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A1 noun #2,300 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

후배

hubae
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 후배 en 30 secondes
Explication 후배 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you just need to know that '후배' (hubae) means a junior student or a junior at work. It is the opposite of '선배' (seonbae). You will mostly use it to talk about people in your school who are in a lower grade than you. For example, if you are in 10th grade, a 9th-grade student is your 'hubae'. It is a noun, so you can say '내 후배' (my junior).
At the A2 level, you should understand that '후배' is used within specific groups like schools or companies. You should start using it with basic particles like '후배가' or '후배를'. You also learn that you can add '-님' to make it '후배님' (Hubae-nim) when you want to be extra polite. You might hear this in simple classroom dialogues or basic workplace introductions.
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At the B1 level, you begin to understand the social expectations tied to being a 'seonbae' to a 'hubae'. This includes the idea of 'mentorship'. You should be able to describe your relationship with your juniors using more complex sentences, such as '후배들에게 한국어를 가르쳐 줘요' (I teach Korean to my juniors). You also distinguish 'hubae' from 'dongsaeng' (younger person) more clearly.
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At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of hierarchy. You know that a 'hubae' can be older than you in age but 'junior' in status. You can discuss the pros and cons of the 'seonbae-hubae' culture in Korea, such as the support system it provides versus the pressure of hierarchy. You are comfortable using the word in professional contexts and understand when to use titles instead of the word 'hubae'.
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At the C1 level, you can analyze the 'hubae' concept in literature, news, and film. You understand how the term is used to create specific atmospheres—for example, how a character calling someone 'hubae' in a certain tone can imply condescension or deep affection. You are aware of the 'kkondae' (condescending senior) culture and how it affects the way hubaes interact with their seniors.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the sociolinguistic implications of '후배'. You can participate in deep discussions about how the 'seonbae-hubae' system is evolving in modern, more horizontal corporate cultures in Korea. You understand the historical Confucian roots and can use the term with perfect pragmatic competence in any social or professional situation.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

후배 en 30 secondes

  • 후배 (Hubae) means 'junior' in a school or work context, defined by when someone joined the group.
  • It is the direct opposite of '선배' (seonbae), and the two form a fundamental social bond in Korea.
  • You can have a hubae who is older than you if they joined the institution after you did.
  • The relationship involves a mix of respect from the junior and mentorship/care from the senior.

The term 후배 (hubae) is a cornerstone of Korean social architecture, rooted deeply in the Confucian values of hierarchy and seniority. At its most basic level, it refers to a person who is your junior in a specific social context—most commonly in schools, universities, or professional workplaces. However, the meaning extends far beyond a simple label; it defines a reciprocal relationship of responsibility, mentorship, and social order. Unlike the English word 'junior,' which often feels like a mere descriptor of rank, hubae carries an emotional and social weight that dictates how you speak, how you eat, and how you interact with those around you.

Etymological Root
The word is composed of the Hanja characters 後 (hu) meaning 'after' or 'behind' and 輩 (bae) meaning 'group' or 'generation'. Literally, it translates to 'the group that comes after.'
Social Scope
It is used exclusively within structured organizations. You wouldn't call a random younger person on the street a 'hubae' unless you both share an alma mater or a workplace.
Reciprocity
A hubae exists only in relation to a 선배 (seonbae). You cannot be a hubae without having a seonbae, and vice versa. It is a binary star system of Korean social life.

"새로 들어온 후배가 아주 성실해요."

— (The junior who just joined is very diligent.)

In a school setting, a hubae is anyone in a lower grade than you. Even if the hubae is older than you in chronological age (which happens if someone starts school late or takes a gap year), they are still your hubae because they entered the institution after you. This is a crucial distinction in Korean culture: institutional seniority often trumps biological age. In the workplace, the definition shifts slightly toward entry year or rank. A person who joined the company in 2023 is the hubae of someone who joined in 2022, regardless of their previous experience elsewhere.

"학교 후배들과 점심을 먹으러 가요."

— (I am going to have lunch with my school juniors.)

Understanding 'hubae' is essential for navigating Korean dramas (K-Dramas) and variety shows. You will often see characters stressing over how to treat their juniors—whether to be a 'strict' seonbae or a 'friendly' one. The dynamic is central to plot points involving workplace bullying (gapjil) or, conversely, heartwarming mentorship. It is a word that encapsulates the tension between tradition and modernity in Korea today.

