Korean Dictionary
How to say "Rights" in Korean
“Rights” in Korean is 권리 (pronounced "Gwonli").
권리
Gwonli
Usage & Context
Entitlements or freedoms guaranteed to people by law. South Korea's Constitution guarantees various rights to all citizens.
Example Sentence
모든 사람은 기본 권리를 가집니다.
Everyone has basic rights.
How to use 권리 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Rights” is 권리, romanized as Gwonli.
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 권리.
Pronunciation Guide
Say '권리' as 'gwon-li'. '권' sounds like 'gwon' as in 'Taekwondo', and '리' sounds like 'lee' in 'Lee'. The first syllable 'gwon' has a slightly stronger emphasis.
More Example Sentences
Discussing fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.
모든 국민은 교육을 받을 권리가 있습니다.
All citizens have the right to receive education.
Giving advice on self-advocacy.
자신의 권리를 주장하는 것은 중요합니다.
It's important to assert your rights.
Reporting on a consumer protection issue.
소비자의 권리가 침해당했습니다.
The consumer's rights were infringed upon.
Cultural Context
'권리' is a fundamental concept in Korean society, often discussed in relation to human rights (인권), labor rights (노동권), and consumer rights (소비자 권리). Public discourse frequently involves debates about protecting or expanding various '권리'. K-dramas or news often feature characters fighting for their '권리' against injustice, resonating with the public's sense of fairness.
Editorial note
We review entries like 권리 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
권리를 주장하다
to assert one's rights
권리를 침해하다
to infringe upon rights
기본 권리
basic rights
Related Expressions
의무
uimu
duty, obligation (antonym)
자유
jayu
freedom, liberty
권한
gwonhan
authority, power (often official)
인권
ingwon
human rights
More Law & Government Words
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