Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
갑질 gap-jil
Systematic abuse of power and psychological bullying by superiors, managers, or corporate owners over subordinates and contractors.
What does 갑질 mean?
갑질 (gap-jil) means: Systematic abuse of power and psychological bullying by superiors, managers, or corporate owners over subordinates and contractors.
Speakers use this term to describe situations where someone in a position of authority uses their status to act rudely, make unreasonable demands, or force subordinates to carry out tasks unfairly. It frequently turns up in discussions about workplace conditions, pairing naturally with nouns like 논란 to describe controversies and verbs like 당하다 or 시달리다 to describe the experience of being subjected to it. In dialogue, it appears in everyday conversations about institutional preventive education and news reports regarding workplace misconduct.
When used in reference to a boss or supervisor, it can frame ordinary workplace friction not merely as poor management, but as an institutional abuse of power that carries social stigma.
When used in reference to a boss or supervisor, it can frame ordinary workplace friction not merely as poor management, but as an institutional abuse of power that carries social stigma.
🎙️ 갑질은 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [갑찔]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 삼촌이 직장 상사의 갑질 때문에 힘들어 하신다.
sam-ch-on-i jik-jang sang-sa-ui gap-jil ttae-mun-e him-deul-eo ha-sin-da.
My uncle is having a hard time because of his boss's abuse of power.
💡 Describes a relative experiencing distress due to a superior's behavior. - 상사의 갑질에 시달리다.
sang-sa-ui gap-jil-e si-dal-li-da.
To suffer from a supervisor's abuse of power.
💡 Common collocation describing ongoing torment by a boss. - 내일 회사에서 직장 내 갑질을 근절하기 위한 예방 교육을 한대.
nae-il hoe-sa-e-seo jik-jang nae gap-jil-eul geun-jeol-ha-gi wi-han ye-bang gyu-yuk-eul han-dae.
I heard the company is holding prevention training tomorrow to eradicate workplace gapjil.
💡 Shows speakers discussing institutional measures against internal abuse.
Related words in Culture & Language
금강산도 식후경 Geumgangsando sikhugyeong구수한 gu-su-han국밥 guk-bap국수를 먹다 Guksureul meokda군필 gun-pil