Korean Dictionary
How to say "Beam" in Korean
“Beam” in Korean is 보 (pronounced "Bo").
보
Bo
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
Horizontal structural element supporting weight. Works with columns to support buildings.
Example Sentence
철제 보가 건물을 지탱해요.
Steel beams support the building.
How to use 보 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Beam” is 보, romanized as Bo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 보.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Bo' like the 'bow' in 'bow and arrow', with a long 'o' sound.
More Example Sentences
Commenting on interior design.
천장에 노출된 나무 보가 멋진 인테리어 효과를 줘요.
The exposed wooden beams on the ceiling create a wonderful interior design effect.
Observing construction work.
새 건물의 철골 보가 조립되고 있어요.
The steel beams for the new building are being assembled.
Discussing structural safety requirements.
지진에 강한 보를 사용해야 해요.
We need to use earthquake-resistant beams.
Cultural Context
보 (bo) refers to a structural beam, a fundamental component in both traditional Korean hanok and modern buildings. In hanok, large wooden beams (대들보, daedeulbo) were crucial for supporting the roof structure, often becoming a focal point of the interior. In modern construction, steel or concrete beams are used. While '기둥' (column) often carries a metaphorical meaning, '보' is more strictly used in its architectural sense, though '대들보' can also metaphorically refer to a main support.
Editorial note
We review entries like 보 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
철제 보
steel beam
나무 보
wooden beam
보를 설치하다
to install a beam
Related Expressions
기둥
gidung
column (related architectural element)
들보
deulbo
main beam
서까래
seokkarae
rafter (part of roof structure)
대들보
daedeulbo
main beam, ridgepole (often used metaphorically for main support)
More Architecture Words
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