How to Say "Pepper Spray" in Korean

페퍼 스프레이

pepeo seupeurei

The English phrase "pepper spray" can be said in Korean as either 후추 스프레이 or 페퍼 스프레이 (pepeo seupeurei).

Meaning: non-lethal riot-control agent (noun)

Ways to say it

“pepper spray” in Korean
Korean	Romanization (Wiktionary)
페퍼 스프레이	pepeo seupeurei
후추 스프레이	huchu seupeurei

Both terms refer to a non-lethal riot-control agent.

For the term 후추 스프레이, 후추 means pepper and 스프레이 means spray.

후추 스프레이 is a literal translation of the English term, whereas 페퍼 스프레이 is a phonetic loanword from English.

pepeo seupeurei

In Korean culture, the 'pepper' in 후추 스프레이 specifically refers to black pepper, whereas the chemical agent used is actually derived from chili peppers, which are called 고추.
The word 후추 (pepper) contains the Hanja character 胡, which historically referred to 'barbarian' or 'foreign' peoples from Central Asia. This reflects how the spice was once viewed as an exotic import from the West.
In legal or police contexts in Korea, you are more likely to see the term 최루 스프레이 (tear spray) used instead of 'pepper spray'. 최루 refers specifically to something that induces tears.

가방에 페퍼 스프레이를 넣었어요.
gabang-e pepeo seupeurei-reul neoeosseoyo.
I put pepper spray in my bag.
페퍼 스프레이는 호신용으로 좋아요.
pepeo seupeurei-neun hosinyong-euro joayo.
Pepper spray is good for self-defense.
이 페퍼 스프레이는 효과가 강해요.
i pepeo seupeurei-neun hyogwa-ga ganghaeyo.
This pepper spray is very strong.

Minjun and Minji are shopping for safety items.

민준 Min-jun

민지야, 페퍼 스프레이 하나 살까?
Minji-ya, pepeo seupeurei hana salkka?
Minji, should we buy a pepper spray?
민지 Min-ji

응, 혼자 다니기 무서우니까 사자.
Eung, honja danigi museounikka saja.
Yes, let's buy one because I'm scared of walking alone.
민준 Min-jun

이 페퍼 스프레이가 제일 작네.
I pepeo seupeurei-ga jeil jak-ne.
This pepper spray is the smallest one.
민지 Min-ji

그래, 휴대하기 편해 보여.
Geurae, hyudae-hagi pyeonhae boyeo.
Right, it looks easy to carry around.

Sources

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