군인
gunin[kunin]
The Korean word for soldier is 군인 (gunin). Wiktionary also lists 병사 (byeongsa).
Meaning: member of an army (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 군인 | gunin | [kunin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 병사 | byeongsa | [pjʌ̹ŋsʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
군인 is the standard term used in formal contexts, news reports and official documents to describe members of the armed forces. It is a general term for anyone in the military.
Which one should you use?
While 군인 is a broad term for military personnel, 병사 refers more specifically to a private, a common soldier or an individual soldier in a combat role.
How do you pronounce it?
gunin
Did you know?
- Because of the strict hierarchy, soldiers use a highly specialized version of formal speech called 다나까, where sentences almost always end in ~다 or ~까.
- In Korean pop culture and dramas, characters often use the term 군필 to indicate they have 'completed' their service, which is a vital piece of biographical information.
- Korean has a specific term, 예비군, for 'reserve soldiers' who must periodically return to training after their active service ends, a common part of adult life.
Examples in context
- 군인이었던 적 있어?Have you ever been a soldier?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever held the status of a 군인.Tatoeba #8362314 by Eunhee, translation #7269162 by CarpeLanam
- 제 친구는 육군의 군인입니다.My friend is a soldier in the army.
- 나의 형은 육군 군인이야.My brother is an army soldier.
- 제 꿈은 멋진 군인이 되는 거예요.je kkum-eun meot-jin gun-in-i doe-neun geo-ye-yo.My dream is to become a cool soldier.
- 그는 나라를 지키는 군인이에요.geu-neun na-ra-reul ji-ki-neun gun-in-i-e-yo.He is a soldier who protects the country.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about career paths at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨는 군인이 되고 싶어요?min-jun ssi-neun gun-in-i doe-go si-peo-yo?Minjun, do you want to be a soldier?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 저는 군인이 되고 싶어요.ne, jeo-neun gun-in-i doe-go si-peo-yo.Yes, I want to be a soldier.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 멋진 결심이네요.jeong-mal meot-jin gyeol-sim-i-ne-yo.That is a really cool decision.
- 민준 Min-jun감사합니다. 열심히 준비할게요.gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeol-sim-hi jun-bi-hal-ge-yo.Thank you. I will prepare hard.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soldier” translations and entries 군인, 병사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
