관리자
gwallija[kwa̠ʎʎid͡ʑa̠]
The English word 'supervisor' is translated into Korean as 관리자 (gwallija).
관리자 is a general term used to describe a supervisor or a manager.
Meaning: a person with the official task of overseeing the work of a person or group etc. (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 관리자 is a general term for a supervisor or manager, in a specific corporate hierarchy, a direct superior is more commonly referred to as 상사.
How do you pronounce it?
gwallija
Did you know?
- The word 관리 inside 관리자 can also mean 'maintenance' or 'care'. For example, 피부 관리 refers to skincare, treating the skin as something that needs a 'supervisor' or manager.
- In Korea, the relationship with a 상사 often extends beyond the office through 회식, or company dinners. These outings are frequently seen as an extension of work where the supervisor's presence is required.
- In a Korean office, calling your supervisor by their title, such as 팀장님 (team leader) or 과장님 (manager), is often more common than using their actual name.
Examples in context
- 이 문제를 제 상사와 얘기하고 싶어요.I want to discuss this matter with my supervisor.
- 새로 오신 상사님은 매우 능률적이세요.The new supervisor is very efficient.
- 관리자가 누구예요?gwan-ri-ja-ga nu-gu-ye-yo?Who is the supervisor?
- 그는 건물 관리자입니다.geu-neun geon-mul gwan-ri-ja-im-ni-da.He is the building supervisor.
- 관리자에게 확인을 받아야 해요.gwan-ri-ja-e-ge hwa-gin-eul ba-da-ya hae-yo.You need to get confirmation from the supervisor.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are at a large office building.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 여기 관리자가 어디에 있어요?Min-ji ssi, yeo-gi gwan-ri-ja-ga eo-di-e is-seo-yo?Minji, where is the supervisor here?
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 관리자분은 지금 회의 중이에요.Ji-hun ssi, gwan-ri-ja-bun-eun ji-geum hoe-ui jung-i-e-yo.Jihoon, the supervisor is in a meeting right now.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 언제 다시 와야 해요?Geu-reom eon-je da-si wa-ya hae-yo?Then when should I come back?
- 민지 Min-ji한 시간 뒤에 오시면 돼요.Han si-gan dwi-e o-si-myeon dwae-yo.You can come back in an hour.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 관리자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
