깡패
kkangpae[k͈a̠ŋpʰɛ]
The English word gangster can be translated into Korean as 깡패 (kkangpae) or 폭력배.
Meaning: street gang member (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 깡패 | kkangpae | [k͈a̠ŋpʰɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [k͈a̠ŋpʰe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 폭력배 | pongnyeokbae | [pʰo̞ŋɲʌ̹k̚p͈ɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pʰo̞ŋɲʌ̹k̚p͈e̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to a street gang member.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 폭력배 is composed of 폭력, meaning violence and 배, meaning member or group, literally translating to a member of a violent group.
Which one should you use?
깡패 is a common, colloquial term for a gangster or thug, frequently seen in everyday speech or media. In contrast, 폭력배 is a more descriptive term used to specify a violent gang member.
How do you pronounce it?
kkangpae
Did you know?
- The word 깡패 is a 'Konglish' hybrid, merging the English word 'gang' with the Korean word 패 for group.
- If you are describing a movie about a mobster, you might see the word 조폭 used instead, which is a common abbreviation for 'organized violent group'.
- The term 배 in 폭력배 acts as a suffix that classifies a specific 'kind' of person, often carrying a derogatory warning to stay away from them.
Examples in context
- 갱스터가 도시의 범죄 문제에 많은 영향을 미칩니다.Gangsters have a significant impact on the city's crime issues.
- 조폭들은 주로 마약 밀매와 금융 범죄로 알려져 있습니다.Gangsters are known primarily for drug trafficking and financial crimes.
- 그는 깡패들과 함께 자동차 약탈 사건을 계획했습니다.He planned a car robbery incident with the gangsters.
- 그는 악당으로 알려진 범죄자입니다.He is a criminal known as a gangster.
- 그 사람은 깡패예요.geu saram-eun kkangpae-ye-yo.That person is a gangster.
- 진짜 깡패를 봤어요.jinjja kkangpae-reul bwas-seo-yo.I saw a real gangster.
- 동네에 깡패가 많아요.dongne-e kkangpae-ga man-a-yo.There are many gangsters in the neighborhood.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 도현 Do-hyeon영화 속 깡패들이 너무 무서웠어요.yeonghwa sok kkangpae-deuri neomu museowosseoyo.The gangsters in the movie were so scary.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 정말 험악해 보였어요.majayo, jeongmal heomakhae boyeosseoyo.You're right, they looked really menacing.
- 도현 Do-hyeon현실에서도 깡패를 만나면 어떡하죠?hyeonsir-eseodo kkangpaereul mannamyen eotteokhajyo?What should we do if we meet a gangster in real life?
- 지은 Ji-eun그냥 빨리 도망가야 해요.geunyang ppalli domang-gaya haeyo.We should just run away quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gangster” translations and entries 깡패, 폭력배, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 깡패, 폭력배, CC BY-SA 4.0.
