Korean word

배우

Pronunciation

Romanizationpaeu

Meaning

  • nounactor

Example

새 영화에서 배우가 주연을 맡았어요.sae yeong hwa e seo pae u ga chu yeo neul ma ta sseo yo

The actor played the lead in the new movie.

Illustration for 배우 (actor)

More examples

신인 배우가 첫 촬영을 마쳤어요.si nin pae u ga cheot chwa ryeong eul ma cheo sseo yo

The rookie actor finished their first shoot.

Core concept

A performer who plays a character in front of a camera or a live audience.

Common phrases

  • 배우로 데뷔하다pae u ro te bwi ha da

    debut as an actor

  • 신인 배우si nin pae u

    new actor

  • 유명한 배우yu myeong han pae u

    famous actor

Similar words

연기자yeongija: A performer who uses acting to bring a character and story to life.
연예인yeonyein: An entertainer known to the public through acting, music, television, or other popular media.

Definition in Korean

영화나 드라마, 무대에서 배역을 맡아 연기하는 사람.yeong hwa na teu ra ma mu dae e seo pae yeo geul ma ta yeon gi ha neun sa ram

Word origin

This Korean word is a Sino-Korean borrowing from a term for an actor or performer, so its origin closely matches its modern meaning.

Usage tips

  • This job word can describe a child in a school play as well as a professional performer, so it does not by itself mean celebrity.

Related words

Word lists with this word