Korean Dictionary
How to say "Journalist" in Korean
“Journalist” in Korean is 기자 (pronounced "gija").
기자
gija
Usage & Context
A journalist is a person who gathers and reports news. In Korea, journalists play a vital role in political and social discourse.
Example Sentence
그 기자는 특종을 보도했다.
The journalist reported an exclusive scoop.
How to use 기자 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Journalist” is 기자, romanized as gija.
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 기자.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'gee-jah' — 기 rhymes with English 'key', and 자 sounds like 'jah' (as in 'Java'). The -자 suffix again means 'person'.
More Example Sentences
Introducing family at a dinner party.
우리 누나는 방송국에서 일하는 기자예요.
My older sister is a journalist who works at a broadcasting station.
Describing a live press briefing on the news.
기자가 대통령에게 날카로운 질문을 던졌다.
The journalist threw a sharp question at the president.
Advice to a high schooler choosing a university major.
기자 지망생들은 주로 신문방송학과를 전공해요.
Aspiring journalists usually major in journalism and broadcasting.
Cultural Context
Major Korean newspapers like 조선일보, 중앙일보, and 한겨레 hire 기자 through notoriously competitive exams known as 언론고시 ('media civil-service exam'), which test Korean essay writing and current affairs. Journalists are addressed with the honorific title 기자님 in professional settings. The role carries cultural weight but also criticism — the slang term 기레기 (from 기자 + 쓰레기, 'trash') is used to mock journalists seen as sensationalist or biased.
Editorial note
We review entries like 기자 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
기자입니다.
I am a journalist.
기자님, 질문 있습니다.
Reporter, I have a question.
기자 준비하고 있어요.
I'm preparing to become a journalist.
Related Expressions
기자님
gijanim
Reporter/journalist (honorific address)
언론인
eollonin
Media professional / member of the press
특파원
teukpawon
Foreign correspondent
기레기
giregi
Trash reporter (derogatory slang)
More Media & Journalism Words
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