Korean Dictionary
How to say "Foul" in Korean
“Foul” in Korean is 파울 (pronounced "paul").
파울
paul
Usage & Context
A foul is a violation of rules in sports. Committing fouls can result in penalties or loss of points.
Example Sentence
파울을 했어요.
I committed a foul.
How to use 파울 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Foul” is 파울, romanized as paul.
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 파울.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "파울" sounds like "pah-ool". "파" is pronounced like "pah" in "father", and "울" is like "ool" in "pool". The stress is fairly even, but a slight emphasis on the first syllable, "파", is common.
More Example Sentences
Watching a basketball game with friends and commenting on the play.
농구 경기에서 파울이 너무 많았어.
There were too many fouls in the basketball game.
A sports commentator reporting on a controversial moment in a match.
그 선수는 고의적인 파울로 퇴장당했어요.
That player was ejected for an intentional foul.
Discussing a soccer match with friends, expressing frustration over a specific play.
축구에서 핸드볼 파울은 정말 아쉬워요.
A handball foul in soccer is really disappointing.
Cultural Context
"파울" is a direct loanword from English "foul" and is widely used in various sports in Korea, especially in soccer (축구), basketball (농구), and baseball (야구). It's common to hear commentators or fans shout "파울!" during a game when a violation occurs. Koreans often use it interchangeably with the English word in casual sports conversations, reflecting the global influence on sports terminology.
Editorial note
We review entries like 파울 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
파울을 범하다
to commit a foul
파울을 선언하다
to call a foul (by a referee)
파울 트러블
foul trouble (in basketball)
Related Expressions
반칙
banchik
foul, violation (general term for breaking rules)
위반
wiban
violation, infringement (more formal)
오류
oryu
error, mistake (general, not specific to rules)
정정당당
jeongjeongdangdang
fair play, honorable (antonym concept)
More Sports Words
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