배신자
baesinja[pɛɕʰiɲd͡ʑa̠]
The English word 'traitor' is translated into Korean as 배신자 (baesinja). Wiktionary also lists 배반자 (baebanja) and 매국노 (maegungno).
Meaning: one who betrays, a betrayer (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 배신자 | baesinja | [pɛɕʰiɲd͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞ɕʰiɲd͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 배반자 | baebanja | [ˈpɛ(ː)ba̠ɲd͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈpe̞(ː)ba̠ɲd͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 매국노 | maegungno | [ˈmɛ(ː)ɡuŋno̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈme̞(ː)ɡuŋno̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 국적 | gukjeok | [kuk̚t͡ɕ͈ʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
배신자 is generally used when referring to significant acts of betrayal, such as betraying one's country, organization or principles.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 배신자 is composed of 배신 (betrayal) and 자 (person/suffix for a person who does something).
Which one should you use?
While 배신자 is a general term for any betrayer, 매국노 specifically refers to a traitor who sells out their country. Additionally, 배반자 is a more formal or literary synonym for 배신자, often used in written contexts or more dramatic storytelling.
How do you pronounce it?
baesinja
What mistakes should you avoid?
The word 국적 (nationality) should not be used to mean 'traitor'. It refers to the legal status of belonging to a nation.
Did you know?
- In Korean, 배신자 is frequently used in romantic contexts to describe a partner who cheats. While it means 'traitor', in a dating context it is the common way to call someone a 'cheater'.
- The term 매국노 contains the character 노, which historically refers to a slave or servant. This adds a heavy layer of contempt, implying the traitor is not just a criminal but someone of the lowest social status.
- The word 국적 can mean both 'nationality' and 'traitor' depending on the Chinese characters used. While they sound the same, one refers to citizenship and the other to a 'national enemy'.
Examples in context
- 조국을 배신한 인간은 징벌받아야 한다.A person who betrays their country must be punished.
- 그녀는 내 친구를 배신자 취급해.She treated my friend like a traitor.
- 그는 친구를 버린 배신자다.geuneun chingureul beorin baesinja-da.He is a traitor who abandoned his friend.
- 배신자를 용서할 수는 없다.baesinjareul yongseohal suneun eopda.One cannot forgive a traitor.
- 그 영화의 악당은 배신자였다.geu yeonghwaui akdang-eun baesinja-yeotda.The villain in that movie was a traitor.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are discussing a plot twist in a drama.
- 민준 Min-jun드라마 주인공이 배신자였어!deurama juin-gong-i baesinjayeosseo!The main character in the drama was the traitor!
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말? 너무 충격적이야.jeongmal? neomu chunggyeokjeogiya.Really? That is so shocking.
- 민준 Min-jun서연아, 너도 이 반전이 믿기니?Seoyeon-a, neo-do i banjeoni mitgini?Seoyeon, can you believe this twist too?
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준아, 나는 전혀 예상 못 했어.Minjun-a, naneun jeonhyeo yesang mot haesseo.Minjun, I did not expect it at all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traitor” translations and entries 배신자, 배반자, 매국노, 국적, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 국적, 매국노, 배반자, 배신자, CC BY-SA 4.0.
