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A2 noun #3,000 am häufigsten 4 Min. Lesezeit

부부

At the A1 level, you just need to know that '부부' means a husband and wife. It is a noun. You might see it in simple sentences about families. For example, '부부가 식당에 가요' (The couple goes to a restaurant). It is easy to remember because it repeats the sound 'bu'. Think of it as 'Bu' (husband) and 'Bu' (wife) together. It is a very common word in basic family introductions.
At the A2 level, you should start using '부부' with simple adjectives. You can talk about '신혼 부부' (newlyweds) or '노부부' (old couple). You should also understand that '부부' is only for married people. If you see two people who are just dating, you should use '커플' instead. You can use '부부' to describe your parents or neighbors. It is a useful word for describing social groups in Korea.
At the B1 level, you can use '부부' in more complex sentences involving social issues or habits. For example, '맞벌이 부부' (dual-income couples) is a very important term in modern Korea. You should be able to discuss the challenges or lifestyles of different types of '부부'. You might also encounter the word in proverbs, like '부부 싸움은 칼로 물 베기', which teaches you about Korean cultural attitudes toward marriage and conflict resolution.
At the B2 level, you should understand the Hanja roots (夫 - husband, 婦 - wife) and how they relate to other words like '부인' (wife) or '남편' (husband). You can use '부부' in formal discussions about sociology, marriage rates, or legal rights. You should also be able to distinguish between '부부' and '내외', using the latter in more formal or traditional settings to show respect to an older couple.
At the C1 level, you should be comfortable with the nuanced use of '부부' in literature and high-level discourse. This includes understanding idiomatic expressions like '부부 일심동체' (the couple is one body and mind) and being able to critique the traditional expectations placed on '부부' in Korean society. You should also recognize how the term is used in legal contexts, such as '부부 관계' (marital relations) or '부부 재산' (marital property).
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '부부'. You can use it in academic writing or professional legal settings. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its cultural weight. You can discuss the shifting definitions of '부부' in the context of modern legal debates regarding non-traditional partnerships and how the term might be evolving or being challenged in contemporary Korean linguistics and law.
Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

부부 in 30 Sekunden

  • 부부 means a married couple (husband and wife).
  • It is derived from Hanja: 夫 (husband) + 婦 (wife).
  • Used only for married pairs, not dating couples.
  • Common in daily life, media, and formal contexts.

The term 부부 (夫婦) is the foundational Korean word for a married couple. It is derived from Hanja, where 부 (夫) represents 'husband' and 부 (婦) represents 'wife'. Unlike the English word 'couple', which can refer to any two people in a romantic relationship, 부부 specifically denotes a legally or socially recognized marriage. In Korean society, where family structure is the bedrock of social organization, this word carries a sense of permanence and shared destiny.

Etymological Root
夫 (Husband) + 婦 (Wife) = A union of two individuals.
Social Nuance
Implies a shared household and legal commitment.
Usage Frequency
Extremely high in daily conversation, news, and literature.

"그들은 정말 금슬 좋은 부부예요." (They are a couple with a very good relationship.)

When you use this word, you are acknowledging the formal bond between two people. It is often paired with adjectives that describe the quality of their relationship, such as '잉꼬부부' (a devoted couple, literally 'lovebird couple') or '신혼부부' (newlyweds). Understanding 부부 is essential for navigating Korean social circles, as asking about someone's spouse or referring to a pair of hosts often requires this specific term.

"부부 싸움은 칼로 물 베기." (A quarrel between husband and wife is like cutting water with a knife—meaning it doesn't last.)

Honorific Form
부부님 (rarely used directly) or 내외분 (more formal/honorific).

"우리 부부는 주말마다 등산을 가요." (We, as a couple, go hiking every weekend.)

Using 부부 correctly involves understanding its role as a collective noun. It functions as the subject or object of a sentence to describe the actions or status of a married pair. It is most commonly used in the following contexts: describing relationship status, discussing household decisions, or referring to others' marriages in a polite but standard way.

