What does 후배 (hoobae) mean?

후배 (hoobae) means "junior," someone who started at your school, club, or workplace after you did. It is the opposite of 선배 (sunbae), the senior.

Where it comes from

후배 comes from Chinese characters: 後 (after, later) and 輩 (group or generation). So it means someone from a later group.

Like 선배, it is about who joined first, not about age. You use 후배 mostly to describe someone, as in "she's my 후배 from college."

Unlike 선배, 후배 is not normally used as a title to call someone. To get a junior's attention you just use their name, often with 씨 at work.

In Korean culture seniors often look after their juniors, for example by paying for meals, and juniors show respect in return.

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Introducing a younger colleague

This is my junior.

Telling a friend about lunch

My junior bought me a meal.

Praising the new team members

My juniors are really nice.

Korean	Meaning	When
후배들	juniors	Plural.
학교 후배	junior at school	Someone behind you at school.
직장 후배	junior at work	Someone who joined the company after you.
후배님	junior (polite)	Occasionally used, often in a polite or playful way.

Can I call someone hoobae to their face?

Not usually. 후배 is used to describe someone. When you talk to a junior, use their name instead.

Is a hoobae always younger?

No. It depends on who joined first. A hoobae is often younger, but not always.