Korean word

상사

Pronunciation

Romanizationsangsa

Meaning

  • nounboss

Example

오늘은 상사에게 보고해야 해요.o neu reun sang sa e ge po go hae ya hae yo

I have to report to my boss today.

Illustration for 상사 (boss)

More examples

회의 중에 상사 눈치를 봤어요.hoe ui chung e sang sa nun chi reul pwa sseo yo

I was mindful of my boss's mood during the meeting.

Core concept

The person above an employee in the workplace who guides tasks and is answerable for the team's results.

Common phrases

  • 상사에게 혼나다sang sa e ge hon na da

    be scolded by one's boss

  • 상사 눈치 보다sang sa nun chi po da

    read one's boss's mood

  • 상사에게 칭찬받다sang sa e ge ching chan bat tta

    be praised by one's boss

Similar words

상사님sangsanim: A polite workplace address for someone in a higher position.
직속상사chikssokssangsa: A supervisor with direct responsibility for employees' daily tasks and reports.
관리자kwallija: A manager responsible for coordinating people, work, or resources in an organization.

Definition in Korean

회사 등 조직에서 부하에게 지시를 내리고 업무 성과에 대해 책임을 지는 높은 직책의 사람hoe sa teung cho ji ge seo pu ha e ge chi si reul nae ri go eom mu seong gwa e tae hae chae gi meul chi neun no peun chik chae gui sa ram

Word origin

It comes from Sino-Korean elements meaning upper and to direct, so its form connects rank with supervision.

Usage tips

  • The word describes a role, not always a person's exact title, so Korean speakers may use a job title when the level of authority needs to be clear.

Other meanings

  • trading companynoun

Opposites

  • 부하puhasubordinatenoun

Word lists with this word