Korean word

불법

Pronunciation

Romanizationpulbeop

Meaning

  • nounillegal activity

Example

그는 불법 거래로 체포되었다.keu neun pul beop keo rae ro che po doe eot tta

He was arrested for illegal trading.

Illustration for 불법 (illegal activity)

More examples

그는 불법 체류로 벌금을 냈다.keu neun pul beop che ryu ro peol geu meul naet tta

He paid a fine for illegal residence.

Core concept

A condition or act that falls outside the law and may bring legal punishment.

Common phrases

  • 불법 행위pul beop haeng wi

    illegal activity

  • 불법 거래pul beop keo rae

    illegal trade

  • 불법 체류pul beop che ryu

    illegal residence

Similar words

위법wibeop: A breach of the law that may bring a penalty or prevent an agreement from having legal effect.
불법행위pulbeopaengwi: A concrete unlawful act that breaks a legal rule.
범죄peomjoe: A punishable criminal act or event that breaks the law or harms a person's rights or safety.
위반wiban: An act or condition that goes against a set rule, law, or promise.

Definition in Korean

국가의 법률에 의해 금지되거나 처벌 대상이 되는 행위나 상태를 이르는 명사.kuk kka ui peom nyu re ui hae keum ji doe geo na cheo beol tae sang i toe neun haeng wi na sang tae reul i reu neun myeong sa

Word origin

This Sino-Korean word combines a negative element with a term meaning law, giving the sense of something not permitted by law.

Usage tips

  • English usually expresses this idea with an adjective, but Korean treats this word as a noun, which makes it useful in sentences that label an act or situation as unlawful.

Other meanings

  • wrongdoingnoun

Opposites

  • 합법happpeoplawfulnessnoun

Word lists with this word