Professional Context
In offices, 'hubae' is used to describe subordinates, but in formal address, people usually use titles (Manager, Assistant Manager) rather than calling someone 'Hubae-nim' directly.
The 'Nim' Suffix
Adding '-님' (nim) to hubae creates '후배님', which is a polite way to address a junior when you want to show respect while still acknowledging the hierarchy.

"후배님, 이 서류 좀 확인해 줄래요?"

— (Junior, could you check this document for me?)

Using 후배 correctly requires an understanding of both grammar and social etiquette. In Korean, you don't just use the word to label someone; you use it to navigate the complex web of honorifics. When you are talking *about* a junior to someone else, 'hubae' is perfectly standard. However, when *addressing* them directly, the rules change based on your level of intimacy and the formality of the environment.

  • In Formal Settings: Use '후배님' (Hubae-nim). This is common in university clubs or professional settings where you want to maintain a polite distance.
  • In Informal Settings: If you are close, you might just use their name followed by '아/야' or simply call them by their name. You would refer to them as 'my hubae' (내 후배) when talking to others.
  • The 'Dongsaeng' Overlap: People often confuse 'hubae' with 'dongsaeng' (younger sibling/friend). Use 'hubae' when the connection is institutional (school/work) and 'dongsaeng' when the connection is personal/familial.
ContextRecommended TermExample
Work (Polite)Name + Position김 대리님
School (Polite)후배님지민 후배님
Casual Talk내 후배내 아끼는 후배야

Grammatically, '후배' functions as a regular noun. It can take any particle: 후배가 (subject), 후배를 (object), 후배의 (possessive). When describing a junior, you might use adjectives like 착한 (kind), 똑똑한 (smart), or 귀여운 (cute). Because the seonbae-hubae relationship is seen as a 'bond', you will often hear the phrase '아끼는 후배' (a junior I cherish/care for).

"그는 제가 가장 아끼는 후배입니다."

— (He is the junior I cherish the most.)

One unique aspect of using this word is the 'Year System' (학번). In Korean universities, you are a hubae to anyone with an earlier 'student number year'. If you are '23학번' (Class of '23), you are a hubae to '22학번'. This remains true even if you meet ten years after graduation. The 'hubae' status is essentially permanent within that specific social circle. This creates a lifelong network of 'seniors' and 'juniors' that can be very helpful for job hunting and social support.

You will encounter the word 후배 in almost every facet of Korean media and daily life. It is a linguistic marker of the social hierarchy that defines Korean interactions. If you are watching a K-Drama set in an office (like 'Misaeng' or 'Start-Up'), the word 'hubae' is used to highlight the power dynamics between characters. It is often used in the third person to describe someone's standing within the company.

In K-Dramas

Used to establish who is in charge. A senior might say, 'My hubae will handle this,' to show authority and mentorship.

In K-Pop

Idol groups often refer to groups that debuted after them as 'hubae groups.' It's a sign of respect for the industry's timeline.

In variety shows like 'Running Man' or 'Knowing Bros', the cast members often tease each other based on who is the 'hubae' in the entertainment industry. A comedian who debuted in 1995 will jokingly demand respect from a 'hubae' who debuted in 2005. This 'debut-year' hierarchy is incredibly strict in the Korean entertainment world, sometimes even more so than in corporate offices.

"이번에 데뷔한 후배 가수들이 노래를 참 잘해요."

— (The junior singers who debuted this time are really good at singing.)

In a real-world Korean university, you'll hear this word constantly during 'MT' (Membership Training) trips or at the beginning of the semester. Seniors will shout, 'Where are our hubaes?' to gather them for drinks or activities. It is also used in alumni associations (동창회) where older graduates look for younger graduates to offer advice or business opportunities. If you ever work in Korea, your boss might introduce you to a client by saying, 'This is my university hubae,' which immediately signals a level of trust and shared background to the client.

The most common mistake learners make is confusing 후배 (hubae) with 동생 (dongsaeng). While both refer to someone 'younger' or 'lower' in some way, they are not interchangeable. 'Dongsaeng' is based on biological age and personal closeness. 'Hubae' is based on institutional entry time. You can have a hubae who is older than you, but you can never have a dongsaeng who is older than you.

  • X

    Using 'Hubae' as a direct address to a stranger.

    You cannot walk up to a younger person you don't know and call them 'Hubae.' It requires a shared institution.

  • X

    Calling your younger brother 'Hubae'.

    Even if you go to the same school, at home, he is your 'nam-dongsaeng' (younger brother), not your hubae.

