추장
chujang
The Korean word for chief is 추장 (chujang).
추장 is specifically used for the chief of a tribe or a primitive community.
Meaning: head of an organization (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 추장 refers to a tribal chief, the suffix –장 is used to denote the head of modern organizations, such as in 사장 (CEO) or 부장 (department head).
How do you pronounce it?
chujang
Did you know?
- The term 추장 is most commonly encountered by Koreans today in translated Western novels or movies featuring Native American chiefs.
- While 추장 is for tribes, the term 수장 is used for the 'head' or 'leader' of a political movement or a secret organization.
- Korean uses the suffix -장 for leaders of places, but the suffix -장 can also mean 'a place' or 'a field' in other contexts, such as in 운동장 (playground).
Examples in context
- 부장님, 오늘 회의가 있는지 알려주세요.Chief, please let me know if there's a meeting today.
- 그는 부족의 추장이다.geuneun bujokui chujang-ida.He is the chief of the tribe.
- 추장이 마을을 다스린다.chujangi maeureul daseurinda.The chief rules the village.
- 추장의 명령을 따르세요.chujangui myeongnyeongeul ttareuseyo.Follow the chief's orders.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a historical novel they are reading.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그 책의 주인공은 추장이야?geu chaegui juingong-eun chujang-iya?Is the protagonist of that book a chief?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 아주 강력한 추장이야.eung, aju gangnyeokhan chujang-iya.Yes, he is a very powerful chief.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지는 그 이야기가 재미있어?minjineun geu iyagiga jaemi-isseo?Minji, do you find that story interesting?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 정말 흥미진진해.eung, jeongmal heungmi-jinjinhae.Yes, it is really exciting.
