Korean Dictionary
How to say "Unemployed" in Korean
“Unemployed” in Korean is 백수 (pronounced "baeksu").
백수
baeksu
Usage & Context
Someone who is unemployed or not working. Used to describe people without jobs, sometimes used self-deprecatingly.
Example Sentence
나 지금 백수야.
I'm unemployed right now.
How to use 백수 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Unemployed” is 백수, romanized as baeksu.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 백수.
Pronunciation Guide
"Baek" sounds like "back" in "backyard." "Su" is pronounced like "soo" in "soup." The word is pronounced with two distinct syllables, "baek-su," with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Someone self-deprecatingly talking about their current unemployment.
나 요즘 백수라서 시간이 남아돌아.
I'm unemployed these days, so I have too much free time.
Reflecting on the mixed feelings of being out of work.
백수 생활도 나름 편하지만 불안하기도 해.
Being unemployed is somewhat comfortable, but it's also unsettling.
A parent talking about their adult child's employment status.
우리 아들은 졸업하고 아직 백수야.
My son graduated and is still unemployed.
Cultural Context
"백수" literally means "white hand" or "empty hand," implying someone who doesn't work. While it can be used in a neutral sense to describe someone unemployed, it often carries a slightly negative or self-deprecating connotation, especially when used by the person themselves. The female equivalent is "백조" (baekjo), meaning "white swan," which sounds more graceful but still refers to unemployment. The term is widely understood and used in daily conversations, K-dramas, and media to describe the state of being out of work, often highlighting the societal pressure to be employed.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 백수 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
백수 생활
Unemployed life
백수 탈출
Escaping unemployment
백수 신세
The plight/situation of being unemployed
Related Expressions
무직
mujil
Unemployed (more formal/official)
실업자
silleopja
Unemployed person (official term)
취준생
chwijunsaeng
Job seeker (implies actively looking)
니트족
nit jok
NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)
More Slang Words
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