  • X

    Using 'Hubae' with your boss.

    Even if your boss is younger than you, they are your 'sangsa' (superior). You are their hubae, but they are NOT yours.

Another mistake is the 'Honorific Trap'. Learners often forget that even though a hubae is 'below' you in hierarchy, you should still use jondaemal (polite speech) with them in a professional setting or when you first meet. Using banmal (casual speech) just because someone is your hubae can come across as arrogant or rude (kkondae-like) if you haven't established a close relationship yet.

To truly master the concept of 후배, you must understand the words that surround it in the Korean semantic field. These words often overlap but carry different nuances of rank, age, and relationship.

동생 (Dongsaeng)
Focuses on age. Used for younger siblings or very close younger friends. It is more intimate and less professional than 'hubae'.
부하 (Buha)
Focuses on rank. Means 'subordinate'. This is a very cold, military, or strictly corporate term. You rarely use this in conversation; it's mostly for formal descriptions of organizational charts.
신입 (Sin-ip)
Focuses on newness. Means 'newcomer' or 'rookie'. All 'sin-ip' are hubaes, but not all hubaes are 'sin-ip' (a hubae could have been at the company for 5 years).
제자 (Jeja)
Focuses on learning. Means 'disciple' or 'student'. While a hubae might learn from a seonbae, a 'jeja' has a formal teacher-student relationship with a 'seonsaengnim'.

In summary, choose 후배 when you want to emphasize the shared institutional bond and the 'junior' status within that specific community. It is the most balanced word—more professional than 'dongsaeng' but warmer and more relational than '부하'.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Honorifics (-시-)

Polite endings (-아/어요, -습니다)

Particles (-에게, -한테)

Noun modifiers (-는, -은)

Causative verbs (to make someone do something)

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Exemples par niveau

1

그는 제 학교 후배예요.

He is my school junior.

Noun + 예요 (to be)

2

후배가 인사를 해요.

The junior greets me.

Subject particle -가

3

착한 후배입니다.

They are a kind junior.

Adjective + Noun

4

후배를 만나요.

I meet my junior.

Object particle -를

5

제 후배는 학생이에요.

My junior is a student.

Topic particle -는

6

후배와 같이 공부해요.

I study with my junior.

Particle -와 같이 (together with)

7

누가 후배예요?

Who is the junior?

Interrogative '누가'

8

후배가 두 명 있어요.

I have two juniors.

Counting people '명'

1

회사 후배와 점심을 먹었어요.

I had lunch with a workplace junior.

Past tense -었/았어요

2

후배에게 선물을 줬어요.

I gave a gift to my junior.

Dative particle -에게

3

새로운 후배가 들어왔어요.

A new junior joined (the team/school).

Compound verb '들어오다'

4

후배님, 이쪽으로 오세요.

Junior, please come this way.

Polite suffix -님 and imperative -세요

5

후배들이 아주 열심히 해요.

The juniors are working very hard.

Plural marker -들

6

제 후배는 영어를 잘해요.

My junior is good at English.

Adverbial '잘' + verb

7

후배의 이름을 잊어버렸어요.

I forgot my junior's name.

Possessive particle -의

8

후배하고 커피를 마실까요?

Shall I drink coffee with my junior?

Suggestive ending -을까요?

1

후배를 도와주는 것은 즐거운 일이에요.

Helping a junior is a pleasant thing.

Gerund form -는 것

2

아끼는 후배가 결혼을 한다고 해요.

I heard that the junior I cherish is getting married.

Indirect quotation -는다고 하다

3

후배들 앞에서 발표를 하려니 떨려요.

I feel nervous about giving a presentation in front of my juniors.

Reasoning/Condition -려니

4

군대 후배를 우연히 길에서 만났어요.

I ran into my military junior on the street by chance.

Adverb '우연히'

5

후배에게 업무를 가르쳐 주고 있어요.

I am teaching the work tasks to my junior.

Progressive -고 있다

6

실력 있는 후배들이 많이 들어왔으면 좋겠어요.

I hope many talented juniors join us.

Hope/Desire -었으면 좋겠다

7

후배 덕분에 프로젝트를 잘 끝냈어요.

Thanks to my junior, I finished the project well.

Noun + 덕분에 (thanks to)

8

후배라고 해서 무시하면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't look down on someone just because they are a junior.

-라고 해서 (just because...)

1

후배들의 고충을 들어주는 것도 선배의 역할입니다.

