복사
boksa[po̞ks͈a̠]
To copy in Korean is 복사 (boksa).
The term 복사 is used to describe the act of producing something identical, whether you are referring to physical photocopying or the digital copying of files. To refer to the actual physical or digital object that has been produced, you use the term 복사본.
Meaning: produce something identical (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 복사 refers to the general act of copying, 모사 is a formal term used specifically for the artistic or technical reproduction of a work or object. Additionally, the term 복제 is rarely utilized in regular conversations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 복사 (copy) can be turned into the verb 'to copy' by adding the suffix –하다 to create 복사하다. To turn the root into a noun meaning 'the copy' (the resulting object), you add the suffix –본 to create 복사본.
How do you pronounce it?
boksa
Did you know?
- While 복사 is used for documents, Koreans use the word 따라 하다 to describe copying someone's behavior or speech.
- The word 복사 is a homonym that can also mean 'Buddhist monk' or 'abbot' depending on the Chinese characters used.
- Koreans use the term Ctrl+C as a standalone noun or verb in digital contexts to mean 'copying' instead of saying 복사하다.
Examples in context
- 당신은 복사본을 필요로 하십니까?Do you need a copy?
- 지난 주에 그 사진의 사본을 보냈어요.I sent a copy of that picture last week.
- 이 서류를 한 장 복사해 주세요.i seoryureul han jang boksa-hae juseyo.Please make a copy of this document.
- 복사가 제대로 되었나요?boksa-ga jedero doe-eot-nayo?Was the copy made correctly?
- 제 파일을 복사해서 보내드릴게요.je pail-eul boksa-haeseo bonae-deurilgeyo.I will copy my file and send it to you.
Example conversation
At the office, Seoyeon asks Jihun to help with some paperwork.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 이 보고서를 복사할 수 있어요?Jihun-ssi, i bogo-seo-reul boksa-hal su isseoyo?Jihun, can you copy this report?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 몇 장 복사할까요?Ne, myeot jang boksa-halkkayo?Yes, how many copies should I make?
- 서연 Seo-yeon다섯 장만 복사해 주세요.Daseot jang-man boksa-hae juseyo.Please make just five copies.
- 지훈 Ji-hun알겠습니다. 바로 할게요.Al-get-seumnida. Baro halgeyo.Understood. I will do it right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 복사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
