패배자
paebaeja
The Korean word for 'loser' is 패배자 (paebaeja).
패배자 is used in serious or dramatic contexts to describe someone who has suffered a definitive defeat, such as in a competition or a life struggle.
Meaning: person who fails to win (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 패배, meaning defeat and the suffix 자, meaning person.
Which one should you use?
While 패배자 refers to a loser in a formal or literal sense, the slang term 루저 (the English loanword 'loser') is often used more colloquially to mock someone's social status or lifestyle.
How do you pronounce it?
paebaeja
Did you know?
- In gaming culture, Koreans often use the term 폐급 to describe a 'loser' teammate, which literally refers to scrap metal or items meant for disposal.
- The word 패배자 contains the Hanja character 敗, which depicts a person and a 'broken' or 'defeated' element, visually signaling a loss of integrity or wholeness.
- Korean has a specific term 찐따 used to describe a 'loser' in a school or social setting, which focuses on awkwardness and lack of social skills rather than a failure to win a contest.
Examples in context
- 저 경기에서는 그가 패자였어요.In that match, he was the loser.
- 그는 경기에 진 패배자일 뿐이다.geuneun gyeong-gi-e jin pae-bae-ja-il ppun-i-da.He is just a loser who lost the match.
- 나는 패배자가 되고 싶지 않다.na-neun pae-bae-ja-ga doe-go sip-ji an-ta.I do not want to be a loser.
- 패배자라고 해서 낙담할 필요는 없다.pae-bae-ja-ra-go hae-seo nak-dam-hal pil-yo-neun eop-da.There is no need to be discouraged just because you are a loser.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Ji-eun are talking about a lost game.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo결국 졌어. 난 정말 패배자야.gyeolguk jyeosseo. nan jeongmal paebaejaya.I lost in the end. I'm such a loser.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우, 그렇게 말하지 마.Hyun-woo, geureoke malhaji ma.Hyun-woo, don't say that.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo하지만 이번에도 졌잖아.hajiman ibeone-do jyeotjana.But I lost this time too.
- 지은 Ji-eun한 번 졌다고 패배자는 아니야.han beon jyeotdago paebaejaneun aniya.You aren't a loser just because you lost once.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 패배자, CC BY-SA 4.0.
