Contents

Korean Prefix

Summary

A prefix is a letter or letters attached to the beginning of a word to change its overall meaning.

In-depth Explanation

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. 

 

Translating words containing prefixes

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. 

 

Prefixes that relate to degree and intensity

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

 

Prefixes that relate to instances

Prefix

Meaning

Example

되– (doe)

re–

되감다 (doegamda) – rewind

재– (jae)

re–, again

재시험 (jaeshiheom) – re-examination, makeup test

 

Prefixes that relate to numbers and quantity

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

 

Prefixes that relate to time and position

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

 

Prefixes that suggest negation

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

 

Prefixes that relate to quality / state of being

Prefix

Meaning

Example

신– (shin)

new

신상품 (shinsangpoom) – new product

친– (chin)

pro, in support of, related

친환경 (chinhwangyeong) – pro-environment, eco-friendly