Korean word

총각

Pronunciation

Romanizationchonggak

Meaning

  • nounbachelor

Example

그 친구는 아직 총각이다.keu chin gu neun a jik chong ga gi da

That friend is still a bachelor.

Illustration for 총각 (bachelor)

More examples

이번 여름휴가에 총각들끼리 여행을 갔다.i beon yeo reum hyu ga e chong gak tteul kki ri yeo haeng eul kat tta

This summer vacation, a group of bachelors went on a trip together.

Core concept

An unmarried man described in a familiar, warm, or old-fashioned way.

Common phrases

  • 총각 시절chong gak si jeol

    bachelor days

  • 총각살이chong gak ssa ri

    bachelor life

  • 총각 때chong gak ttae

    bachelor days

Similar words

솔로sollo: A casual term for a person without a romantic partner.
미혼자mihonja: An unmarried person identified in a factual description or introduction.
미혼mihon: A person's status of not being married.

Definition in Korean

구어체에서 쓰이는 말로, 아직 혼인하지 않은 남성을 이르며 다소 친근하거나 옛스러운 어감을 지닌다.ku eo che e seo sseu i neun mal lo a jik ho nin ha ji a neun nam seong eul i reu myeo ta so chin geun ha geo na yet sseu reo un eo ga meul chi nin da

Word origin

The word comes from a Sino-Korean term linked to the two tufts of hair traditionally worn by boys, which later came to mean an unmarried man.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the usually neutral English word bachelor, this term can add a folksy or old-fashioned tone, so register matters when translating it.

Opposites

  • 기혼자kihonjamarried personnoun

Related words

  • 총각살이chonggakssaribachelor lifenoun
  • 총각시절chonggakssijeolbachelor daysnoun

Word lists with this word