노예
noye[no̞je̞]
The Korean word for "slave" is 노예 (noye).
노예 refers to a person owned by another. It is used historically to describe actual chattel slavery, but it is also used metaphorically to describe someone stuck in an oppressive or repetitive situation, such as a "work slave" (일 노예).
Meaning: person owned by another (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
noye
Did you know?
- In Korean gaming culture, a 'slave' (노예) can refer to a low-level character or account used solely to gather resources for a more powerful main account.
- In Korean pop culture and internet slang, the word 노예 is frequently used in the context of 'fan slavery', where a devotee describes themselves as a slave to their favorite celebrity's talent.
- The term 노예 is distinct from 노비, the specific word for the hereditary slave class in the Joseon Dynasty, which functioned as a distinct social caste rather than just a legal status.
Examples in context
- 영화에서 노예제도에 대해 배우고 있어요.I am learning about the system of slavery in the movie.
- 전세계에서 노예제도는 금지되었습니다.Slavery has been abolished worldwide.
- 그는 노예처럼 일하고 있어요.geuneun noecheoreom ilhago isseoyo.He is working like a slave.
- 옛날에는 노예가 아주 많았습니다.yennareneun noeega aju manasseumnida.There were many slaves in the past.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Min-ji are discussing a history book.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 책은 노예의 삶에 대해 말해요.i chaegun noyeye sarm-e daehae malhaeyo.This book talks about the life of a slave.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 슬픈 이야기일 것 같아요.jeongmal seulpeun iyagi-il geot gatayo.I think it will be a very sad story.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 당시에는 노예가 많았어요.ne, dangsineun noyega manasseoyo.Yes, there were many slaves back then.
- 민지 Min-ji지금은 상상하기 어렵네요.jigeumeun sangsanghagi eoryeopneyo.It is hard to imagine now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slave” translations and entries 노예, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
