Korean Dictionary
How to say "Bureaucracy" in Korean
“Bureaucracy” in Korean is 관료제 (pronounced "Gwanryoje").
관료제
Gwanryoje
Usage & Context
System of government administration through departments and officials. Bureaucracy in South Korea is hierarchical and formal.
Example Sentence
관료제는 복잡합니다.
Bureaucracy is complex.
How to use 관료제 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Bureaucracy” is 관료제, romanized as Gwanryoje.
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 관료제.
Pronunciation Guide
관 (Gwan) sounds like 'gwan' in 'Gwangju,' similar to 'gwon' but with a slightly softer 'o' sound. 료 (ryo) sounds like 'ryo' in 'ryokan,' or 'ree-oh.' 제 (je) sounds like 'jeh' as in 'jet' without the 't.' The syllables flow smoothly, with no strong stress on any particular one.
More Example Sentences
Discussing government issues.
관료제의 비효율성이 문제예요.
The inefficiency of bureaucracy is the problem.
Complaining about administrative hurdles.
복잡한 관료제 때문에 일이 지연되고 있어요.
Work is being delayed due to complex bureaucracy.
Suggesting reform.
새로운 시스템으로 관료제를 개선해야 합니다.
We need to improve bureaucracy with a new system.
Cultural Context
South Korea's government and large corporations often exhibit characteristics of a strong '관료제' (bureaucracy), emphasizing hierarchy, formal procedures, and adherence to rules. While it ensures stability and order, it can also lead to perceived inefficiency or rigidity, a common theme in news discussions and sometimes satirized in K-dramas when characters face endless paperwork or slow administrative processes.
Editorial note
We review entries like 관료제 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. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
관료제 개혁
Bureaucracy reform
관료제의 폐해
Harms/downsides of bureaucracy
복잡한 관료제
Complex bureaucracy
Related Expressions
행정
Haengjeong
Administration
관료주의
Gwanryojuui
Bureaucratism
계층 구조
Gyecheung gujo
Hierarchical structure
민주주의
Minjujuui
Democracy
More Law & Government Words
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