Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 바보 | babo | [ˈpa̠(ː)bo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 백치 | baekchi | [pɛk̚t͡ɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞k̚t͡ɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 등신 | deungsin | [ˈtɯ(ː)ŋɕʰin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 천치 | cheonchi | [t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɲt͡ɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, terms for an idiot range from lighthearted teasing to harsh insults. 바보 is a versatile and common term that can mean anything from a silly dummy to a mild insult. It is also used affectionately between close friends or lovers to mean 'silly'. In contrast, 멍청이 is an informal term specifically for someone who is not very clever.
Which one should you use?
바보 is the most common and colloquial term, suitable for everything from playful teasing to mild insults. 등신 is much harsher slang that implies the person is a useless or pathetic fool. For more formal or literary contexts, 백치 is a clinical term describing a profound lack of intelligence or a 'blank' mind, while 천치 is a formal or archaic-sounding term often found in literature to emphasize profound stupidity.
How does it change in a sentence?
When calling someone an idiot directly in an informal setting, the particle –야 is added to 바보 to create the vocative form 바보야.
How do you pronounce it?
babo
When do people say it?
Because 바보 can be used affectionately to mean 'silly' or 'dummy' between lovers and close friends, it carries a social nuance of closeness that the harsher terms like 등신 do not possess.
Did you know?
- The harsh insult 등신 is actually derived from the word for a 'deity' or 'spirit'. It originally referred to a physical figurine used in rituals, which people viewed as useless because it could not move or act.
- One theory regarding the origin of 바보 is that it may be a corruption of the word for 'rice', 밥. This would suggest the term originally meant someone who does nothing but eat.
Examples in context
- 이 바보야!You idiot!This example shows how to use the vocative form 바보야 to call someone an idiot.Tatoeba #8363308 by Eunhee, translation #418475 by Scott
- 부시는 바보가 아니다.Bush is not an idiot.Tatoeba #3681015 by ssuss32, translation #2575982 by Amastan
- 너 바보 아냐!You are not an idiot!Tatoeba #911514 by Sudajaengi, translation #2880176 by Efsun
- 그 사람은 정말로 바보였어요.That person was truly an idiot.
- 너 왜 그렇게 멍청해?Why are you being so stupid?
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about a silly mistake Minjun made.
- 민준 Min-jun내가 실수했어. 정말 창피해.Naega silsuhaesseo. Jeongmal changpihae.I made a mistake. I'm so embarrassed.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준, 정말 바보 같아!Minjun, jeongmal babo gata!Minjun, you're such an idiot!
- 민준 Min-jun그렇게 말하지 마.Geureoke malhaji ma.Don't say that.
- 수빈 Su-bin장난이야, 너무 속상해하지 마.Jangnaniya, neomu soksanghaehaji ma.I'm joking, don't be too upset.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idiot” translations and entries 바보, 백치, 등신, 천치, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 등신, 바보, 백치, 천치, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
