Korean word

배신하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationpaesinhada

Meaning

  • verbbetray

Example

그는 친구를 배신했다.keu neun chin gu reul pae sin haet tta

He betrayed his friend.

Illustration for 배신하다 (betray)

More examples

그녀의 행동은 모두를 배신했다.keu nyeo ui haeng dong eun mo du reul pae sin haet tta

Her actions betrayed everyone.

Core concept

A trusted bond is turned against the person who relies on it.

Common phrases

  • 믿음을 배신하다mi deu meul pae sin ha da

    betray trust

  • 약속을 배신하다yak sso geul pae sin ha da

    break a promise

Similar words

배반하다paebanhada: Turn against an ally or group after being expected to remain loyal.
속이다sogida: Make someone accept a false belief by hiding the truth.

Definition in Korean

약속이나 기대·신뢰를 깨뜨려 상대에게 상처나 불이익을 안기는 행동을 하다.yak sso gi na ki dae sil loe reul kkae tteu ryeo sang dae e ge sang cheo na pu ri i geul an gi neun haeng dong eul ha da

Word origin

배신하다 (baesinhada, "to betray") adds 하다 (hada, "to do") to the Sino-Korean noun 배신 (baesin, "betrayal"), turning the idea of betrayal into an action verb.

Usage tips

  • Like betray in English, this is emotionally strong and usually suits serious disloyalty or broken trust rather than a small mistake or misunderstanding.

Opposites

Related words

  • 배반paebanbetrayalnoun
  • 배신자paesinjatraitornoun

Word lists with this word