형사 — meaning in English: Detective

hyeongsa · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for detective

형사

hyeongsa

부족

bujog

상대

sangdae

양식

yangsig

조성

joseong

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Korean for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word '형사' (hyeongsa) when discussing law enforcement, particularly in crime dramas or news articles about criminal investigations. For example, someone might say, '형사가 범인을 잡았다' (The detective caught the criminal) during a conversation about recent crime stories.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym to '형사' is '탐정' (tamjeong), which specifically refers to a private detective. While '형사' is used in the context of law enforcement officers who solve crimes, '탐정' carries a more informal connotation and is often associated with mystery novels and films.

Culture

'형사' (hyeongsa) has its roots in the Sino-Korean word '형사' (刑事), which means 'criminal'. This term reflects the historical influence of Chinese characters in the Korean language, especially in legal and formal contexts. In popular culture, detectives are often depicted as savvy and intelligent characters in Korean dramas, contributing to the term's significance in everyday discussions about justice and crime.

FAQ

Q.What does 형사 mean in English?

'형사' (hyeongsa) translates to 'detective' in English and refers to a police officer who investigates crimes.

Q.How is 형사 used in Korean sentences?

'형사' can be used in sentences to describe actions related to investigations, such as '형사가 사건을 조사하고 있다' (The detective is investigating the case).

Q.Are there any common mistakes with the word 형사?

A common mistake is confusing '형사' with '탐정' (tamjeong). Remember that '형사' refers to law enforcement detectives, while '탐정' refers to private detectives.

Learn korean with Maspeak →

Korean 2000