선배
seonbae[sʰʌ̹nbɛ]
The Korean word for sunbae is 선배 (seonbae).
선배 refers to an upperclassman or senior, in the context of Korea (noun).
Meaning: upperclassman or senior, in the context of Korea (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
seonbae
When do people say it?
In Korean social hierarchy, the term 선배 implies a relationship where the senior may provide guidance or mentorship to the junior. A male can use 형 to address a male sunbae with seniority in age.
Did you know?
- In many Korean social settings, a 선배 is often expected to pay for the meal or drinks for their 후배 as a way of showing mentorship and care.
- A person can be a 선배 based on their entry date into a company regardless of their actual age. This means a younger person can be the 선배 of an older colleague.
- The character 배 in 선배 originally meant 'group' or 'cohort', suggesting that a 선배 is someone who belongs to an earlier 'class' or 'batch' of people.
Examples in context
- 그분은 정말 멋진 선배예요.geubun-eun jeongmal meotjin sunbae-ye-yo.He is a really cool senior.
- 선배님, 식사하셨어요?sunbae-nim, siksa-hasyeosseoyo?Senior, have you eaten?
- 저는 학교 선배에게 조언을 들었어요.jeoneun hakgyo sunbae-ege joeon-eul deureosseoyo.I received advice from a school senior.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihoon are talking in the university hallway.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 선배, 오늘 바쁘세요?Jihoon sunbae, oneul bappeuseyo?Jihoon sunbae, are you busy today?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 왜요, 서연 씨?Aniyo, waeyo, Seoyeon ssi?No, why, Seoyeon?
- 서연 Seo-yeon커피 한 잔 마시고 싶어서요.keopi han jan masigo sipeoseoyo.I wanted to grab a cup of coffee.
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요, 같이 가요.Joayo, gachi gayo.Sure, let's go together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunbae” translations and entries 선배, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 선배, CC BY-SA 4.0.
