Korean word

백성

Pronunciation

Romanizationpaeksseong

Meaning

  • nounsubjects

Example

왕은 백성들의 삶을 먼저 생각했다.wang eun paek sseong deu rui sal meul meon jeo saeng ga kaet tta

The king thought of his subjects' lives first.

Illustration for 백성 (subjects)

More examples

정부는 백성들을 보호할 책임이 있다.cheong bu neun paek sseong deu reul po ho hal chae gi mi it tta

The government has a responsibility to protect its subjects.

Core concept

Ordinary people viewed collectively as belonging to a king or state, especially in a historical setting.

Common phrases

  • 백성들을 보호하다paek sseong deu reul po ho ha da

    protect the subjects

  • 백성들의 목소리를 듣다paek sseong deu rui mok sso ri reul teut tta

    listen to the subjects' voices

  • 백성들을 돕다paek sseong deu reul top tta

    help the subjects

Similar words

사람들saramdeul: A broad, everyday term for people as a group.
국민kungmin: People officially recognized as members of a nation with legal rights and duties.
주민chumin: Members of a local community who live in a particular place.
시민simin: People viewed as members of society who share civic rights and responsibilities.

Definition in Korean

왕과 국가에 속한 평범한 사람들, 특히 옛 문헌에서 민중이나 국민을 이르는 말.wang gwa kuk kka e so kan pyeong beom han sa ram deul teu ki yet mun heo ne seo min jung i na kung mi neul i reu neun mal

Word origin

The traditional explanation of the Sino-Korean word 백성 (baeksseong, "the people") connects it with many family names or clans forming one people.

Usage tips

  • The word 백성 (baeksseong, "the people") is especially useful for historical and literary contexts, where it presents ordinary people in relation to a ruler or state.

Other meanings

  • common peoplenoun
  • populacenoun

Opposites

  • 권력층kwollyeokcheungthe ruling classnoun
  • 통치자tongchijarulernoun

Word lists with this word