대비
daebi
The English phrase "queen dowager" is translated into Korean as 대비 (daebi).
Meaning: widow of a king (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 대비 refers to the widow of a king, the term 왕비 refers to the reigning queen consort.
How do you pronounce it?
daebi
Did you know?
- During the Joseon period, the 대비 exercised 'regency' through a process called 수렴청정, where she ruled from behind a silk screen to hide her face from male officials.
- While 대비 is the general term, a queen dowager who is the grandmother of the current king is given the even higher title of 대왕대비, meaning 'Great Royal Queen Dowager'.
- The term 대비 comes from the Chinese characters for 'great' and 'imperial concubine', indicating the elevated status the woman achieved after her husband's death.
Examples in context
- 대비의 명령을 받들어야 합니다.daebi-ui myeongnyeong-eul batdeuryeoya hamnida.We must obey the queen dowager's command.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a historical drama.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 드라마에 나오는 대비가 정말 무서워요.I deurama-e naoneun daebiga jeongmal museowo-yo.The queen dowager in this drama is really scary.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요, 권력이 아주 강하시더라고요.Majayo, gwollyeogi aju ganghasideoragoyo.You're right, she has a lot of power.
- 도현 Do-hyeon왕과 대비가 계속 싸우네요.Wang-gwa daebiga gyesok ssau-neyo.The king and the queen dowager keep fighting.
- 민지 Min-ji결말이 어떻게 될지 궁금해요.Gyeolmari eotteoke doelji gung-geumhaeyo.I wonder how it will end.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 대비, CC BY-SA 4.0.