  • As a Subject: "부부가 닮았어요" (The couple looks alike).
  • With Modifiers: "신혼 부부" (Newlywed couple), "노부부" (Elderly couple).
  • In Idioms: "부부 일심동체" (Husband and wife are one body and mind).

When speaking about your own marriage to others, you might say "우리 부부는..." (Our couple/We as a couple...). However, in very formal settings when referring to someone else's marriage, the term 내외 (內外) or 내외분 is often preferred to show higher respect, though 부부 is perfectly acceptable in 90% of daily interactions.

"그 부부는 성격이 참 좋아요." (That couple has a very good personality.)

You will encounter 부부 in various settings, from legal documents to reality TV shows. In Korea, reality programs like "동상이몽" (Same Bed, Different Dreams) or "부부의 세계" (The World of the Married - a famous drama) frequently use this word to explore the dynamics of marriage. It is also a staple in news reports concerning demographics, such as '맞벌이 부부' (dual-income couples).

In a social context, if you attend a wedding, the officiant will invariably use the word 부부 when declaring the union. In neighborhood settings, you might hear older residents referring to a pair of neighbors as "저기 저 부부" (that couple over there). It is a neutral, respectful, and clear way to identify a married pair without needing to know their individual names or titles.

A common mistake for English speakers is using 부부 to refer to an unmarried dating couple. For dating couples, the word 커플 (couple) or 연인 (lovers) is used. Calling an unmarried couple '부부' might be seen as a joke or a premature assumption of their relationship status.

Another mistake is confusing 부부 with 부인 (wife). While they sound similar, 부부 is the pair, while 부인 is specifically the wife (often used honorifically for someone else's wife). Ensure you use the collective term when referring to both individuals together.

Several words overlap with 부부, each with a specific nuance:

내외 (內外)
Literally 'Inside and Outside'. A more formal/traditional way to refer to a husband and wife.
가락 (Garak)
An archaic or poetic way to refer to a pair, though rarely used for couples today.
반려자 (Banryeoja)
Life partner. This is more emotional and focuses on the companionship rather than the legal status.
커플 (Couple)
Loanword used mostly for dating pairs or casual contexts.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

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Informell

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Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

그들은 부부예요.

They are a married couple.

Simple noun + 이다 (to be) verb.

2

부부가 같이 와요.

The couple comes together.

Subject marker '가' used.

3

우리 부모님은 부부예요.

My parents are a couple.

Describing family relations.

4

부부가 밥을 먹어요.

The couple eats a meal.

Present tense action.

5

저 부부는 누구예요?

Who is that couple?

Demonstrative '저' (that).

6

부부가 행복해요.

The couple is happy.

Adjective usage.

7

부부가 집을 사요.

The couple buys a house.

Object marker '을' used with the house.

8

부부가 산책해요.

The couple takes a walk.

Compound verb '산책하다'.

1

신혼 부부가 여행을 가요.

The newlywed couple goes on a trip.

Compound noun '신혼 부부'.

2

그 부부는 정말 친절해요.

That couple is really kind.

Adverb '정말' (really).

3

노부부가 공원에 앉아 있어요.

An elderly couple is sitting in the park.

Progressive state '-아/어 있다'.

4

부부 싸움을 했어요?

Did you have a couple's quarrel?

Past tense question.

5

우리 부부는 주말에 쉬어요.

Our couple (We) rests on weekends.

Possessive '우리' (our/we).

6

부부가 닮으면 잘 산대요.

They say if a couple looks alike, they live well.

Conditional '-면' and quoted speech '-대요'.

7

그 부부는 아이가 없어요.

That couple has no children.

Negative existence '없다'.

8

부부가 함께 요리해요.

The couple cooks together.

Adverb '함께' (together).

1

요즘은 맞벌이 부부가 많아졌어요.

These days, dual-income couples have increased.

Change of state '-아/어지다'.

2

부부 사이에는 믿음이 중요해요.

Trust is important between a husband and wife.

Postposition '사이에' (between).

3

그 부부는 10년 전에 결혼했어요.

That couple got married 10 years ago.

Time expression '전에'.

