Korean Dictionary
How to say "Vice Principal" in Korean
“Vice Principal” in Korean is 교감 (pronounced "gyogam").
교감
gyogam
Usage & Context
The assistant principal who helps manage school operations. The vice principal often handles discipline and student conduct matters. This is an important administrative position in Korean schools.
Example Sentence
교감선생님은 학생들의 행동을 감시한다.
The vice principal monitors student behavior.
How to use 교감 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Vice Principal” is 교감, romanized as gyogam.
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 교감.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'gyo-gam' — 'gyo' blends 'g' + 'yo' quickly, and 'gam' rhymes with 'gum' but with a clearer 'ah' vowel. Short, two equal syllables.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
교감 선생님
gyogam seonsaengnim
Respectful form used by students, staff, and parents when addressing or referring to the vice principal.
Casual (반말)
교감
gyogam
The bare noun used in news or written contexts; not used to address the person directly.
More Example Sentences
Describing a typical school scene
교감 선생님이 복도를 순찰하고 계세요.
The vice principal is patrolling the hallway.
Teacher preparing paperwork
교감 선생님께 결재 받아야 해요.
We need to get the vice principal's approval.
Students gossiping at lunch
교감 선생님이 교장 선생님보다 더 엄하세요.
The vice principal is stricter than the principal.
Cultural Context
In Korean schools, the 교감 is usually the 'hands-on' administrator who handles day-to-day operations, teacher supervision, and student discipline, while the 교장 serves more ceremonial roles. Students often see the 교감 as the stricter figure because they are frequently in the halls making sure uniforms are correct and students aren't running or skipping class. The career path is usually teacher → 교감 → 교장.
Editorial note
We review entries like 교감 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
교감 선생님이 부르세요.
The vice principal is calling you.
교감 선생님께 여쭤볼게요.
I'll ask the vice principal.
교감 선생님이 무서워요.
The vice principal is scary.
Related Expressions
교감실
gyogamsil
vice principal's office
교장
gyojang
principal
부교장
bugyojang
deputy principal (rare term)
학생주임
haksaengjuim
dean of students / discipline teacher
More School Life Words
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