Korean Dictionary
How to say "Referee" in Korean
“Referee” in Korean is 심판 (pronounced "simpan").
심판
simpan
Usage & Context
A referee is an official who enforces rules during sports competitions. Referees make important decisions about fouls and penalties.
Example Sentence
심판이 결정을 내렸어요.
The referee made a decision.
How to use 심판 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Referee” is 심판, romanized as simpan.
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 심판.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "심판" sounds like "shim-pahn". "심" is pronounced like "shim" in "shimmy", and "판" is like "pahn" in "pant" (without the 't' sound, ending with 'n'). The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Discussing a controversial sports game with friends or family.
심판의 판정에 모두가 불만을 가졌어요.
Everyone was dissatisfied with the referee's decision.
A coach or parent explaining sportsmanship rules to a young player.
경기 중에 심판에게 항의하면 안 돼요.
You shouldn't protest to the referee during the game.
Talking about a former athlete's career transition.
그는 은퇴 후 축구 심판이 되었습니다.
He became a soccer referee after retirement.
Cultural Context
"심판" is a native Korean word, not a loanword, and is used across all sports. It can also refer to a judge in a court of law or a general arbiter. In Korean sports culture, the referee's decisions are often a hot topic of discussion among fans, sometimes leading to passionate debates, especially in popular sports like soccer and baseball. The phrase "오심" (osim), meaning a 'wrong judgment by a referee', is frequently heard in sports commentary and fan discussions.
Editorial note
We review entries like 심판 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
심판을 보다
to officiate (as a referee)
심판의 권한
referee's authority
심판 판정
referee's decision
Related Expressions
주심
jusim
head referee, chief umpire
부심
busim
assistant referee, linesman
판사
pansa
judge (in court)
선수
seonsu
player (opposite role)
More Sports Words
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