Did you know, in Korea, every man is expected to complete their 2 year military service by the age of 30? If you are interested in knowing more, we have a separate blog article about Military Service in South Korea. But this article is about learning the Korean language.

So let’s get to learning how to say ‘military’ in Korean. Ten-hut!

‘Military’ in Korean

The main word for how to say ‘military’ in Korean is 군사 (gunsa).

군사 (gunsa)

military

However, the word that is more often used to say ‘military’ in Korean is actually 군대 (gundae) – this is the word to use especially when referring to the mandatory military service that all Korean men have to complete.

군대 (gundae)

armed forces, military

The word 군대 (gundae) can be, and often is, used on its own. However, it is common to use the word 군사 in front of other words, such as ‘military training’ which is 군사 훈련 (gunsa hullyeon).

There are also some occasions where you will want to refer to something military-related, where you only need to use 군 (gun) to indicate it as military-related. For example, 군인 (gunin), which means ‘soldier’. Or 군복 (gunbok), which means ‘military uniform’.

A word of caution about Romanization

While it is possible for you to study the words in this article simply by reading their romanized versions, it will come in handy for you to be able to read Hangeul if you ever wish to come to Korea. Hangeul is the Korean alphabet, and not difficult to learn. In fact, you can learn it in just 90 minutes.

After you’ve familiarized yourself with Hangeul, life in Korea will suddenly seem so much easier and the country won’t appear so foreign for you. So, if you’re serious about learning Korean, why not learn Hangeul today?

Sample Sentences

Standard Korean Example Sentences:

You can use these sentences in just about every situation, they’re considered polite. 

1. 우리 군사 훈련이 한달동안 지속될거라서 많은 힘든 날을 나올 예정이에요. → Since our military training will last for a month, I expect many hard days to come.

   uri gunsa hullyeoni handaldongan jisokdoelgeoraseo maneun himdeun nareul naol yejeongieyo.

2. 벌써 군대에 갔어요? → Did you already go to the army?

   beolsseo gundaee gasseoyo?

3. 저는 직업군인이에요. → I am a professional soldier.

   jeoneun jigeopguninieyo.

Informal Korean Example Sentences:

This style of speaking is used with friends, family, or others that you're close with.

1. 내 군대생활이 너무 힘들어서 다시 그거에 대해서 생각도 하고 싶지 않아. → My time at the military was so hard I do not want to even think about it again.

   nae gundaesaenghwari neomu himdeureoseo dasi geugeoe daehaeseo saenggakdo hago sipji ana.

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