Korean word

라이벌

Pronunciation

Romanizationraibeol

Meaning

  • nounrival

Example

그 가수는 내 라이벌이야.keu ka su neun nae ra i beo ri ya

That singer is my rival.

Illustration for 라이벌 (rival)

More examples

둘은 어릴 적부터 서로의 라이벌로 경쟁해 왔다.tu reun eo ril jjeok ppu teo seo ro ui ra i beol lo kyeong jaeng hae wat tta

The two have competed as rivals since they were young.

Core concept

A close competitor who tries to stay ahead of another person in ability, fame, or achievement.

Common phrases

  • 평생의 라이벌pyeong saeng ui ra i beol

    lifelong rival

  • 학교 라이벌hak kkyo ra i beol

    school rival

  • 비즈니스 라이벌pi jeu ni seu ra i beol

    business rival

Similar words

경쟁자kyeongjaengja: A person competing against others in one field for achievement or standing.
상대sangdae: The other participant or side in an interaction, contest, or comparison.
적수cheokssu: A tough opponent capable of keeping a competition evenly balanced.

Definition in Korean

실력이나 인기 따위에서 서로 앞서려는 상대를 가리키는 말로, 친근하게도 쓸 수 있는 명사이다.sil lyeo gi na in gi tta wi e seo seo ro ap sseo ryeo neun sang dae reul ka ri ki neun mal lo chin geun ha ge do sseul ssu in neun myeong sa i da

Word origin

Korean borrowed the word from English, while English rival traces back to Latin rivalis, a word for someone connected to the same stream before it came to mean a competitor.

Usage tips

  • The word fits both serious contests and light teasing between people who respect each other's abilities.

Related words

  • 라이벌전raibeoljeonrival matchnoun
  • 라이벌 의식raibeol uisikrivalrynoun

Word lists with this word