Korean Dictionary
How to say "Civil Servant" in Korean
“Civil Servant” in Korean is 공무원 (pronounced "Gongmuwon").
공무원
Gongmuwon
Usage & Context
A person employed by the government. Civil servants in South Korea are hired through competitive exams.
Example Sentence
그는 공무원입니다.
He is a civil servant.
How to use 공무원 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Civil Servant” is 공무원, romanized as Gongmuwon.
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 공무원.
Pronunciation Guide
공 (Gong) sounds like 'gong' in 'gong show.' 무 (mu) sounds like 'moo' as in a cow's sound. 원 (won) sounds like 'won' as in the Korean currency, or 'wahn.' The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
A student talking about their career aspirations.
제 꿈은 공무원이 되는 거예요.
My dream is to become a civil servant.
A job seeker explaining their current efforts.
공무원 시험 준비 중이에요.
I'm preparing for the civil servant exam.
Someone talking about their parent's career.
우리 아버지는 30년 동안 공무원으로 일하셨어요.
My father worked as a civil servant for 30 years.
Cultural Context
Becoming a '공무원' is one of the most coveted career paths in South Korea, known for its job security, stable income, and relatively good work-life balance compared to the private sector. The '공무원 시험' (civil servant exam) is notoriously difficult and highly competitive, often requiring years of dedicated study. Many K-dramas feature characters who are civil servants or preparing for the exam, reflecting its societal importance.
Editorial note
We review entries like 공무원 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
공무원 시험
Civil servant exam
공무원 연금
Civil servant pension
공무원 복지
Civil servant welfare
Related Expressions
공직자
Gongjikja
Public official
회사원
Hoesawon
Office worker/company employee
정부 직원
Jeongbu jigwon
Government employee
국민
Gungmin
Citizen
More Law & Government Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Civil Servant and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
