가위바위보
gawibawibo[ka̠ɥiba̠ɥibo̞]
가위바위보 (gawibawibo) is the Korean phrase for scissors, paper, rock.
The phrase is used as a chant immediately before the players reveal their hand gestures to determine a winner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound of the words 가위 (scissors), 바위 (rock) and 보 (paper/cloth).
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to play rock-paper-scissors' as a verb phrase, you add the object marker and the verb 하다 (to do) to get 가위바위보를 하다.
How do you pronounce it?
gawibawibo
Did you know?
- The word 보 in 가위바위보 comes from the Hanja character 褓, which refers to a traditional wrapping cloth used for carrying goods, rather than modern paper.
- In South Korea, 가위바위보 is used not just as a children's game but as a legitimate way for adults to settle minor disputes or make fair decisions in professional and social settings.
- Unlike the English version which often follows the order of 'rock, paper, scissors', the Korean chant always places 'scissors' first with 가위.
Examples in context
- 가위 바위 보 할까?Shall we play Scissors, Paper, Rock?
- 우리 가위바위보로 정하자.uri gawi-bawi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja.Let's decide with rock, paper, scissors.
- 가위바위보 해서 이긴 사람이 해.gawi-bawi-bo hae-seo i-gin sa-ram-i hae.The person who wins rock, paper, scissors does it.
- 가위바위보 한판 할까?gawi-bawi-bo han-pan hal-kka?Shall we play a round of rock, paper, scissors?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding who will buy the snacks.
- 도현 Do-hyeon누가 살지 가위바위보 하자!nuga salji gawibawibo haja!Let's play rock paper scissors to see who pays!
- 지은 Ji-eun그래, 좋아. 가위바위보!geurae, joa. gawibawibo!Sure, okay. Rock paper scissors!
- 도현 Do-hyeon내가 이겼다!naega igyeotda!I won!
- 지은 Ji-eun아쉽다, 내가 질 줄 알았어.aswipda, naega jil jul arasseo.Too bad, I knew I would lose.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 가위바위보, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가위바위보, CC BY-SA 4.0.
