What does 재벌 (chaebol) mean?
- 재벌chaebol
Family-run conglomerate / tycoon
Fine in most situations
재벌 (chaebol) means a huge family-controlled business group in Korea, and also the very rich families who run them. In K-dramas, the "chaebol heir" (재벌 2세) is a classic character: the rich, often arrogant son or daughter of a business empire.
Where it comes from
재 means "wealth" and 벌 means "clan" or "group", so it is roughly "wealth clan". The word entered English as "chaebol" because of how often it appears in news about the Korean economy.
How to use 재벌
In news and economics, 재벌 refers to big family-run conglomerates and the debates around their power. In daily talk and dramas, it often just means "super rich", as in 재벌 2세 (second-generation chaebol heir) or 재벌 3세 (third generation).
It is a neutral word, but it can carry criticism, especially when linked to stories of 갑질 (abuse of power) or special treatment.
Joking that someone is a 재벌 means they spend like they are rich. Romance plots between a 재벌 and an ordinary person are so common that they are almost a genre.
Examples
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Gossiping about a friend's new boyfriend
Talking about your drama taste
Teasing a friend who loves rich-guy romances
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 재벌 2세 | Chaebol heir | Second generation of a chaebol family. |
| 재벌 3세 | Third-generation heir | Grandchild of a founder. |
| 재벌가 | Chaebol family | 가 means family or household. |
| 대기업 | Large corporation | More neutral word for big companies. |
Questions learners ask
What does chaebol mean in K-dramas?
It usually means a super rich family that owns a giant company. The 재벌 2세 (chaebol heir) is a common drama lead.
Is chaebol an English word?
Yes. English dictionaries borrowed it from Korean 재벌 to describe Korean family-run conglomerates.
How is chaebol pronounced in Korean?
Closer to "jae-beol". 재벌 is the Korean spelling, and "chaebol" is an older romanization.