불공평한
bulgongpyeonghan
The English word 'unfair' is translated into Korean as 불공평한 (bulgongpyeonghan).
Meaning: not fair (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use 불공평한 when you are modifying a noun. If you want to state 'it is unfair' as a complete sentence, use the form 불공평하다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the adjective is 불공평하다, which is used as a verb-like predicate in sentences. Changing the ending to –게 turns the adjective into an adverb meaning 'unfairly'.
How do you pronounce it?
bulgongpyeonghan
Did you know?
- In Korean gaming and internet culture, the slang term 갑질 is often used to describe unfair treatment. It refers to a person in a position of power, the 갑, abusing their status to treat others unfairly.
- While 불공평한 describes a lack of equity, Koreans often use the word 억울하다 to express the emotional feeling of being treated unfairly. There is no direct English equivalent for 억울하다, as it combines 'unfair' with a sense of frustration and helplessness.
- The term 불공평한 is a compound of 불 meaning 'not', 공 meaning 'public', and 평 meaning 'flat' or 'even'. It literally describes a state where the 'public level' has been broken.
Examples in context
- 이 회사에서 임금이 너무 불공정해요.The wages at this company are very unfair.
- 그 판결은 불공정하다고 생각해요.I think that judgment is unfair.
- 그 코치는 학생들에게 불공평하게 대해요.That coach treats the students unfairly.
- 그 상황은 불공평한 경쟁을 불러왔어요.That situation brought about unfair competition.
- 너네 팀이 불공평하게 이겼어!Your team won unfairly!
- 수업 시간이 짧아서 불공평해.It's unfair that the class time is so short.
- 이 게임의 규칙은 불공평한 것 같아요.i geim-ui gyuchik-eun bulgongpyeonghan geot gat-ayo.I think the rules of this game are unfair.
- 그 결정은 정말 불공평한 처사예요.geu gyeoljeong-eun jeongmal bulgongpyeonghan cheosa-yeyo.That decision is a truly unfair treatment.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a recent school assignment.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이번 시험 채점 방식이 너무 불공평한 것 같아.ibeon siheom chaeyeom bangsik-i neomu bulgongpyeonghan geot gat-a.I think this exam grading method is too unfair.
- 민지 Min-ji도현아, 왜 그렇게 생각해?Dohyeon-a, wae geureoke saenggak-hae?Dohyeon, why do you think so?
- 도현 Do-hyeon공부한 내용이 전혀 안 나왔거든.gongbu-han naeyong-i jeonhyeo an nawatt-geodeun.Because what we studied didn't come out at all.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 불공평한 일이네.jeongmal bulgongpyeonghan il-ine.That really is an unfair thing.