4

부부 동반 모임에 가기로 했어요.

We decided to go to a gathering for couples.

Decision expression '-기로 하다'.

5

부부 관계를 개선하기 위해 노력해요.

They are making an effort to improve their marital relationship.

Purpose expression '-기 위해'.

6

주말마다 그 부부를 만나요.

I meet that couple every weekend.

Particle '마다' (every).

7

부부의 날은 5월 21일이에요.

Couple's Day is May 21st.

Possessive particle '의'.

8

부부가 서로 존중해야 해요.

A couple must respect each other.

Obligation '-해야 하다'.

1

부부 일심동체라는 말은 옛말이에요.

The saying that a couple is one body and mind is an old saying.

Quotation '-라는'.

2

그 부부는 경제적인 문제로 갈등을 겪고 있어요.

That couple is experiencing conflict due to economic issues.

Cause particle '로' and progressive '-고 있다'.

3

잉꼬부부로 소문난 그들도 싸울 때가 있겠죠.

Even they, known as a lovebird couple, must have times when they fight.

Conjecture '-겠죠'.

4

부부간의 대화가 부족하면 오해가 생겨요.

If communication between a couple is lacking, misunderstandings arise.

Suffix '-간' (between).

5

그 부부는 자녀 교육 문제로 의견이 갈렸어요.

That couple had a difference of opinion regarding their children's education.

Passive form '갈리다' (to be divided).

6

부부 합산 소득이 일정 수준을 넘어야 합니다.

The combined income of the couple must exceed a certain level.

Noun '합산' (combined).

7

그 부부는 사소한 일로 자주 다투곤 해요.

That couple often tends to quarrel over trivial matters.

Habitual action '-곤 하다'.

8

부부 상담을 통해 위기를 극복했습니다.

They overcame the crisis through marriage counseling.

Through/Via '통해'.

1

부부의 연을 맺는다는 것은 큰 책임이 따르는 일입니다.

Tying the knot as a couple is something that comes with great responsibility.

Abstract noun '연' (bond/fate).

2

황혼 이혼을 선택하는 노부부들이 급증하고 있습니다.

The number of elderly couples choosing 'twilight divorce' is surging.

Sino-Korean term '황혼 이혼'.

3

부부 공동 명의로 아파트를 구입하기로 합의했습니다.

They agreed to purchase the apartment under joint ownership.

Legal term '공동 명의'.

4

그 부부는 겉으로는 완벽해 보이지만 속사정은 다릅니다.

That couple looks perfect on the outside, but the inner circumstances are different.

Contrast '겉' vs '속사정'.

5

부부간의 정조 의무는 법적으로 명시되어 있습니다.

The duty of fidelity between a couple is clearly stated in the law.

Formal term '정조 의무'.

6

가부장적인 사회에서 부부의 역할 분담은 고정적이었습니다.

In a patriarchal society, the division of roles between a couple was fixed.

Sociological term '역할 분담'.

7

그 부부는 서로의 독립성을 존중하며 각자의 삶을 영위합니다.

The couple respects each other's independence and leads their own lives.

Advanced verb '영위하다'.

8

부부 관계의 본질은 상호 보완적인 동반자 관계에 있습니다.

The essence of a marital relationship lies in a mutually complementary partnership.

Abstract term '상호 보완적'.

1

부부라는 제도가 현대 사회에서 갖는 함의를 재고해 보아야 합니다.

We must reconsider the implications that the institution of marriage holds in modern society.

Academic term '함의' (implication).

2

법률혼 부부와 사실혼 부부 사이의 법적 권리 차이는 엄연히 존재합니다.

The difference in legal rights between legal-marriage couples and common-law couples clearly exists.

Legal distinction '법률혼' vs '사실혼'.

3

그 부부는 파경에 이르렀음에도 불구하고 자녀를 위해 쇼윈도 부부로 남기로 했습니다.

Despite reaching a breakup, they decided to remain a 'show window couple' for the sake of their children.

Idiomatic term '쇼윈도 부부'.

