가위바위보
gawibawiboeveryday
In Korean, "rock, paper, scissors" is 가위바위보 (gawibawibo). The name lists the three hands in order: 가위 (gawi) is scissors, 바위 (bawi) is rock and 보 (bo) is paper.
Players say 가위바위보! together and show their hands on 보. Koreans use it for small choices such as who pays, who goes first or who gets the last snack. Korean variety shows, including those with idol groups like BTS, often use it for game segments.
Meaning: hand game (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
Say it quickly as "gah-wee-bah-wee-boh".
When do people say it?
A tie is followed by 아이 비 비 in some places, but the common reply to a tie is simply to say 가위바위보 again.
Did you know?
- 가위바위보 is built from three nouns and has no verb. To play it you say 가위바위보 하다 (gawibawibo hada).
Examples in context
- 가위바위보로 정하자.gawibawiboro jeonghaja.Let us decide with rock, paper, scissors.
- 가위바위보! 내가 이겼다!gawibawibo! naega igyeotda!Rock, paper, scissors! I won!
- 누가 먼저 할지 가위바위보 하자.nuga meonjeo halji gawibawibo haja.Let us play rock, paper, scissors to see who goes first.
Example conversation
Brothers Taemin and Hojun decide who washes the dishes.
- Taemin누가 설거지 할까?nuga seolgeoji halkka?Who will wash the dishes?
- Hojun가위바위보 하자.gawibawibo haja.Let us play rock, paper, scissors.
- Taemin가위바위보! 내가 졌네.gawibawibo! naega jyeonne.Rock, paper, scissors! I lost.
