Skip to main content
Try a free Korean lesson

Korean learner dictionary

선배 meaning and pronunciation

seonbae · senior; veteran

NIKL-backed definitions, English glosses, pronunciation, examples, and learner-level context.

Dictionary entry

NIKL target code 66306
Part of speech: 명사Pronunciation: 선배Level: Beginner · NIKL learner grade
  1. 1.

    같은 분야에서 자기보다 먼저 활동하여 경험이나 지위 등이 더 앞선 사람.

    English: senior; veteran — A person who is more experienced and holds a higher position than oneself because he/she started his/her career in the same field earlier.

    Examples

    • 동아리 선배.
    • 직장 선배.
    • 좋은 선배.
    • 친한 선배.
    • 선배 대접.
    • 선배 학자.
  2. 2.

    같은 학교를 자기보다 먼저 입학한 사람.

    English: senior — A person who graduated from the same school earlier than oneself.

    Examples

    • 고등학교 선배.
    • 과 선배.
    • 대학교 선배.
    • 동문 선배.
    • 중학교 선배.
    • 초등학교 선배.
Origin
先輩
Categories
사회 생활 > 인간관계 · 학교생활

Active recall

Check whether you can produce it without looking.

Try to answer first. Reveal only after you have committed to an answer.

Card 1 of 2

How do you say “senior; veteran” in Korean?

Ready to level up 선배?

Turn 선배 from a quick lookup into memory with related lessons, review, sentences, and speaking practice.

Try a free Korean lesson

No account required for the demo. Cancel Pro anytime.