How to Say "Exile" in Korean - How To Say Guide

망명

mangmyeong[ma̠ŋmjʌ̹ŋ]

The English phrase "exile" is translated into Korean as 망명 (mangmyeong).

망명 refers to the act of leaving one's own country to escape danger or persecution in another country.

How do you pronounce it?

mangmyeong

The word 망명 is composed of two Hanja characters: 망 (亡), meaning 'to perish' or 'to lose', and 명 (命), meaning 'life'. Literally, it translates to 'losing one's life' or 'throwing away one's life'.
While 망명 is the formal term, people often use the word 탈북 specifically for those escaping North Korea, which literally means 'escaping the north'.
In a historical context, a different term, 유배, was often used for political exile within the country. While 망명 implies fleeing to a foreign land, 유배 refers to being sent to a remote area of one's own country as punishment.

그 작가는 독재 정권으로 인해 망명하였다.
That writer went into exile due to the dictatorship regime.
그 왕은 망명으로 인해 왕위를 내려놓았다.
The king abdicated the throne due to exile.
망명자들은 주로 다른 나라에서 안전과 보호를 찾는다.
Exiles often seek safety and protection in other countries.
포장마차 주인은 그 도시에서 추방되었다.
The owner of the street food stall was expelled from that city.
그 밴드의 멤버 한 명이 악행으로 인해 추방당했다.
One member of the band was exiled due to misbehavior.
그는 정치적 이유로 망명을 선택했다.
geuneun jeongchijeok iyuro mangmyeongeul seontaekhaetda.
He chose exile for political reasons.
그 가족은 망명을 결정했습니다.
geu gajogeun mangmyeongeul gyeoljeonghaesseumnida.
The family decided on exile.

Two friends are discussing a historical documentary.

지훈 Ji-hun

그 인물의 망명 이야기가 정말 슬펐어요.
geu inmuri mangmyeong iyagiga jeongmal seulpeosseoyo.
The story of that person's exile was really sad.
수빈 Su-bin

맞아요, 지훈 씨. 정말 안타까운 상황이었죠.
majayo, jihun ssi. jeongmal antakkaun sanghwangieotjyo.
That's true, Jihoon. It was a very regrettable situation.
지훈 Ji-hun

망명이 그에게 유일한 탈출구였을까요?
mangmyeongi geuege yuilhan talchulguyieosseulkkayo?
Was exile his only way out?
수빈 Su-bin

아마도 그랬을 거예요.
amado geuraesseul geoyeyo.
Perhaps it was.

Sources

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