Korean Dictionary
How to say "Junior / Hoobae" in Korean
“Junior / Hoobae” in Korean is 후배 (pronounced "Hoobae").
후배
Hoobae
Usage & Context
후배 (hoobae) refers to someone who is junior to you in school, work, or any organization. The Korean social hierarchy makes the sunbae (senior) and hoobae (junior) relationship important in daily interactions. The senior is expected to guide and the junior to show respect.
Example Sentence
후배들이 잘 따라줘서 고마워요.
I'm grateful that my juniors follow my lead well.
How to use 후배 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Junior / Hoobae” is 후배, romanized as Hoobae.
Usage tip
Relationship words can sound too direct if the social context is wrong. Check the age, closeness, and formality before using it.
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 후배.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "Hoobae" is pronounced "hoo-bay." "Hoo" is like "hoo" in "hoot," and "bae" is like "bay" in "bay window."
More Example Sentences
A senior expressing appreciation for their juniors.
후배들이 잘 따라줘서 고마워요.
I'm grateful that my juniors follow my lead well.
Sharing news about a colleague's career advancement.
우리 회사 후배가 이번에 승진했어요.
My junior at work got promoted this time.
A junior expressing gratitude to a senior for a treat.
선배님, 후배들한테 밥 사주셔서 감사합니다!
Sunbae-nim, thank you for buying us juniors a meal!
Cultural Context
후배 (hoobae) is a crucial term in the Korean social hierarchy, referring to someone junior to you in school, work, or any organization. The relationship with a 선배 (sunbae) is deeply ingrained, where juniors are expected to show respect and often receive guidance, mentorship, and even meals from their seniors. This dynamic is a cornerstone of Korean social life, influencing everything from communication style to social gatherings, and is frequently depicted in K-dramas set in schools or workplaces.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 후배 against age, closeness, and politeness rules, because a literal English match often misses the social meaning.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
직장 후배
Work junior
학교 후배
School junior
후배 사랑
Love for juniors (implying taking care of them)
Related Expressions
선배
Sunbae
Senior (opposite of hoobae)
동기
Donggi
Peer, same-year cohort
신입
Sinip
Newcomer, rookie
막내
Mangnae
Youngest (often used affectionately for the youngest in a group)
More Relationships Words
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