How to Say "Principal" in Korean

교장

gyojang[ˈkjo(ː)d͡ʑa̠ŋ]

The English word 'principal' (meaning the chief administrator of a school) is 교장 (gyojang) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 학교 교장 (hakgyo gyojang).

Meaning: chief administrator of a school (noun)

Ways to say it

“principal” in Korean
Korean	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
교장	gyojang	[ˈkjo(ː)d͡ʑa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)
학교 교장	hakgyo gyojang

The term is used to refer to the head of a school. If you are looking for the adjective 'primary' or 'main', you should use 주요하다 instead.

교장 refers specifically to the principal, whereas 교감 is the term used for a vice-principal.

gyojang

The 'long' character 長 used in 교장 is also the same character used to describe the 'eldest' or 'oldest' in a family hierarchy.
In many Korean schools, the principal is often addressed by their title 교장선생님 rather than just the noun 교장 to show proper respect.
The character 장 in 교장 is used in many other leadership roles, such as 시장 for 'mayor' and 총장 for 'university president'.

교장 선생님은 친절해요.
gyojang seonsaengnim-eun chinjeolhaeyo.
The principal is kind.
우리 학교 교장은 엄격해요.
uri hakgyo gyojang-eun eomgyeokhaeyo.
Our school's principal is strict.
교장 선생님이 말씀하셨어요.
gyojang seonsaengnim-i malsseumhasyeosseoyo.
The principal spoke.

Two students are talking in the hallway.

지은 Ji-eun

민준 씨, 교장 선생님실이 어디예요?
Minjun ssi, gyojang seonsaengnim-sil-i eodiyeyo?
Minjun, where is the principal's office?
민준 Min-jun

본관 1층에 있어요.
bongwan il-cheung-e isseoyo.
It's on the first floor of the main building.
지은 Ji-eun

왜 교장 선생님을 찾아가세요?
wae gyojang seonsaengnim-eul chajagaseyo?
Why are you looking for the principal?
민준 Min-jun

서류를 제출해야 하거든요.
seoryu-reul jechul-haeya hageodeunyo.
Because I have to submit some documents.

Sources

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