Listening to the difficulties of juniors is also a senior's role.

Nominalizer -기/것

2

나이 많은 후배를 대하기가 조금 어색해요.

It's a bit awkward to treat a junior who is older than me.

-기가 어색하다 (to be awkward to...)

3

그 후배는 배울 점이 참 많은 친구예요.

That junior is a friend who has a lot of things to learn from.

Future attributive -을 점

4

후배가 들어오니까 책임감이 더 생기네요.

Now that a junior has joined, I feel more responsibility.

Discovery/Realization -네요

5

후배를 위해 조언을 아끼지 않았어요.

I didn't hold back on giving advice for my junior.

Double negative for emphasis '아끼지 않다'

6

후배들 사이에서 인기가 아주 많으시네요.

You are very popular among the juniors.

Honorific -시-

7

후배의 실수로 인해 문제가 발생했습니다.

A problem occurred due to the junior's mistake.

-로 인해 (due to)

8

후배들에게 모범이 되는 선배가 되고 싶어요.

I want to be a senior who serves as a role model for juniors.

Becoming -이/가 되다

1

후배 양성에 힘쓰는 것은 국가 경쟁력에 직결됩니다.

Striving to nurture juniors is directly linked to national competitiveness.

Formal noun '양성' (nurturing)

2

그는 후배들의 앞길을 막는 졸렬한 선배였다.

He was a petty senior who blocked the path of his juniors.

Literary adjective '졸렬한'

3

후배와의 소통 부재가 조직의 결속력을 해치고 있다.

The lack of communication with juniors is harming the organization's cohesion.

Abstract nouns '소통 부재', '결속력'

4

후배가 치고 올라오는 속도가 무서울 정도예요.

The speed at which the juniors are rising up is almost scary.

Idiomatic '치고 올라오다'

5

후배들에게 귀감이 될 만한 행동을 해야 합니다.

You must act in a way that can serve as a paragon for juniors.

-을 만한 (worthy of)

6

후배의 창의적인 아이디어가 프로젝트의 돌파구가 되었습니다.

The junior's creative idea became the breakthrough for the project.

Noun '돌파구' (breakthrough)

7

선배와 후배 간의 위계질서가 지나치게 엄격합니다.

The hierarchy between seniors and juniors is excessively strict.

Noun '위계질서' (hierarchy)

8

후배의 성장을 지켜보는 것만큼 보람찬 일도 없죠.

There's nothing as rewarding as watching a junior grow.

-만큼 ... 도 없다 (nothing as... as)

1

후배들의 역량을 극대화하기 위한 제도적 장치가 시급합니다.

Institutional mechanisms to maximize the capabilities of juniors are urgently needed.

Academic tone

2

전통적인 선후배 관계가 해체되면서 새로운 조직 문화가 대두되고 있다.

As traditional senior-junior relationships dissolve, a new organizational culture is emerging.

Passive '대두되고 있다'

3

후배에 대한 내리사랑은 한국 사회를 지탱해 온 보이지 않는 힘이다.

Downward love for juniors is an invisible force that has sustained Korean society.

Complex noun phrase as subject

4

후배들의 발칙한 도발이 오히려 침체된 업계에 활력을 불어넣었다.

The juniors' audacious provocations actually breathed life into the stagnant industry.

Nuanced adjective '발칙한'

5

그는 후배들에게 자신의 노하우를 아낌없이 전수했다.

He passed down his know-how to his juniors without stint.

Adverb '아낌없이'

6

후배라는 명목하에 가해지는 부당한 지시는 근절되어야 한다.

Unjust instructions given under the pretext of being a 'junior' must be eradicated.

Expression '명목하에' (under the pretext of)

7

후배들의 권익을 보호하기 위한 노조의 움직임이 활발해졌다.

The union's movement to protect the rights and interests of juniors has become active.

Noun '권익' (rights and interests)

8

후배의 성공을 시기하기보다 진심으로 축하해 주는 도량이 필요하다.

One needs the magnanimity to sincerely congratulate a junior's success rather than envy it.

