바보
babo[ˈpa̠(ː)bo̞]
The English word 'dumb' can be translated into Korean as 바보 (babo).
The term 바보 is a popular word used to mean 'dumb' or 'fool'. While it can be used to call someone a fool, it is frequently used in a playful or affectionate way between close friends or couples to mean 'silly' or 'dummy'.
Meaning: stupid (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 바보 is relatively mild and often playful, the word 멍청이 is a much harsher and more direct insult meaning 'idiot' or 'moron'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Grammatically, 바보 is a noun meaning 'fool' or 'idiot'. To use the word as a true adjective to describe a noun, such as 'a dumb person', you should use the form 바보 같은.
How do you pronounce it?
babo
Did you know?
- The word might stem from a Chinese term for 'eight months', referencing a baby born prematurely and thus being 'foolish'.
- The suffix '-보' in 바보 is actually a derogatory label for someone who does too much of a certain thing, such as 먹보 for a glutton.
- Depending on the intonation, 바보 can shift from a playful tease to a genuine insult without any change in the word itself.
Examples in context
- 모든 노랑머리는 바보가 아니야.Not all blondes are dumb.This sentence shows how to use 바보 when making a general statement about a group.Tatoeba #4962246 by okugi99, translation #1979554 by AryKiss
- 그는 어리석은 짓을 했다.He did a dumb thing.
- 사실을 알고도 멍청하게 행동하다.To act dumb despite knowing the truth.
- 그는 정말 바보야.geu-neun jeong-mal ba-bo-ya.He is a real dummy.
- 내가 바보였어.nae-ga ba-bo-yeoss-eo.I was a fool.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mistake one of them made.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연아, 너 정말 바보 같아.seo-yeon-a, neo jeong-mal ba-bo gat-a.Seoyeon, you are acting like such a dummy.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아, 내가 진짜 바보였어.ma-ja, nae-ga jin-jja ba-bo-yeoss-eo.You're right, I was a real fool.
- 지훈 Ji-hun괜찮아, 실수할 수도 있지.gwaen-chan-ha, sil-su-hal su-do it-ji.It's okay, anyone can make a mistake.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈아, 고마워.ji-hun-a, go-ma-wo.Jihoon, thanks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 바보, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 바보, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
