재판관
jaepan'gwan[t͡ɕɛpʰa̠nɡwa̠n]
In Korean, the English phrase "judge" (referring to a public judicial official) can be translated as 재판관 (jaepan'gwan). Wiktionary also lists 법관 (beopgwan).
Meaning: public judicial official (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 재판관 | jaepan'gwan | [t͡ɕɛpʰa̠nɡwa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕe̞pʰa̠nɡwa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 법관 | beopgwan | [pʌ̹p̚k͈wa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
While 판사 is the standard word used to refer to a judge in a courtroom setting, 재판관 is a term mostly found in specific legal or official settings and is less common in daily conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 재판관 is composed of 재판, meaning trial or judgment and 관, meaning official. The word 법관 is composed of 법, meaning law and 관, meaning official.
Which one should you use?
판사 is the most common everyday term used to refer to a judge in a courtroom. In contrast, 재판관 and 법관 are more formal terms for a judicial official.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the verb form "to sit in judgment on" or "to act as a judge," you can use the phrase 판사를 보다.
How do you pronounce it?
jaepan'gwan
Did you know?
- In Korean dramas and films, you will often hear the word 판사님 instead of 판사. Adding the honorific suffix -님 is almost mandatory when addressing a judge directly to avoid being perceived as rude.
- South Korea uses a professional judge system, but the term 재판관 is specifically prominent when referring to the nine justices of the Constitutional Court of Korea.
- In the Korean legal system, judges are often referred to by their title rather than their name, as using a name alone would be an extreme breach of social hierarchy.
Examples in context
- 판사님께서 목격자들의 증언을 듣고 있습니다.The judge is listening to the testimonies of the witnesses.
- 판사의 결정은 법으로 인정받아야 합니다.The judge's decision must be recognized by law.
- 영화 속 재판관의 열정에 감동했다.I was moved by the passion of the judge in the movie.
- 재판관이 판결을 내렸다.The judge has made the ruling.
- 그분은 공정한 재판관입니다.geubun-eun gongjeong-han jaepan-gwan-imnida.He is a fair judge.
- 재판관의 결정이 내려졌습니다.jaepan-gwan-ui gyeoljeong-i naeryeojyeotseumnida.The judge's decision has been made.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are talking about a law movie they watched.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo영화 속 재판관이 정말 엄격하더라.yeonghwa sok jaepangwani jeongmal eomgyeokhadera.The judge in the movie was really strict.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아, 하지만 아주 공정했어.maja, hajiman aju gongjeonghaesseo.True, but he was very fair.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나도 그런 재판관을 만나고 싶어.nado geureon jaepangwaneul mannago sipeo.I want to meet a judge like that too.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럴 일이 없기를 바라자.geureol iri eopgireul baraja.Let's hope that never happens.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “judge” translations and entries 재판관, 법관, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
