” translations and entries 집사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
