무식한 사람

mu-sik-han sa-ram
ignorant person

그는 정말 무식한 사람이야.

He's really an ignorant person.


informal

A person who lacks knowledge or education, often displaying arrogance about their ignorance.

저 사람은 무식한 사람인데도 아는 척을 해요.

That person is ignorant but still pretends to know things.

무식한 사람이라고 무시하지 마세요.

Don't dismiss them just because they're ignorant.

Often used to describe someone who is uneducated or lacks common sense, sometimes with a judgmental tone.

Related Phrases

무식은 죄가 아니다proverb
Ignorance is not a crime
무지한 무식phrase
extreme ignorance

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

In Korean culture, education and knowledge are highly valued. Calling someone '무식한 사람' can be seen as deeply insulting, as it suggests they are not only uneducated but also unwilling to improve.

Gold Rule

Avoid in Formal Settings

This phrase is inappropriate for professional or academic contexts. Use neutral terms like '지식이 부족한 사람' (a person lacking knowledge) instead.

Word Origin

Combines '무식(無識)' (lack of knowledge) + '사람' (person). '무식' derives from '無' (not having) + '識' (knowledge/awareness).

Usage Notes

Can be offensive; use with caution in formal settings. Often implies not just lack of knowledge but also a dismissive attitude toward learning.

Word Breakdown

무식
lack of knowledge
compound
+
adjective suffix (roughly '-ing')
suffix
+
사람
person
noun
한영사전