Korean word

부당하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationpudanghada

Meaning

  • adjectiveunfair

Example

그 결정은 부당해요.keu kyeol jeong eun pu dang hae yo

That decision is unfair.

Illustration for 부당하다 (unfair)

More examples

그건 부당한 요구예요.keu geon pu dang han yo gu ye yo

That is an unfair demand.

Core concept

A judgment or treatment falls outside the bounds of fairness and reasonable justification.

Common phrases

  • 부당한 대우pu dang han tae u

    unfair treatment

  • 부당한 해고pu dang han hae go

    unfair dismissal

  • 부당한 요구pu dang han yo gu

    unfair demand

Similar words

불공평하다pulgongpyeonghada: Making the results or treatment favor one side unfairly.
불공정하다pulgongjeonghada: Using procedures or standards that do not treat all sides fairly.
억울하다eogulhada: Feeling upset because unfair treatment or a misunderstanding makes a person feel wronged.
불합리하다pulhamnihada: Lacking a sensible reason or a logical basis.

Definition in Korean

어떤 처사나 판단이 옳지 않고 공정하지 못하다고 여겨질 때 쓰는 형용사.eo tteon cheo sa na pan da ni ol chi an ko kong jeong ha ji mo ta da go yeo gyeo jil ttae sseu neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

It comes from a Sino-Korean base meaning not fitting or proper, with an adjective-forming element that gives the sense of being so.

Usage tips

  • It often sounds formal in conversation, especially when evaluating an official decision or treatment rather than making a small everyday complaint.

Other meanings

  • unreasonableadjective

Opposites

  • 정당하다cheongdanghadalegitimateadjective
  • 타당하다tadanghadareasonableadjective

Related words

  • 부당성pudangseongunfairnessnoun
  • 부당이득pudangideukunjust enrichmentnoun
  • 부당행위pudanghaengwiunfair conductnoun

Word lists with this word