무죄의
mujuëui
In Korean, 'innocent' is 무죄의 (mujuëui).
This term is used specifically to describe someone who is not legally responsible for a wrongful act.
Meaning: not legally responsible for a wrongful act (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 무죄 specifically refers to legal innocence (not guilty of a crime), the word 결백하다 is used to describe a person's character or a situation being pure/innocent.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'is innocent' in a polite, standard way, you use the noun 무죄 with the copula 입니다.
How do you pronounce it?
mujuëui
Did you know?
- While 무죄 is used in court, Koreans often use the phrase 억울하다 to describe the feeling of being wrongly accused. This word captures a specific blend of unfairness and frustration that 'innocent' does not cover in English.
- The word 무죄 contains the character '죄', which means 'sin' or 'crime', making the term literally translate to 'no sin'.
- In many Korean legal dramas, when a judge announces someone is 'innocent', they use the short, powerful noun 무죄! rather than a full sentence.
Examples in context
- 그 친구는 정말 순진해 보여요.That friend really seems innocent.
- 네, 그래요. 항상 솔직하고 마음이 순수한 사람이에요.Yes, that's right. They are always honest and have a pure heart.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are discussing a recent court case.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 그 뉴스 봤어요?Jihun ssi, geu nyuseu bwasseoyo?Jihun, did you see that news?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 결국 무죄의 판결이 났더군요.ne, gyeolguk mujoe-ui pangyeol-i natdeogun-yo.Yes, in the end, a verdict of innocence was reached.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 다행이라고 생각해요.jeongmal dahaeng-irago saenggak-haeyo.I think it is a huge relief.
- 지훈 Ji-hun저도 그렇게 생각합니다.jeodo geureoke saenggak-hamnida.I think so too.
