군대
gundae[kundɛ]
The English word "military" translates to Korean as 군대 (gundae).
While 'military' is an adjective in English, 군대 is primarily used as a noun in Korean to mean 'the military' or 'the army'.
Meaning: (North America) relating to armed forces such as the army, marines, navy and air force (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 군대 is composed of the characters for "army" (군) and "group/gathering" (대).
Which one should you use?
To use 'military' as an adjective (e.g., 'military affairs' or 'military strength'), the term 군사적 is more appropriate than 군대. Additionally, the term 군사 is a formal term that specifically refers to military affairs.
How do you pronounce it?
gundae
Did you know?
- Korean has a specialized 'military speech' called 군대말, characterized by an extremely rigid set of honorifics and sentence endings that differ from standard polite Korean.
- In South Korea, the term 군대 can be used colloquially to describe a very strict or regimented environment, such as a workplace with a heavy hierarchy.
- Because of the mandatory conscription in South Korea, the word 군대 often carries a heavy emotional weight of duty or hardship in popular culture and songs.
Examples in context
- 대한민국의 군은 매우 강력하다.The military of the Republic of Korea is very powerful.
- 그 분야에서 공부한 분은 군사에 관심이 있을 것입니다.Those who have studied in that field will have an interest in military affairs.
- 형은 군대에 가기 전에 공부하고 싶어한다.My brother wants to study before going to the military.
- 그는 군인으로서 훌륭하게 병무를 수행했다.He performed his military duties excellently as a soldier.
- 그는 군대 생활을 좋아해요.geuneun gundae saenghwareul joahaeyo.He likes military life.
- 군대 관련 뉴스예요.gundae gwallyeon nyuseuyeyo.It is military-related news.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are talking about Dohyun's brother.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 형은 군대에 있어요?Dohyun ssi, hyeongeun gundae-e isseoyo?Dohyun, is your brother in the military?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 지금 군대에서 복무 중이에요.Ne, jigeum gundae-eseo bokmu jung-ieyo.Yes, he is serving in the military now.
- 수빈 Su-bin힘든 군대 생활을 잘 견디고 있겠죠?Himdeun gundae saenghwareul jal gyeondigo itgetjyo?He is enduring the tough military life well, right?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 아주 씩씩하게 잘 지내고 있어요.Ne, aju ssikssik-hage jal jinaego isseoyo.Yes, he is doing very well and bravely.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 군대, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
