불공평해
bulgongpyeonghae
The English phrase 'not fair' is translated into Korean as 불공평해 (bulgongpyeonghae).
The phrase is used to complain that a situation or treatment is not based on equality or justice.
What does it mean word for word?
The root of the phrase is 불공평, which means unfairness.
Which one should you use?
You might also use 불공정해 to express the idea of being 'unfair' or 안 공평해 as an informal alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal expression, you can use 공정하지 않다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of this phrase is 불공평하다. To make the phrase polite and suitable for use with people you are not close to or in formal settings, you can add the suffix –요 (-yo) to the end to get 불공평해요.
How do you pronounce it?
bulgongpyeonghae
Did you know?
- While 불공평해 is common, a Korean speaker might express a sense of 'unfairness' by saying 억울해 (eogulhae) if the injustice actually caused them personal suffering or a sense of being wronged.
- In Korean, the concept of fairness is deeply tied to the Hanja word 平 (pyeong), which literally translates to 'flat' or 'level'. To say something is fair is to say it is 'level' or 'even'.
- The term 공평 (gongpyeong) is shared across several East Asian languages, stemming from a shared history of Confucian philosophy on social justice.
Examples in context
- 회사에서 동료에게 더 많은 혜택을 주는 것은 공정하지 않다.It is not fair to give more benefits to a colleague at work.
- 국가에서 성별에 따라 취업 기회를 제한하는 것은 불공평하다.It is unfair for the country to restrict employment opportunities based on gender.
- 그 영화 관람료 인상은 너무 불공정해!The increase in movie ticket prices is so unfair!
- 그건 너무 불공평해.geugeon neomu bulgongpyunhae.That is so unfair.
- 결과가 너무 불공평해.gyeolgwa-ga neomu bulgongpyunhae.The result is so unfair.
- 규칙이 불공평해 보여.gyuchigi bulgongpyunhae boyeo.The rules look unfair.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing the rules of a board game.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 게임 규칙은 너무 불공평해.i geim gyuchik-eun neomu bulgongpyunhae.The rules of this game are so unfair.
- 수빈 Su-bin왜 그렇게 생각해?wae geureoke saenggak-hae?Why do you think so?
- 도현 Do-hyeon내 차례를 건너뛰었잖아.nae charye-reul geonneot-tieotjana.You skipped my turn.
- 수빈 Su-bin미안해, 다시 할게.mianhae, dasi halge.Sorry, I will do it again.
