Korean Dictionary
How to say "Defense" in Korean
“Defense” in Korean is 방어 (pronounced "Bangeeo").
방어
Bangeeo
Usage & Context
Military term related to defense. Important vocabulary for understanding Korean military culture and defense terminology.
Example Sentence
이것은 방어에 대한 예문입니다.
This is an example sentence about defense.
How to use 방어 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Defense” is 방어, romanized as Bangeeo.
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 방어.
Pronunciation Guide
For 방어 (bangeo), 'bang' sounds like the English word 'bang' (as in an explosion), and 'eo' is similar to the 'uh' sound in 'duh' but slightly more open. The 'ng' sound smoothly transitions into the 'eo' vowel.
More Example Sentences
Sports commentary, e.g., soccer or basketball.
우리 팀은 강력한 방어로 상대 공격을 막아냈습니다.
Our team blocked the opponent's attack with strong defense.
Discussion about national security or military readiness.
적의 침략에 대비한 방어 태세를 갖춰야 합니다.
We must be prepared for defense against enemy invasion.
Describing a situation of self-defense in a legal or personal context.
그는 자신을 방어하기 위해 어쩔 수 없이 싸웠습니다.
He had no choice but to fight to defend himself.
Cultural Context
While '방어' is a key term in military and national security discussions in South Korea, it's also widely used in everyday contexts. For instance, in sports, it refers to a team's defensive play (though '수비' is also common). The concept of defense, whether national, personal, or in a game, resonates strongly in a society that values security and preparedness.
Editorial note
We review entries like 방어 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
방어하다
To defend
자기 방어
Self-defense
방어 태세
Defensive posture
Related Expressions
수비
subi
Defense (often in sports)
공격
gonggyeok
Attack
국방
gukbang
National defense
방어선
bangeoseon
Defensive line
More Military Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Defense and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
