검사
geomsa[ˈkɘ(ː)msʰa̠]
The Korean word for prosecutor is 검사 (geomsa).
The term 검사 refers specifically to a prosecuting attorney within a legal context, which distinguishes them from the police, known as 경찰.
Meaning: prosecuting attorney (noun)
Which one should you use?
You should use 검사님 when you are addressing a prosecutor directly.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a prosecutor directly, you add the honorific suffix –님 to the base word to form 검사님.
How do you pronounce it?
geomsa
Did you know?
- The word 검사 is a homonym with three different meanings. Depending on the characters used, it can mean a 'prosecutor', a 'medical checkup' or 'inspection', or even a 'swordsman'.
- In Korean pop culture and K-dramas, 검사 are often portrayed as possessing immense power because they traditionally hold the sole authority to request an indictment in the Korean legal system.
- In South Korea, the relationship between the 경찰 (police) and the 검사 (prosecutor) has historically been a point of intense political friction regarding who holds the ultimate power to investigate crimes.
Examples in context
- 저는 검사입니다.I am a prosecutor.
- 그는 유능한 검사입니다.geuneun yuneunghan geomsa-imnida.He is a competent prosecutor.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Ji-eun are talking about their career goals.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨는 나중에 뭐가 되고 싶어요?Ji-eun ssineun najunge mwo-ga doego sipeoyo?Ji-eun, what do you want to be in the future?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 검사가 되고 싶어요.jeoneun geomsaga doego sipeoyo.I want to be a prosecutor.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 멋진 목표네요!jeongmal meotjin mokpyoneyo!That is a really cool goal!
- 지은 Ji-eun감사합니다, 지훈 씨.gamsahamnida, Ji-hoon ssi.Thank you, Ji-hoon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prosecutor” translations and entries 검사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 검사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
