Korean word

보답

Pronunciation

Romanizationpodap

Meaning

  • nounrepayment

Example

아버지의 사랑에 보답을 하고 싶어요.a beo ji ui sa rang e po da beul ha go si peo yo

I want to repay my father's love.

Illustration for 보답 (repayment)

More examples

작은 선물이 보답의 표시였어요.cha geun seon mu ri po da bui pyo si yeo sseo yo

The small gift was a sign of gratitude.

Core concept

The wish and effort to give back after receiving someone's kindness or help.

Common phrases

  • 보답으로po da beu ro

    in return

  • 보답의 표시po da bui pyo si

    a sign of gratitude

Similar words

답례tamnye: A thank-you gift or gesture given in return for someone's kindness or help.
감사kamsa: A feeling of being thankful for someone's kindness or help.
보상posang: Payment or another useful form of value provided for a loss or injury.

Definition in Korean

사람에게 받은 호의나 도움에 대해 고마움을 표하거나 그것을 갚으려는 마음과 행동을 가리키는 말sa ra me ge pa deun ho ui na to u me tae hae ko ma u meul pyo ha geo na keu geo seul ka peu ryeo neun ma eum gwa haeng dong eul ka ri ki neun mal

Word origin

보답 (bodap, "repayment") comes from the Sino-Korean parts 보 (bo, "return or repay") and 답 (dap, "answer"), framing gratitude as an answer to kindness.

Usage tips

  • The word is useful for describing how gratitude becomes action, especially toward family, friends, teachers, or helpers.

Related words

Word lists with this word