승리
seungni[sʰɯŋni]
The Korean word for victory is 승리 (seungni).
승리 refers to the condition or state of having won a battle, a competition or having succeeded in an effort.
Meaning: condition or state of having won a battle or competition, or having succeeded in an effort, an instance of this (noun)
Which one should you use?
승리 refers to a grand or formal victory, whereas the verb 이기다 is the more common, everyday word used to say 'to win' a game or a match. Additionally, 우승 is used specifically when referring to being the champion or winning a competition.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 승리 as a verb meaning 'to win' or 'to achieve victory', you add the verb-forming suffix –하다 to create 승리하다.
How do you pronounce it?
seungni
Did you know?
- In Korean sports culture, the term 승리 often appears in the phrase 승리 요정, which means 'victory fairy'. This refers to a fan whose presence at a game is believed to bring a guaranteed win.
- The word 승리 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning it was borrowed from Chinese characters. In this case, the characters are 勝 for 'victory' and 利 for 'profit' or 'advantage'.
- In traditional Korean martial arts, victory is often framed not as the defeat of an opponent, but as 극기, which means 'overcoming oneself'.
Examples in context
- 승리는 우리의 것이다.The victory is ours.This sentence shows how to use 승리 to state that the victory belongs to us.Tatoeba #11105264 by intertime, translation #659536 by CK
- 우리는 큰 승리를 거뒀어요.We achieved a great victory.
- 그 팀은 이번 시즌에서 우승을 차지했어요.That team won the championship this season.
- 너 이겼어? 멋지다!You won? Awesome!
- 오늘 경기에서 우리팀이 완전 승리했어!Our team had a complete victory in today's match!
- 우리는 대승을 거둘 거야!We will achieve victory!
- 그 팀은 극적인 승리를 거두었습니다.geu tim-eun geukjeog-in seung-ri-reul geodueotseumnida.The team achieved a dramatic victory.
- 우리는 마침내 승리를 맛보았습니다.uri-neun machimnae seung-ri-reul matboatseumnida.We finally tasted victory.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Seo-yeon are discussing a sports match result.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo어제 경기 봤어? 정말 대단했지!eoje gyeonggi bwasseo? jeongmal daedanhaetji!Did you see the game yesterday? It was amazing!
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 예상치 못한 승리였어.eung, yesangchi mot han seungriyeosseo.Yes, it was an unexpected victory.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo선수들이 정말 열심히 뛰더라고.seonsudeuri jeongmal yeolsimhi ttideorago.The players really played their hearts out.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아, 그래서 더 기쁜 결과인 것 같아.maja, geuraeseo deo gippeun gyeolgwa-in geot gata.Right, that's why I think it's a more joyful result.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “victory” translations and entries 승리, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 승리, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
