Korean Dictionary
How to say "Debut" in Korean
“Debut” in Korean is 데뷔 (pronounced "Debyou").
데뷔
Debyou
Usage & Context
The first official performance or release of an artist or group. Major milestone in a performer's career.
Example Sentence
데뷔했어요.
They debuted.
How to use 데뷔 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Debut” is 데뷔, romanized as Debyou.
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 데뷔.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '데뷔' as 'Deh-bwee'. '데' sounds like 'deh' in 'debt' (without the 't'). '뷔' sounds like 'bwee', similar to 'b' in 'boy' followed by 'wee' in 'week'.
More Example Sentences
Talking about an upcoming K-pop group's first appearance.
그 아이돌 그룹은 다음 달에 데뷔해요.
That idol group is debuting next month.
Expressing surprise at a new artist's quick success.
데뷔 앨범이 벌써 백만 장 넘게 팔렸어요!
Their debut album has already sold over a million copies!
A long-time fan reminiscing about an actor's early career.
저는 그 배우의 데뷔작부터 팬이었어요.
I've been a fan of that actor since their debut work.
Cultural Context
In K-pop, '데뷔' (debut) is a monumental event. Groups often have a '데뷔 쇼케이스' (debut showcase) to introduce themselves and their music. The concept of 'rookie' (신인) is closely tied to debut, referring to artists who have recently debuted. Fans eagerly anticipate and celebrate their favorite artists' debuts, often buying their debut albums in large quantities to show support.
Editorial note
We review entries like 데뷔 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
데뷔 무대
Debut stage
데뷔 앨범
Debut album
성공적인 데뷔
Successful debut
Related Expressions
데뷔하다
Debyuhada
To debut
신인
Sin-in
Rookie, newcomer
컴백
Keombaek
Comeback (return with new music)
활동
Hwaldong
Activities, promotions
More Music Words
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