Korean Dictionary
How to say "Yangban (Aristocracy)" in Korean
“Yangban (Aristocracy)” in Korean is 양반 (pronounced "yangban").
양반
yangban
Usage & Context
Yangban (양반) were the ruling class of the Joseon Dynasty, composed of civil and military officials. They held land, status, and power and were expected to study Confucian classics. The term is still used informally to describe a person of noble character.
Example Sentence
양반은 조선 시대의 지배 계층이었어요.
Yangban were the ruling class of the Joseon era.
How to use 양반 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Yangban (Aristocracy)” is 양반, romanized as yangban.
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 양반.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'yang' in 'yangban' sounds like the 'young' in 'young man,' but with a slightly more open 'a' sound. 'Ban' rhymes with 'bon' in 'bon voyage.' The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Describing someone with refined manners.
그 분은 정말 양반처럼 행동하세요.
He truly acts like a noble person.
Discussing historical values.
옛날에는 양반들이 글을 읽고 쓰는 것을 중요하게 생각했어요.
In the old days, yangban considered reading and writing very important.
Talking about K-drama themes.
드라마에서 양반 가문의 이야기가 자주 나와요.
Stories of yangban families often appear in dramas.
Cultural Context
The term 'yangban' originally referred to the civil and military officials of the Joseon Dynasty, forming the ruling elite. Beyond its historical meaning, it's still used informally today to describe someone with refined manners, a dignified demeanor, or even a bit ironically, someone who is overly formal or perhaps a bit out of touch. In historical K-dramas, yangban characters are often depicted with specific attire, speech patterns, and social expectations, highlighting their distinct status.
Editorial note
We review entries like 양반 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
양반집 자제
Son/daughter of a noble family
양반다리
Cross-legged sitting (traditional way of sitting)
양반 출신
From a yangban background
Related Expressions
사대부
sadaebu
Scholar-officials (similar to yangban, emphasizing scholarly aspect)
귀족
gwijok
Aristocrat, noble (general term for nobility)
상민
sangmin
Commoner (opposite of yangban in Joseon society)
선비
seonbi
Scholar (often a yangban who dedicated to study)
More Korean History Words
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