Korean Dictionary
How to say "Player" in Korean
“Player” in Korean is 선수 (pronounced "seonsu").
선수
seonsu
Usage & Context
A player is a person who participates in sports. Players compete individually or as part of teams.
Example Sentence
선수가 되고 싶어요.
I want to become a player.
How to use 선수 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Player” is 선수, romanized as seonsu.
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 선수.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "선수" sounds like "seon-soo". "선" is pronounced like "seon" in "sun", and "수" is like "soo" in "soon". The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Discussing a star player's performance with fellow sports fans.
그 선수는 이번 시즌에 최고의 활약을 보여줬어요.
That player showed the best performance this season.
Sharing childhood aspirations with a friend or family member.
어릴 때부터 축구 선수가 되는 게 꿈이었어요.
It was my dream to become a soccer player since I was young.
Giving an update on a sports team's current activities.
우리 팀 선수들이 모두 열심히 훈련하고 있어요.
All the players on our team are training hard.
Cultural Context
"선수" is a native Korean word and is a very common and important term in Korean sports culture. It's not just for professional athletes; anyone participating in a sport can be called a "선수". The term carries a sense of dedication and skill. Interestingly, "선수" can also be used informally to refer to someone who is very skilled or experienced in a particular field, like a "연애 선수" (yeonae seonsu), which literally means 'love player' but refers to someone who is very good at dating or relationships.
Editorial note
We review entries like 선수 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
선수 등록
player registration
선수 생활
player's career/life as a player
주전 선수
starting player
Related Expressions
운동선수
undongseonsu
athlete (more formal/general)
국가대표 선수
gukgadaepyo seonsu
national team player
팀원
timwon
team member
감독
gamdok
head coach, manager (opposite role)
More Sports Words
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