Korean Dictionary
How to say "Jack of All Trades" in Korean
“Jack of All Trades” in Korean is 팔방미인 (pronounced "Palbangmiin").
팔방미인
Palbangmiin
Usage & Context
Palbangmiin literally means a beauty from all eight directions. While it can mean someone who is talented in many areas, it can also imply someone who is good at everything but master of none.
Example Sentence
그는 팔방미인이라 무엇이든 잘해요.
He is a jack of all trades and does everything well.
How to use 팔방미인 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Jack of All Trades” is 팔방미인, romanized as Palbangmiin.
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 팔방미인.
Pronunciation Guide
For '팔방' (pal-bang), 'pal' sounds like 'pal' in 'palace', and 'bang' like 'bang'. For '미인' (mi-in), 'mi' sounds like 'me', and 'in' like 'in'.
More Example Sentences
Praising a multi-talented friend.
내 친구는 정말 팔방미인이야. 노래도 잘하고 그림도 잘 그려.
My friend is truly a jack of all trades. They sing well and draw well too.
Discussing a versatile celebrity.
그 배우는 연기뿐만 아니라 요리, 운동까지 잘하는 팔방미인으로 유명해요.
That actor is famous as a jack of all trades, not only acting but also cooking and sports.
Appreciating a capable team leader.
우리 팀장님은 팔방미인이라 어떤 문제든 해결책을 찾아내세요.
Our team leader is a jack of all trades, so they find solutions to any problem.
Cultural Context
'팔방미인' literally translates to 'beauty in eight directions.' It refers to someone who is talented or skilled in many different areas. Unlike the English 'jack of all trades, master of none,' the Korean '팔방미인' generally carries a positive connotation, implying versatility and competence. While it can sometimes imply a lack of deep specialization, it's more often used to praise someone's diverse abilities. It's a common compliment for people who excel in multiple fields, whether in academics, arts, sports, or professional skills.
Editorial note
We review entries like 팔방미인 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
그는 정말 팔방미인이야.
He's truly a jack of all trades.
팔방미인처럼 되고 싶어.
I want to be like a jack of all trades.
우리 회사에 팔방미인이 필요해.
Our company needs a jack of all trades.
Related Expressions
재주꾼
Jaejukkun
talented person
다재다능하다
Dajaedaneunghada
to be versatile, multi-talented
전문가
Jeonmunga
expert, specialist
재능
Jaeneung
talent
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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