바보
babo[ˈpa̠(ː)bo̞]
The Korean word for stupid is 바보 (babo).
바보 is a common term used to mean a fool or an idiot. Depending on the context, it can be used as a playful tease between friends or as a mild insult.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
바보 is an informal term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word can be modified to change its grammatical function in a sentence. To use it as an adjective modifying a noun, add 같은 to create 바보 같은, which means 'like a fool'. To use it as an adverb meaning 'stupidly' or 'like a fool', add the suffix -같이 to create 바보같이. You can also create a noun meaning 'a stupid act' or 'a foolish deed' by adding the suffix -짓 to create 바보짓. To address someone directly as a fool, you can add the particle -야 to create 바보야.
How do you pronounce it?
babo
Did you know?
- Some scholars suggest that 바보 might have originated from the word for 'rice', 밥, implying a person who does nothing but eat.
- In Korean romantic culture, 바보 is frequently used as a term of endearment. Calling a partner a 'fool' can be a way of expressing affection or reacting to a sweet, clumsy gesture.
- The suffix -보 in 바보 is a common way in Korean to create a noun that describes a person with a specific habit, such as 먹보 for a glutton.
Examples in context
- 바보 같은 짓 좀 그만해.Stop being stupid.This sentence shows the use of 바보 to describe a stupid action.Tatoeba #11106566 by intertime, translation #3419612 by Hybrid
- 넌 왜 그렇게 바보같이 굴어?Why are you acting so stupid?This sentence shows how to use 바보같이 to describe acting in a certain way.Tatoeba #8363190 by Eunhee, translation #7737513 by CK
- 우리 좀 바보짓을 해야할 것 같아.I think we should do something stupid.This sentence uses 바보짓 to refer to a foolish deed.Tatoeba #8360561 by Eunhee, translation #1444225 by CM
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are joking around at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun너 진짜 바보 아니야?neo jin-jja ba-bo a-ni-ya?Are you really a fool?
- 민준 Min-jun나 안 바보야!na an ba-bo-ya!I'm not stupid!
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 왜 실수했어?geu-reom wae sil-su-haet-eo?Then why did you make a mistake?
- 민준 Min-jun그냥 좀 정신이 없었어.geu-nyang jom jeong-sin-i eop-seot-eo.I was just a bit distracted.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 바보, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 바보, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
