병역
byeong'yeok[pjʌ̹ŋjʌ̹k̚]
The English phrase "military service" is translated into Korean as 병역 (byeong'yeok). Wiktionary also lists 군역 (gunyeok).
Meaning: service in an army (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 병역 | byeong'yeok | [pjʌ̹ŋjʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 군역 | gunyeok | [kuɲʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 병역 refers to service in an army. When discussing the legal duty or obligation to serve in the military, the phrase 병역 의무 is commonly used.
Which one should you use?
병역 is the standard, modern term used in legal, official and everyday contexts to refer to military service obligations.
How do you pronounce it?
byeong'yeok
Did you know?
- In South Korea, the concept of 병역 is so central to social identity that it is often a primary topic in dating and marriage discussions.
- The word 병역 is a Sino-Korean term derived from the Chinese characters 兵 meaning 'soldier' and 役 meaning 'labor' or 'service'.
- The term 군역 is rarely used in modern conversation and is instead found almost exclusively in historical dramas or textbooks discussing the Joseon dynasty.
Examples in context
- 모든 남성은 20세에 군 복무를 해야 합니다.All men must serve in the military at the age of 20.
- 형이 군대에서 무슨 일을 하고 있는지 알고 있니?Do you know what my older brother is doing in the military?
- 너도 언제 군 가는 거야?When are you going to join the military?
- 병역 의무를 다해야 합니다.byeong-yeok ui-mu-reul da-hae-ya ham-ni-da.You must fulfill your military service obligation.
- 그는 병역 문제를 해결했습니다.geu-neun byeong-yeok mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-haet-seum-ni-da.He resolved his military service issues.
- 병역을 이행하는 것은 중요합니다.byeong-yeok-eul i-haeng-ha-neun geo-seun jung-yo-ham-ni-da.Performing military service is important.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about their future plans.
- 민준 Min-jun저는 곧 병역을 시작해요.Jeoneun got byeongyeogeul sijakhaeyo.I'm starting my military service soon.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 언제 가세요?Jeongmallyo? Eonje gaseyo?Really? When are you going?
- 민준 Min-jun다음 달에 입대합니다.Daeum dare ipdaehapnida.I enlist next month.
- 수빈 Su-bin몸 건강히 잘 다녀오세요.Mom geonganghi jal danyeooseryo.Please go and come back healthy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “military service” translations and entries 병역, 군역, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 군역, 병역, CC BY-SA 4.0.
