Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 놈 | nom | [no̞m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 녀석 | nyeoseok | [ɲʌ̹sʰʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the term used to describe a male depends heavily on the speaker's intent and the social relationship between people. While 남자 애 is an informal way to say 'boy' or 'guy', other specific terms like 녀석 and 놈 carry different emotional weights. For a more sophisticated or refined 'guy', one might use the term 신사, which refers to a gentleman.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ significantly in tone. 녀석 is a neutral or even affectionate way to say 'guy' or 'fellow', frequently used by adults when referring to a boy or a younger male in a friendly or slightly patronizing manner. In contrast, 놈 is an informal term that carries a derogatory or dismissive nuance, often used as a rude way to say 'guy' or even 'bastard'.
How do you pronounce it?
nom
Did you know?
- In its earliest recorded forms in the 15th century, 놈 did not necessarily exclude women and could simply mean a 'person' of any gender.
- While 놈 is often a rude way to say 'guy', close male friends often use it with each other to signal a deep, casual bond.
- In certain contexts, 녀석 can be used to describe a cute or mischievous animal, effectively calling a pet a 'little guy'.
Examples in context
- 톰은 별난 녀석이야.Tom is quite a guy.This sentence shows how to use 녀석 to describe someone's character.Tatoeba #8367071 by Eunhee, translation #8366902 by CK
- 그 남자는 매우 친절합니다.That guy is very kind.
- 그 놈은 정말 나빠요.geu nom-eun jeongmal nappayo.That guy is really bad.
- 저 놈 누구야?jeo nom nuguya?Who is that guy?
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-u are talking about a rude person they met.
- 지은 Ji-eun그 놈 정말 무례하지 않아?geu nom jeongmal muryehaji ana?Isn't that guy really rude?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 정말 최악이었어.eung, jeongmal choeagieosseo.Yeah, he was the worst.
- 지은 Ji-eun다시는 보고 싶지 않아.dasineun bogo sipji ana.I never want to see him again.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나도 마찬가지야, 지은아.nado machangajiya, Jieun-a.Me too, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “guy” translations and entries 놈, 녀석, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 녀석, 놈, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
