Korean Dictionary
How to say "Spy" in Korean
“Spy” in Korean is 스파이 (pronounced "Seupai").
스파이
Seupai
Usage & Context
Military term related to spy. Important vocabulary for understanding Korean military culture and defense terminology.
Example Sentence
이것은 스파이에 대한 예문입니다.
This is an example sentence about spy.
How to use 스파이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Spy” is 스파이, romanized as Seupai.
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 스파이.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Seu' like 'Sue' without the 'e' sound, 'pa' like 'pah' in 'father', and 'i' like 'ee' in 'see'. The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
Describing a character in a spy movie or novel.
그는 이중 스파이로 활동했다.
He worked as a double agent.
A casual comment about the portrayal of spies in media.
첩보 영화에서 스파이는 항상 멋있게 나온다.
Spies always look cool in spy movies.
Observing children's imaginative play.
아이들이 스파이 놀이를 하고 있다.
The children are playing spy games.
Cultural Context
스파이 (seupai) is a direct loanword from English 'spy'. It's widely understood and used in South Korea, especially in the context of movies, dramas, and news related to international espionage. Given Korea's geopolitical situation, discussions around intelligence and potential spy activities are not uncommon, making this a familiar term.
Editorial note
We review entries like 스파이 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
스파이 영화
spy movie
이중 스파이
double agent
스파이 활동
spy activity
Related Expressions
첩보원
cheopbowon
intelligence agent (more formal/traditional)
간첩
gancheop
spy (often specifically referring to North Korean spies in South Korea)
밀정
miljeong
secret agent, informant (often historical context)
정보원
jeongbowon
informant, source of information
More Military Words
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