Noun '도량' (magnanimity/generosity)

Collocations courantes

후배를 아끼다 (to cherish a junior)
후배를 가르치다 (to teach a junior)
후배가 들어오다 (a junior joins)
학교 후배 (school junior)
직장 후배 (work junior)
군대 후배 (military junior)
후배를 챙기다 (to take care of a junior)
후배에게 조언하다 (to advise a junior)
후배를 혼내다 (to scold a junior)
후배와 친하다 (to be close with a junior)

Phrases Courantes

아끼는 후배 (a cherished junior)
귀여운 후배 (a cute/likable junior)
무서운 후배 (a scary/intimidating junior)
후배님들 (juniors - polite plural)
후배 사랑 (love for one's juniors)
후배 기 죽이다 (to discourage a junior)
후배를 키우다 (to nurture a junior)
후배 덕을 보다 (to benefit from a junior)
후배가 들어오면 (when a junior joins)
후배 대접 (treating a junior)

Souvent confondu avec

후배 vs 동생 (biological age focus)

후배 vs 부하 (strictly subordinate/cold)

후배 vs 제자 (student/disciple)

Expressions idiomatiques

"후배가 무섭다 (The juniors are scary - meaning they are very talented and rising fast)"
"후배 앞길을 열어주다 (To pave the way for a junior)"
"후배를 업어 키우다 (To raise a junior on one's back - to mentor very closely)"
"선배 노릇, 후배 노릇 (Acting like a senior/junior - fulfilling one's role)"
"후배에게 물려주다 (To hand something down to a junior)"
"후배의 기를 살려주다 (To boost a junior's morale)"
"후배를 제 몸처럼 아끼다 (To cherish a junior like one's own body)"
"후배가 선배를 앞지르다 (The junior overtakes the senior)"
"후배 밥 사주다 (Buying a junior a meal - a classic senior duty)"
"후배를 내치다 (To cast aside a junior)"

Facile à confondre

후배 vs

후배 vs

후배 vs

후배 vs

후배 vs

Structures de phrases

Famille de mots

Apparenté

선배 (Senior)
동배 (Peer)
동기 (Same year)
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Comment l'utiliser

Age vs. Rank

Always remember that rank/entry year usually wins over age in this context.

Direct Address

It is more common to call someone by their name + title than just 'Hubae'.

Erreurs courantes
  • Calling a younger stranger 'hubae'.
  • Using 'hubae' for a younger sibling at home.
  • Thinking 'hubae' always means 'younger person'.
  • Using banmal (casual speech) too early with a hubae.
  • Confusing 'hubae' with 'buha' (subordinate).

Astuces

Be a Mentor

A good seonbae helps their hubae adjust to the new environment. This builds a strong network.

Use Honorifics

Always use jondaemal with a hubae you just met, regardless of their age.

The Meal Rule

If you are the seonbae, be prepared to treat your hubae to coffee or lunch occasionally.

Particle Check

Use '에게' or '한테' when giving something to a hubae.

Networking

Hubaes often become valuable professional contacts later in life. Treat them well.

Watch the Bow

Observe how hubaes bow deeper to seonbaes in Korean media.

Answering

A hubae should answer a seonbae's call or message promptly.

Avoid 'Kkondae'

Don't use your senior status to boss people around; that's being a 'kkondae'.

Pairing

Always learn '선배' and '후배' together as a pair.

Formal Context

In reports, use '후배 사원' (junior employee) for clarity.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Contexte culturel

A junior is expected to arrive at the office earlier and handle minor tasks like setting the table for lunch.

A junior almost always uses honorifics (jondaemal) to a senior, while a senior may use casual speech (banmal) if they are close.

The senior (seonbae) usually pays for the meal when eating with a junior (hubae).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"학교 후배예요? (Are you a school junior?)"

"아끼는 후배가 누구예요? (Who is a junior you cherish?)"

"후배들에게 인기가 많으시네요. (You're popular with the juniors.)"

"새로운 후배 어때요? (How is the new junior?)"

"후배랑 같이 점심 먹을까요? (Shall we have lunch with the junior?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you helped a hubae.

Describe your favorite seonbae and why you want to be like them for your hubaes.

How do you feel about the Korean hierarchy system?

If you had a new hubae today, what advice would you give them?

Compare the word 'hubae' with 'junior' in your own language.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, if the older person entered the school or company later, they are the hubae.

No, but calling someone 'hubae' directly can sometimes feel a bit authoritative.

In traditional Korean culture, yes, the senior usually pays.

Hubae is institutional; dongsaeng is based on age and personal closeness.

Only if you are referring to her as a junior at your school/work.

Use 'Name + Hubae-nim' or 'Name + ssi'.

Yes, though it is becoming more relaxed in modern tech companies.

It is the polite way to say 'junior'.

Yes, if they joined the organization before you.

Yes, '후배들' (hubaedeul).

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