If you’re interested in Koreaβs military, planning to join the military, or just want to understand military-related Korean vocabulary, this post is for you!
Korea has compulsory military service for men, and many Korean words and expressions are specific to military culture. Whether you’re learning for K-dramas, history, or real-life situations, these essential military-related Korean words will help you communicate effectively!
In this post, youβll learn:
βοΈ Korean military vocabulary (army, navy, air force terms)
βοΈ Common military ranks & units
βοΈ Basic commands & expressions used in the military
βοΈ Korean military service terms
Letβs dive in! ππββοΈ
πͺ Korean Military Branches & General Terms
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| κ΅°λ | gun-dae | Military |
| κ΅λ°©λΆ | guk-bang-bu | Ministry of National Defense |
| μ‘κ΅° | yuk-gun | Army |
| ν΄κ΅° | hae-gun | Navy |
| 곡ꡰ | gong-gun | Air Force |
| ν΄λ³λ | hae-byeong-dae | Marine Corps |
| μλΉκ΅° | ye-bi-gun | Reserve forces |
| μ₯κ΅ | jang-gyo | Officer |
| μ¬λ³ | sa-byeong | Enlisted soldier |
| μ λ³ | sin-byeong | New recruit |
| μ ν¬ | jeon-tu | Battle, combat |
| 무기 | mu-gi | Weapon |
| μ΄ | chong | Gun |
| μ μ | jeon-jaeng | War |
| κ΅°μ¬ νλ ¨ | gun-sa hun-ryeon | Military training |
| νλ ¨μ | hun-ryeon-so | Training camp |
ποΈ Korean Military Ranks & Units
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| μ΄λ³ | i-byeong | Private (E-1) |
| μΌλ³ | il-byeong | Private First Class (E-2) |
| μλ³ | sang-byeong | Corporal (E-3) |
| λ³μ₯ | byeong-jang | Sergeant (E-4) |
| μμ | so-wi | Second Lieutenant (O-1) |
| μ€μ | jung-wi | First Lieutenant (O-2) |
| λμ | dae-wi | Captain (O-3) |
| μλ Ή | so-ryeong | Major (O-4) |
π― Common Military Commands & Expressions
π£οΈ Basic Military Commands
πΉ μ°¨λ ·! (Cha-ryeot!) β Attention!
πΉ κ²½λ‘! (Gyeong-rye!) β Salute!
πΉ μ΄μ€ μ¬μ΄! (Yeol-jung swi-eo!) β At ease!
πΉ μμΌλ‘ κ°! (A-peu-ro ga!) β Move forward!
πΉ λ€λ‘ λμ! (Dwi-ro dol-a!) β Turn around!
πΉ λ°μ΄! (Ttwieo!) β Run!
πΉ λ©μΆ°! (Meom-chwo!) β Stop!
π’ Common Phrases in the Military
πΉ νλ ¨μμμ νλ ¨μ λ°μμ΄μ. (Hun-ryeon-so-e-seo hun-ryeon-eul ba-da-sseo-yo.)
β‘οΈ I received training at the boot camp.
πΉ μ λνμ΅λλ€. (Je-dae-haet-seum-ni-da.)
β‘οΈ I was discharged from the military.
πΉ μ μ λ μ§κ° μΈμ μΈκ°μ? (Jeon-yeok nal-jja-ga eon-je-in-ga-yo?)
β‘οΈ When is my discharge date?
πΉ κ΅°λμ μ
λν΄μΌ ν΄μ. (Gun-dae-e ip-dae-hae-ya hae-yo.)
β‘οΈ I have to enlist in the military.
πΉ μ§κΈ ꡰ볡무 μ€μ΄μμ. (Ji-geum gun-bok-mu jung-i-e-yo.)
β‘οΈ I am currently serving in the military.
πΉ μ ν¬ νλ ¨μ΄ νλ€μ΄μ. (Jeon-tu hun-ryeon-i him-deu-reo-yo.)
β‘οΈ Combat training is tough.
πΉ μ€λ μ¬κ²© νλ ¨μ΄ μμ΄μ. (O-neul sa-gyeok hun-ryeon-i it-seo-yo.)
β‘οΈ There is shooting practice today.
πΉ κ΅°λμμλ κ·μ¨μ΄ μ격ν΄μ. (Gun-dae-e-seo-neun gyu-yul-i eom-gyeok-hae-yo.)
β‘οΈ The military has strict discipline.
πΉ μ ν¬λ³΅μ μ
μ΄μΌ ν΄μ. (Jeon-tu-bok-eul ib-eo-ya hae-yo.)
β‘οΈ You have to wear combat uniform.
π― Practice Time!
Test your knowledge by answering these questions in the comments:
1οΈβ£ What is the Korean word for βmilitaryβ? πͺ
2οΈβ£ How do you say “private” in Korean? ποΈ
3οΈβ£ Whatβs the command for “Attention!” in Korean? π
Comment your answers below! π
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