노트북
noteubuk[no̞tʰɯbuk̚]
The Korean word for laptop is 노트북 (noteubuk). It is also spelled 랩탑 (raeptap). Wiktionary also lists 랩톱 (raeptop).
Meaning: computing: a laptop computer (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 노트북 | noteubuk | [no̞tʰɯbuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 랩톱 | raeptop | [ɾɛp̚tʰo̞p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ɾe̞p̚tʰo̞p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 랩탑 | raeptap | [ɾɛp̚tʰa̠p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ɾe̞p̚tʰa̠p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
alternative form |
In Korean, a laptop computer is most commonly referred to as a 노트북. While there are transliterations of the English word 'laptop', they are less frequent in everyday speech.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 노트북 is a loanword directly derived from the English word 'notebook'.
Which one should you use?
While 랩톱 is a direct transliteration of the English word 'laptop', 노트북 (derived from 'notebook') is the much more common term used in daily conversation. 랩탑 is simply an alternative spelling of 랩톱.
How do you pronounce it?
noteubuk
Did you know?
- The prevalence of 노트북 over 랩톱 is partly due to the influence of Japanese, where the word ノートブック (nōtobukku) was adopted early on to describe portable computers.
- While 노트북 means 'laptop', the word for a paper notebook is 공책 (gong-chaek). This means Koreans use two entirely different words for a digital notebook and a physical one.
- The word 노트북 consists of four syllables, whereas the English word 'laptop' is only two. This reflects how Korean phonology adds vowels to consonants to fit the 한글 structure.
Examples in context
- 오피스에서 일할 때 노트북을 자주 사용해요.I often use a laptop when working at the office.
- 친구랑 게임하기 위해서 랩탑을 사야겠어.I need to buy a laptop to play games with my friend.
- 제 노트북은 어디에 있어요?je noe-but-eun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?Where is my laptop?
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-woo are at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 노트북 가져왔어요?Hyeon-u ssi, noteubuk gajyeowasseoyo?Hyeon-woo, did you bring your laptop?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 가방 안에 있어요.ne, gabang ane isseoyo.Yes, it's in my bag.
- 지은 Ji-eun같이 과제 확인해 봐요.gachi gwaje hwaginhae bwayo.Let's check the assignment together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요. 지금 꺼낼게요.joayo. jigeum kkeonaelgeyo.Okay. I'll take it out now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “laptop” translations and entries 노트북, 랩톱, 랩탑, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 노트북, 랩톱, CC BY-SA 4.0.
