택시 기사
taeksi gisa
The English phrase taxi driver is translated into Korean as 택시 기사 (taeksi gisa) or 택시 운전사.
Meaning: person who drives a taxicab (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 택시 기사 | taeksi gisa |
| 택시 운전사 | taeksi unjeonsa |
Both terms refer to a person who drives a taxicab.
Which one should you use?
택시 기사 is the most common way to refer to a taxi driver in everyday conversation. 택시 운전사 sounds slightly more formal or descriptive, often used in written contexts or when emphasizing the profession of driving.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a taxi driver directly, you should use 기사님 instead of the plain noun to be polite.
How do you pronounce it?
taeksi gisa
When do people say it?
When speaking to the driver, use the polite form 기사님 to show respect.
Did you know?
- The word 기사 used in 택시 기사 is a homonym with several meanings, including 'knight' and 'professional gamer' in the context of Go.
- In Korean society, taxi drivers are often viewed as informal city guides or sources of local gossip, making 기사님 a common starting point for discovering hidden local gems.
- While 택시 기사 uses the word 기사 for driver, this same word is also used to mean a 'journalist' or 'reporter' in Korean.
Examples in context
- 그는 수년간 택시 운전사로 일해 왔기에 이 도시를 잘 안다.Having worked for several years as a taxi driver, he knows the city well.This sentence shows how someone's experience as a 택시 운전사 helps them know a city.Tatoeba #11104558 by intertime, translation #10324476 by sundown
- 택시 기사님이 친절하셨어요.taeksi gisanim-i chinjeol-hasyeosseoyo.The taxi driver was kind.
- 우리 아버지는 택시 기사예요.uri abeoji-neun taeksi gisayeyo.My father is a taxi driver.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are waiting for a ride.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo택시 기사님이 곧 도착하신대요.taeksi gisanimi got dochakhasindaeyo.They say the taxi driver will arrive soon.
- 지은 Ji-eun다행이다, 정말 오래 기다렸어요.dahaeng-ida, jeongmal orae gidaryeosseoyo.Thank goodness, I've waited a long time.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저기 택시 기사님이 오시네요.jeogi taeksi gisanimi osineyo.Look, the taxi driver is coming over there.
- 지은 Ji-eun빨리 타러 가요, 현우 씨.ppalli tareo gayo, hyeonu ssi.Let's go get in quickly, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “taxi driver” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 기사, 운전사, 택시, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
