Korean Dictionary
How to say "Embezzlement" in Korean
“Embezzlement” in Korean is 횡령 (pronounced "Hoengnyeong").
횡령
Hoengnyeong
Usage & Context
Stealing money or property entrusted to one's care. Embezzlement is a white-collar crime prosecuted in South Korea.
Example Sentence
그는 회사 자금을 횡령했습니다.
He embezzled company funds.
How to use 횡령 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Embezzlement” is 횡령, romanized as Hoengnyeong.
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 횡령.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'Hoeng', sounds like 'hweng' or 'hong' in 'Hong Kong' but with a 'w' sound at the beginning and a slightly more open 'eo' vowel. The second syllable, 'nyeong', sounds like 'nyung' in 'young' but with a clear 'n' sound at the beginning.
More Example Sentences
A legal news report.
그는 회사 자금을 횡령한 혐의로 기소되었습니다.
He was indicted on charges of embezzling company funds.
A government official's statement.
공금 횡령은 중대한 범죄입니다.
Embezzlement of public funds is a serious crime.
A newspaper headline.
대규모 횡령 사건이 발생하여 사회에 큰 충격을 주었습니다.
A large-scale embezzlement case occurred, causing a great shock to society.
Cultural Context
'횡령' (hoengnyeong) is a frequently reported white-collar crime in South Korea, often involving high-profile individuals, especially within chaebol (family-controlled conglomerates) families or public institutions. These cases often spark public outrage due to the perceived betrayal of trust and misuse of funds. K-dramas and films often feature storylines centered around embezzlement, portraying the intricate schemes and their dramatic consequences.
Editorial note
We review entries like 횡령 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
회사 자금 횡령
Embezzlement of company funds
공금 횡령
Embezzlement of public funds
횡령 혐의
Embezzlement charge
Related Expressions
착복
Chakbok
Misappropriation (often of public funds)
배임
Baeim
Breach of trust, malfeasance
사기
Sagi
Fraud
절도
Jeoldo
Theft
More Law & Government Words
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