바보
babo[ˈpa̠(ː)bo̞]
The phrase 'stupid person' in Korean is 바보 (babo).
바보 means 'stupid person' or 'fool'. It is often used affectionately between close friends or couples to mean 'silly' or 'dummy'.
Which one should you use?
While 바보 is relatively mild, 멍청이 is a harsher and more insulting way to call someone an idiot.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing someone directly as a 'fool' in an informal setting, the particle –야 is often added to the end of 바보.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [babo].
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that 바보 might be a shortened version of the word for 'rice', 밥, implying a person who 'only eats' and does nothing else.
- The second part of 바보, the suffix -보, is a common way in Korean to create a person-centered noun from a specific trait, such as in 먹보 (meokbo) for a 'glutton'.
- While 바보 is often used playfully between lovers, using it toward a stranger or a superior can still be perceived as a significant loss of face.
Examples in context
- 나를 바보라고 부르지 마.nareul barorago bureuji ma.Don't call me a stupid person.
- 그는 진짜 바보예요.geuneun jinjja baboyeyo.He is a real stupid person.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are teasing each other about a silly mistake.
- 지은 Ji-eun너 진짜 바보구나!neo jinjja baboguna!You are such a stupid person!
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니야, 실수한 거야.aniya, silsuhan geoya.No, I just made a mistake.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨는 가끔 바보 같아요.Do-hyeon ssineun gakkeum babo gatayo.Do-hyeon, you are sometimes a stupid person.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨도 똑같으면서.Ji-eun ssido ttokgat-eumyeonseo.You are the same, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 바보, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 바보, CC BY-SA 4.0.
