접두사 (jeobdoosa) is the Korean word for prefix. There are certain letter combinations that, when added to the beginning of words, frequently suggest a specific meaning.
It’s important to note that these prefixes don’t always have one meaning. There are also Korean words that seem to have a prefix, but actually don’t.
Many Korean words with prefixes shouldn’t be translated literally. Instead, the prefix should be interpreted in a more symbolic manner. This is also something common with English prefixed words.
For example, if translated literally, 윗사람 (wissaram) would mean “upper person.” However, it actually means one’s elder or superior.
Some prefixes suggest how important or major something is.
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
대– (dae) |
big, important |
대학교 (daehaggyo) – university |
중– (joong) |
serious, significant |
중환자 (joonghwanja) – critical care |
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
되– (doe) |
re– |
되감다 (doegamda) – rewind |
재– (jae) |
re–, again |
재시험 (jaeshiheom) – re-examination, makeup test |
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
반– (ban) |
half |
반바지 (banbaji) – short / half pants |
홀– (hol) |
alone, single |
홀아버지 (horabeoji) – single father |
다– (da) |
many, multi |
다국어 (dagoogeo) – multilingual |
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
한– (han) |
in the middle of |
한밤 (hanbam) – midnight |
급– (geub) |
sudden, fast |
급강하 (geubgangha) – sudden drop, nosedive |
늦– (neut) |
late |
늦가을 (neutgaeul) – late fall |
윗– (wit) |
upper |
윗사람 (wissaram) – elder, superior |
Several prefixes are used to express when a quality is missing or lacking. These prefixes shouldn’t be considered interchangeable with each other, even if some basically mean the same thing.
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
맨– (maen) |
bare, without |
맨발 (maenbal) – barefoot |
비– (bi) |
non–, un– |
비협조 (bihyeobjo) – non-cooperation |
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
신– (shin) |
new |
신상품 (shinsangpoom) – new product |
친– (chin) |
pro, in support of, related |
친환경 (chinhwangyeong) – pro-environment, eco-friendly |