복수
boksu[po̞ks͈u]
The English word 'revenge' can be translated into Korean as 복수 (boksu) or 보복.
Meaning: retaliatory action (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 복수 | boksu | [po̞ks͈u] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 보복 | bobok | [ˈpo̞(ː)bo̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the word for revenge depends on whether the action is personal or systemic. 복수 refers to personal or emotional revenge, often seen in stories or personal vendettas. 보복 refers to retaliation or reprisal within political, military or systemic contexts.
Which one should you use?
복수 is used for personal or emotional revenge, whereas 보복 is used for retaliation in political, military or systemic situations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn these nouns into verbs by adding the suffix –하다. For example, 복수하다 means 'to take revenge' and 보복하다 means 'to retaliate'.
How do you pronounce it?
boksu
Did you know?
- While 복수 is the standard word for revenge, Koreans sometimes use the phrase 한을 풀다 to describe releasing a deep-seated grievance or grudge.
- The word 복수 is a homonym with another word written as 복수 which means 'plural number' in grammar.
- In Korean legal contexts, 보복 운전 refers specifically to 'retaliatory driving', a crime where a driver aggressively threatens another after a road dispute.
Examples in context
- 복수하고 싶다.I want revenge.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal desire for revenge using 복수.Tatoeba #11106141 by intertime, translation #1887882 by CK
- 복수가 나를 유일하게 살리는 겁니다.Revenge is the only thing that keeps me alive.This sentence is useful for describing revenge as a driving force using 복수.Tatoeba #12385914 by exeunt404, translation #8500396 by bandeirante
- 당신이 한 일에 대해 복수할 것입니다!I will take revenge for what you did!
- 친구에게 배신당한 후에 그녀는 복수하길 원했습니다.She wanted to get even after being betrayed by her friend.
- 그는 완벽한 순간을 기다리며 꼼꼼하게 복수에 대한 계획을 세웠습니다.He planned his revenge meticulously, waiting for the perfect moment.
- 그는 복수를 다짐했다.geu-neun bok-su-reul da-jim-haet-da.He vowed revenge.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie plot.
- 도현 Do-hyeon주인공이 결국 복수에 성공했을까?juingong-i gyeolguk boksu-e seonggong-haesseulkka?Did the main character finally succeed in his revenge?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 아주 처절하게 복수했어.eung, aju cheojeol-hage boksu-haesseo.Yes, he took revenge very brutally.
- 도현 Do-hyeon결말이 정말 충격적이다.gyeolmal-i jeongmal chunggyeok-jeog-ida.The ending is really shocking.
- 민지 Min-ji그러게, 정말 무서운 이야기야.geureoge, jeongmal museoun iyagi-ya.I know, it's a really scary story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “revenge” translations and entries 복수, 보복, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 보복, 복수, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
