Korean word

형사

Pronunciation

Romanizationhyeongsa

Meaning

  • noundetective

Example

어제 형사를 만났어요.eo je hyeong sa reul man na sseo yo

I met a detective yesterday.

Illustration for 형사 (detective)

More examples

그 사건은 형사가 수사하고 있어요.keu sa geo neun hyeong sa ga su sa ha go i sseo yo

A detective is investigating the case.

Core concept

A police investigator who follows criminal cases, gathers evidence, and helps arrest suspects.

Common phrases

  • 형사가 수사하다hyeong sa ga su sa ha da

    detective investigates

  • 형사에게 진술하다hyeong sa e ge chin sul ha da

    make a statement to a detective

Similar words

경찰관kyeongchalgwan: A police officer who patrols communities and responds to reports of danger.
수사관susagwan: An investigator who collects evidence and develops a criminal case.
탐정tamjeong: A private investigator who conducts inquiries for people or businesses.
검사keomsa: A legal official who brings criminal charges and asks the court for a penalty.

Definition in Korean

범죄를 수사하고 범인을 검거하는 업무를 맡은 경찰관이나 그 직책.peom joe reul su sa ha go peo mi neul keom geo ha neun eom mu reul ma teun kyeong chal gwa ni na keu chik chaek

Word origin

This Sino-Korean compound combines ideas of punishment and matters and developed into a title for a police officer handling criminal cases.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may picture a private investigator, but this word normally points to a police investigator, giving it a more official meaning.

Related words

  • 형사과hyeongsagwacriminal investigation divisionnoun
  • 형사사건hyeongsasageoncriminal casenoun
  • 형사수사hyeongsasusacriminal investigationnoun

Word lists with this word