4

부부간의 성적 자기결정권에 대한 사회적 인식이 변화하고 있습니다.

Social awareness regarding the right to sexual self-determination between couples is changing.

Complex noun phrase.

5

전통적인 부부관이 해체되면서 다양한 형태의 가족이 등장하고 있습니다.

As traditional views on couples dissolve, various forms of families are emerging.

Passive '해체되다'.

6

부부 공동체 의식의 결여가 이혼율 증가의 주요 원인 중 하나로 지목됩니다.

The lack of a sense of couple-community is pointed out as one of the main causes of the increasing divorce rate.

Formal '지목되다'.

7

그 부부는 평생을 해로하며 서로에게 가장 든든한 버팀목이 되어주었습니다.

The couple grew old together throughout their lives, becoming each other's most reliable support.

Literary term '해로하다'.

8

부부의 연은 천생연분이라는 말로 미화되기도 하지만, 현실은 치열한 타협의 연속입니다.

The bond of a couple is sometimes beautified by the phrase 'match made in heaven,' but reality is a series of fierce compromises.

Contrastive structure.

Häufige Kollokationen

신혼 부부
노부부
잉꼬 부부
맞벌이 부부
부부 싸움
부부 동반
부부 관계
부부 클리닉
부부 상담
쇼윈도 부부

Häufige Phrasen

부부예요

부부가 닮았어요

우리 부부는

그 부부는

부부 사이

부부 일심동체

부부의 날

부부 합산

부부 공동

부부 생활

Wird oft verwechselt mit

부부 vs 커플 (dating)

부부 vs 연인 (lovers)

부부 vs 부인 (wife)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Leicht verwechselbar

부부 vs 부인

부부 vs 부부애

부부 vs 부부간

Satzmuster

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

politeness

Use '내외분' for elders.

distinction

Do not use for dating couples.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using it for dating couples.
  • Confusing it with '부인' (wife).
  • Using it for siblings (use '남매' instead).
  • Forgetting the Hanja roots.
  • Overusing '부부들' when '부부' suffices.

Tipps

Learn Modifiers

Always learn '부부' with '신혼' and '노' to describe age.

Social Unit

Remember that in Korea, a '부부' is often treated as one social entity.

No Plural Needed

You rarely need to say '부부들' unless talking about many different couples.

Pronunciation

Keep the 'u' sound short and crisp.

Context Matters

Use '부부' in essays about family or society.

Drama Clues

When you hear '부부', look for context about their relationship quality.

Water and Knife

Remember the 'cutting water' proverb for fights.

Invitations

If inviting a '부부', address the invitation to both.

Bubu

Think of it as a rhythmic sound for a pair.

Legal Terms

Learn '사실혼' (common law) vs '법률혼' (legal) for C1 level.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Bu-Bu: Two people, two sounds, one couple.

Wortherkunft

Sino-Korean

Kultureller Kontext

At Korean weddings, the couple is formally introduced as '신랑 신부' (groom and bride) before becoming '부부'.

During Chuseok or Seollal, '부부' are expected to visit both sets of parents.

When addressing a couple you don't know well, '부부' is safer than using names.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"부부가 정말 닮으셨네요!"

"신혼 부부이신가요?"

"부부 싸움 하셨어요?"

"부부 동반 모임에 오실래요?"

"그 부부는 어떻게 만났대요?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

부모님 부부의 관계에 대해 써보세요.

내가 꿈꾸는 부부의 모습은?

부부 싸움을 해결하는 좋은 방법은 무엇일까요?

맞벌이 부부의 장단점은?

부부 일심동체라는 말에 동의하나요?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should use '커플' or '우리' (we). '부부' is only for married people.

It means 'newlywed couple', usually within the first few years of marriage.

It is standard. For very formal respect, use '내외분'.

It means a quarrel or fight between a husband and wife.

Yes, '커플' (couple) or '연인' (lovers).

In modern usage, yes, though traditionally it implied a man and woman.

Use '노부부' (No-bubu).

A couple where both partners work for an income.

Yes, 夫婦.

It's an idiom meaning a couple should act and think as one.

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