Korean Dictionary
How to say "Plaintiff" in Korean
“Plaintiff” in Korean is 원고 (pronounced "Wonggo").
원고
Wonggo
Usage & Context
A person who brings a civil lawsuit against another person. The plaintiff must prove their case in court to win damages or other relief.
Example Sentence
원고는 손해배상을 청구했습니다.
The plaintiff claimed damages.
How to use 원고 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Plaintiff” is 원고, romanized as Wonggo.
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 원고.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 원 (won), sounds like 'won' in 'won a prize'. The second syllable, 고 (go), sounds like 'go' in 'go'. The 'ngg' in the Romanization 'Wonggo' indicates a slight hardening of the 'g' sound after 'n', but it's generally pronounced smoothly.
More Example Sentences
Describing the initial step of filing a civil lawsuit.
원고는 법원에 소장을 제출했습니다.
The plaintiff submitted a complaint to the court.
A scene in a courtroom where a witness is being called to testify.
원고 측 변호사가 증인을 불렀습니다.
The plaintiff's lawyer called a witness.
Discussing a high-profile civil lawsuit involving a corporate entity.
이 사건의 원고는 유명한 기업입니다.
The plaintiff in this case is a famous company.
Cultural Context
Like '피고', '원고' (wonggo) is a formal legal term used exclusively in civil lawsuits to refer to the party initiating the legal action. It's not used in criminal cases. While common in legal news and dramas, in casual conversation, Koreans would more likely say '소송을 건 사람' (sosong-eul geon saram, the person who filed the lawsuit) rather than '원고'.
Editorial note
We review entries like 원고 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
원고 제출
submission of a complaint (by plaintiff)
원고 승소
plaintiff wins (the case)
원고 패소
plaintiff loses (the case)
Related Expressions
피고
pigo
defendant
소송
sosong
lawsuit
변호사
byeonhosa
lawyer
원고 측
wonggo cheuk
the plaintiff's side
More Law & Government Words
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