가위바위보
gawibawibo[ka̠ɥiba̠ɥibo̞]
In Korean, rock paper scissors is 가위바위보 (gawibawibo). If unsure, use 가위바위보. Wiktionary also lists 가위주먹 (gawijumeok) and 주먹가위 (jumeokgawi).
Meaning: popular child's game (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가위바위보 | gawibawibo | [ka̠ɥiba̠ɥibo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ka̠yba̠ybo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 가위주먹 | gawijumeok | [ka̠ɥid͡ʑumʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ka̠yd͡ʑumʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 주먹가위 | jumeokgawi | [t͡ɕumʌ̹k̚k͈a̠ɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕumʌ̹k̚k͈a̠y] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 돌가위보 | dolgawibo | [to̞ɭɡa̠ɥibo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [to̞ɭɡa̠ybo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
North Korea |
The phrase is used to name the popular children's game. It is commonly used to settle minor disputes or to decide who goes first in a game, such as in the expression 가위바위보로 정하자 (Let's decide with rock paper scissors).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 가위바위보 is composed of the words for scissors (가위), rock (바위) and paper (보).
Which one should you use?
The default form is 가위바위보. Other variations include 가위주먹 and 주먹가위.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the form 돌가위보 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
gawibawibo
When do people say it?
When playing the game, Koreans often chant the words rhythmically as 가위, 바위, 보! to time the reveal of their hand gestures.
Did you know?
- The word 보 does not actually mean 'paper' but refers to a 褓, which is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth used to store items.
- In Korea, 가위바위보 is used by adults in professional and social settings to make fair decisions, not just by children.
- Koreans may play a 'survival' version of 가위바위보 where a large group competes until only one winner remains.
Examples in context
- 가위바위보 해서 이겼어!gawi-bawi-bo hae-seo i-gyeot-eo!I won by playing rock paper scissors!
- 우리 가위바위보 할까?u-ri gawi-bawi-bo hal-kka?Shall we play rock paper scissors?
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are deciding who goes first in a game.
- 지훈 Ji-hun누가 먼저 할까?nu-ga meon-jeo hal-kka?Who goes first?
- 서연 Seo-yeon가위바위보로 정하자.gawi-bawi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja.Let's decide with rock paper scissors.
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아, 가위바위보!jo-a, gawi-bawi-bo!Okay, rock paper scissors!
- 서연 Seo-yeon내가 이겼다!nae-ga i-gyeot-da!I won!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rock paper scissors” translations and entries 가위바위보, 가위주먹, 주먹가위, 돌가위보, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가위바위보, 가위주먹, 돌가위보, 주먹가위, CC BY-SA 4.0.
