Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sergeant" in Korean
“Sergeant” in Korean is 중사 (pronounced "Jungsa").
중사
Jungsa
Usage & Context
Military term related to sergeant. Important vocabulary for understanding Korean military culture and defense terminology.
Example Sentence
이것은 중사에 대한 예문입니다.
This is an example sentence about sergeant.
How to use 중사 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sergeant” is 중사, romanized as Jungsa.
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 중사.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 중 (jung), sounds like 'joong' in 'moon' but with a 'j' sound at the beginning. The second syllable, 사 (sa), sounds like 'sa' in 'sad' or 'saw' (without the 'w' sound). The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Describing a superior officer's personality.
저희 부대 중사님은 정말 엄격하세요.
Our unit's sergeant is really strict.
A subordinate addressing a sergeant by rank and name.
김 중사님, 보고서 준비 다 됐습니다.
Sergeant Kim, the report is ready.
Reflecting on past military service and rank.
그는 전역 후에도 중사 시절 이야기를 자주 합니다.
Even after discharge, he often talks about his time as a sergeant.
Cultural Context
In the South Korean military, 중사 (Jungsa) is a non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank, typically equivalent to a Staff Sergeant or Sergeant First Class. NCOs like 중사 are the backbone of the military, responsible for training and leading soldiers. Respect for rank is crucial, so adding the honorific '-님' (nim) to address them as '중사님' is common and polite. K-dramas featuring military life, such as 'Descendants of the Sun,' often depict the significant role and hierarchy of NCOs.
Editorial note
We review entries like 중사 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
중사 진급
Promotion to sergeant
중사 계급
Sergeant rank
중사님께 보고하다
To report to the sergeant
Related Expressions
하사
hasa
Staff Sergeant (lower NCO rank)
상사
sangsa
Master Sergeant (higher NCO rank)
병장
byeongjang
Sergeant (highest enlisted rank)
부사관
busagwan
Non-commissioned officer (general term)
More Military Words
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