가수
gasu[ka̠sʰu]
The Korean word for singer is 가수 (gasu).
가수 is used to refer to a person who sings. It is a generic term that can apply to any gender.
Meaning: person who sings (male or generic term) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The first part, 가 (歌), means song and the second part, 수 (手), means person or expert/hand.
Which one should you use?
While 가수 refers to a professional singer, if you want to provide a more literal description of a person who sings, you would use 노래하는 사람.
How do you pronounce it?
gasu
When do people say it?
When addressing or talking about a professional singer to show respect and courtesy, you can add the honorific suffix 님 to create 가수님.
Did you know?
- While 가수 describes the profession, the Korean music industry often distinguishes between a 가수 and an 아이돌 'idol', as the latter implies a specific training system and fan culture.
- The character 수 in 가수 is the same one used in the word for 'hand', such as in 박수, which means 'applause' or 'clapping'.
- The word 가수 can be used in the phrase 트로트 가수 to describe singers of 'Trot', a traditional Korean genre of pop music that is immensely popular among older generations.
Examples in context
- 내가 좋아하는 가수는 탈리아야.Thalia's my favorite singer.This sentence is useful for identifying a favorite singer using 가수.Tatoeba #4950381 by rainbow4us, translation #4410355 by mervert1
- 내 꿈은 유명한 가수가 되는 것이야.My dream is to become a famous singer.This sentence is useful for expressing a dream to become a 가수.Tatoeba #8363646 by Eunhee, translation #3554817 by Hybrid
- 내가 좋아하는 가수는 카일리 미노그야.My favorite singer is Kylie Minogue.Tatoeba #4950383 by rainbow4us, translation #755861 by CN
- 이번 콘서트에서 가수들이 훌륭한 공연을 펼쳤어요.The singers put on a fantastic performance at this concert.
- 이 가수는 매년 수많은 음반을 발매합니다.This singer releases numerous albums every year.
- 많은 가수들이 이 음악대상에 참석했어요.Many singers attended this music award ceremony.
- 그녀는 항상 파워풀하게 노래하는 사람이에요.She is always a powerful singer.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are talking about a music concert.
- 민지 Min-ji이 가수는 노래를 정말 잘해요.I gasuneun noraereul jeongmal jalhaeyo.This singer is really good at singing.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 목소리가 아주 멋있어요.Majayo, moksoriga aju meosisseoyo.That's true, the voice is very cool.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨는 어떤 가수를 좋아해요?Dohyun ssineun eotteon gasureul joahae-yo?Dohyun, which singer do you like?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 잔잔한 노래를 부르는 가수가 좋아요.Jeoneun janjanhan noraereul bureuneun gasuga joayo.I like singers who sing calm songs.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “singer” translations and entries 가수, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
