부통령
butongnyeong[ˈpu(ː)tʰo̞ŋɲʌ̹ŋ]
The English phrase "vice president" is translated into Korean as 부통령 (butongnyeong). Wiktionary also lists 부대통령 (budaetongnyeong).
Meaning: deputy to a president (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 부통령 | butongnyeong | [ˈpu(ː)tʰo̞ŋɲʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 부대통령 | budaetongnyeong | North Korea |
In a political context, 부통령 is the term for a vice president who serves as a deputy to a president. In professional and corporate settings, different titles are used depending on the specific role. For example, 부사장님 is a common way to refer to a vice president or assistant director within a company, while 차장님 is used for a vice president or deputy manager in business environments.
Which one should you use?
While 부통령 refers specifically to a political vice president, it is part of a wider linguistic pattern where the prefix 부 (bu-) signifies a 'deputy' or 'assistant', such as in the term for vice chairman, 부회장.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 부대통령 is used in North Korea, whereas 부통령 is the standard term used in South Korea.
How do you pronounce it?
butongnyeong
Did you know?
- South Korea does not currently have a 부통령 because the country abolished the office of the vice presidency in 1960.
- The term 부통령 is built from Hanja characters that literally translate to 'the one who assists in commanding and leading'.
- In South Korean companies, the title 부사장 may not actually function as a 'vice president' in the Western sense but can instead be a senior rank among many executives.
Examples in context
- 오늘 회의에서는 차장님이 중요한 발표를 할 예정입니다.The vice president will make an important presentation at today's meeting.
- 형은 회사에서 부회장으로 승진했어요.My older brother got promoted to the position of vice president in the company.
- 우리 회사의 부대표가 일본 출장을 다녀왔어요.Our company's vice president came back from a business trip to Japan.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are discussing the news.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 뉴스 봤어요? 부통령이 바뀌었대요.Dohyun ssi, nyuseu bwasseoyo? butongryng-i bakkwieotdaeyo.Dohyun, did you see the news? I heard the vice president changed.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 누가 새로운 부통령이 되었나요?jeongmallyo? nuga saeroun butongryng-i doeon-nayo?Really? Who became the new vice president?
- 민지 Min-ji아직 공식 발표는 안 나왔어요.ajik gongshik balpyo-neun an nawasseoyo.There hasn't been an official announcement yet.
- 도현 Do-hyeon빨리 소식을 알고 싶네요.ppalli sosig-eul algo sipneyo.I want to know the news quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vice president” translations and entries 부통령, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 부통령, CC BY-SA 4.0.
