오류
oryu[ˈo̞(ː)ɾju]
The English word glitch translates to Korean as 오류 (oryu).
오류 is a noun that refers to a problem, bug, imperfection or quirk. In formal or technical settings, such as software or system documentation, it is more natural to use the verb 발생하다 (to occur) with the noun to say that an error occurred (오류가 발생하다).
Meaning: problem, bug, imperfection, quirk (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'glitch' can sometimes imply a minor or temporary hiccup, 오류 is a broader term used to cover any logical error, system mistake or formal error. Additionally, in specific technical contexts like digital art, gaming or video editing, the transliterated loanword 글리치 is frequently used to refer specifically to visual or auditory artifacts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that a glitch or error exists, you use the particle 가 with the verb 있다 to form the phrase 오류가 있다 (there is an error).
How do you pronounce it?
oryu
Did you know?
- The word 오류 is composed of two Hanja characters: 'mis' (誤) and 'fallacy' (謬). This means the term is deeply rooted in classical Chinese logic rather than modern digital terminology.
- When a system 'glitches' in a way that causes it to freeze or crash, Koreans often use the slang term 렉 from the English word 'lag'. This is used even if the problem is a software error rather than a network delay.
- The word 오류 is more formal than the common word 실수, which describes a human 'mistake'. Using 오류 to describe a person's social blunder would sound like you are treating the human as a computer program.
Examples in context
- 오늘 시스템에 장애가 발생했습니다.A glitch occurred in the system today.
- 게임에 버그가 있어서 진행이 멈췄어.The game had a glitch, so the progress stopped.
- 게임에 버그가 발생했어요.A glitch occurred in the game.
- 시스템에 장애가 있었습니다.There was a glitch in the system.
- 시스템에 작은 오류가 있어요.siseuteme jageun oryuga isseoyo.There is a small error in the system.
- 이 프로그램은 오류가 자주 발생해요.i peurogeuraemeun oryuga jaju balsaenghaeyo.This program has errors frequently.
- 어제 게임에서 오류를 발견했어요.eoje geimeseo oryureul balgyeonhaesseoyo.I found a bug in the game yesterday.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a video game together.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은, 캐릭터가 벽에 끼었어!jieun, kaerikteoga byeoge kkieosseo!Jieun, the character is stuck in the wall!
- 지은 Ji-eun어, 게임에 오류가 있나 봐요.eo, geime oryuga inna bwayo.Oh, I think there's a glitch in the game.
- 도현 Do-hyeon다시 시작하면 괜찮을까?dasi sijakhamyeon gwaenchaneulkka?Will it be okay if we restart?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 도현 씨. 다시 해봐요.ne, dohyun ssi. dasi haebwayo.Yes, Dohyun. Let's try it again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 오류, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 오류, CC BY-SA 4.0.
