Korean Dictionary
How to say "Reserve forces" in Korean
“Reserve forces” in Korean is 예비군 (pronounced "Yebigun").
예비군
Yebigun
Usage & Context
Military term related to reserve forces. Important vocabulary for understanding Korean military culture and defense terminology.
Example Sentence
이것은 예비군에 대한 예문입니다.
This is an example sentence about reserve forces.
How to use 예비군 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Reserve forces” is 예비군, romanized as Yebigun.
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 예비군.
Pronunciation Guide
For '예비군', pronounce '예' like 'ye' in 'yes'. '비' sounds like 'bee' in 'bee-hive'. '군' is like 'goon' in 'goon squad'. The pronunciation is relatively straightforward, with even stress across syllables.
More Example Sentences
A man telling his friends about his weekend plans.
이번 주말에 예비군 훈련이 있어요.
I have reserve forces training this weekend.
Explaining the post-military system to a foreigner.
한국 남자들은 전역 후에도 예비군으로 편성됩니다.
Korean men are organized into reserve forces even after discharge.
Describing the appearance of reserve soldiers.
예비군 복장은 전투복과 비슷해요.
Reserve forces uniform is similar to combat uniform.
Cultural Context
'예비군' refers to the reserve forces in South Korea, which all able-bodied men must join after completing their mandatory military service. They undergo annual training for several years, which is often a source of both minor annoyance and camaraderie among men. It's a common topic of conversation and sometimes humor, as men often share stories or lightheartedly complain about their '예비군 훈련' (reserve training).
Editorial note
We review entries like 예비군 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
예비군 가야 해
I have to go to reserve training.
예비군복
Reserve forces uniform
예비군 아저씨
(Informal/humorous) Reserve forces uncle (referring to older reserve members)
Related Expressions
예비군 훈련
Yebigun hullyeon
Reserve forces training
민방위
Minbangwi
Civil defense (follows 예비군 obligation)
현역
Hyeonyeok
Active duty (opposite of reserve)
군인
Gunin
Soldier
More Military Words
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