Korean word

승부

Pronunciation

Romanizationseungbu

Meaning

  • nounmatch

Example

승부는 끝날 때까지 모르는 법이다.seung bu neun kkeun nal ttae kka ji mo reu neun peo bi da

You never know who will win until the match is over.

Illustration for 승부 (match)

More examples

승부에 집착하면 주변이 피곤해진다.seung bu e chip cha ka myeon chu byeo ni pi gon hae jin da

If you obsess over the match, those around you get tired.

Core concept

A contest viewed at the point where one side wins and the other loses.

Common phrases

  • 승부에 집착하다seung bu e chip cha ka da

    obsess over the match

  • 승부를 결정짓다seung bu reul kyeol jeong jit tta

    decide the match

Similar words

시합sihap: A rule-based match in which people or teams compete to decide a winner.
승패seungpae: The final result of a contest, showing whether there was a win or a loss.

Definition in Korean

어떤 일의 승패를 가리키거나 그 승패를 결정하는 행위를 이르는 말.eo tteon i rui seung pae reul ka ri ki geo na keu seung pae reul kyeol jeong ha neun haeng wi reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

승부 (seungbu, "match") is a Sino-Korean compound formed from 승 (seung, "victory") and 부 (bu, "defeat"), linking the two possible results of a contest.

Usage tips

  • English match often names the event itself, while this word puts more focus on the result or decision that settles it.

Other meanings

  • winning and losingnoun

Opposites

  • 무승부museungbudrawnoun

Related words

  • 승부욕seungbuyokcompetitive spiritnoun

Word lists with this word