Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 우승자 | useungja | [usʰɯŋd͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 승리자 | seungnija | [sʰɯŋnid͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 수상자 | susangja | [sʰusʰa̠ŋd͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term you choose depends on whether the person has won a specific match, a tournament or an award. While 우승자 refers to the person, the related noun 우승 refers to the championship itself or the act of winning a championship.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 우승자 is composed of 우승, meaning winning a championship and 자, meaning person.
Which one should you use?
There are several distinct forms for winner in Korean: 우승자 is used specifically for the champion of a tournament or competition. 승리자 refers more broadly to a victor in a struggle, a battle or a specific match. 수상자 is used for an award recipient or someone who wins a prize, rather than someone who wins a game. Additionally, the shorter term 승자 can also be used to mean winner.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun 우승자 plural, you can add the suffix 들 to form 우승자들.
How do you pronounce it?
useungja
Did you know?
- In many Korean game-related contexts, players might simply use the English loanword 'winner' written in Hangul as 위너 instead of using the traditional Sino-Korean terms.
- In competitive gaming culture, Koreans often use the slang term 1등 (first place) more frequently than the formal word 우승자 to describe the winner.
- The term 승리자 can sound quite dramatic or cinematic in Korean, often used in literature or movies to describe a victor in a grander sense, like a person who overcomes a great fate.
Examples in context
- 그는 이번 대회에서 승자가 되었다.He became the winner of this competition.
- 저는 올림픽에서 우승자가 될 것입니다.I will become the champion at the Olympics.
- 이번 대회의 우승자는 누구인가요?ibeon daehoeuui useungjaneun nuguinga-yo?Who is the winner of this tournament?
- 그는 챔피언십 우승자입니다.geuneun chaempieonsip useungjarimnida.He is the championship winner.
- 우승자에게는 상금이 주어집니다.useungjage-neun sanggeumi jueojimnida.A prize is given to the winner.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are watching a sports game together.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 누가 우승자일까요?Subin ssi, nuga useungjailkayo?Subin, who do you think will be the winner?
- 수빈 Su-bin제 생각에는 파란 팀이 이길 것 같아요.je saengganeneun paran timi igil geot gatayo.I think the blue team will win.
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 정말 파란 팀이 우승자네요!wa, jeongmal paran timi useungjaneyo!Wow, the blue team really is the winner!
- 수빈 Su-bin제 예상이 맞았어요!je yesangi majasseoyo!My prediction was right!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “winner” translations and entries 우승자, 승리자, 수상자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
