Korean Dictionary
How to say "Reward" in Korean
“Reward” in Korean is 보상 (pronounced "Bosang").
보상
Bosang
Usage & Context
Something given in recognition of good behavior or achievement. Korean parents use rewards to motivate children and reinforce positive behavior.
Example Sentence
좋은 행동에 대한 보상을 줍니다.
I give rewards for good behavior.
How to use 보상 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Reward” is 보상, romanized as Bosang.
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 보상.
Pronunciation Guide
보 (bo) sounds like 'boh' as in 'bow' (for a violin). 상 (sang) is pronounced like 'sahng' as in 'song' but with an 'ah' sound. The two syllables are pronounced evenly, without a strong accent.
More Example Sentences
A school announcement about an awards ceremony.
열심히 공부한 학생들에게 보상이 주어졌습니다.
Rewards were given to students who studied hard.
A parent talking about motivating their child.
좋은 행동에 대한 보상으로 아이스크림을 사줬어요.
I bought ice cream as a reward for good behavior.
Describing the outcome of someone's hard work.
그의 노력은 결국 큰 보상으로 돌아왔다.
His efforts eventually came back as a big reward.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, '보상' (reward) is often linked to achievement, especially academic success or diligent work. Parents frequently use rewards to motivate children to study hard or behave well. This can range from small treats to more significant gifts for reaching milestones like good grades. The concept of '보상 심리' (bosang simni, reward psychology) is also commonly discussed in relation to consumer behavior or work-life balance.
Editorial note
We review entries like 보상 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
보상을 받다
to receive a reward
보상을 주다
to give a reward
노력에 대한 보상
reward for effort
Related Expressions
상
sang
prize, award
선물
seonmul
gift
벌칙
beolchik
penalty, punishment
보상하다
bosanghada
to reward, to compensate
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