호구

Korean

Pronunciation

  • (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA(key): [ˈɸʷo̞(ː)ɡu]
  • Phonetic hangul: [호(ː)구]
    • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.
Romanizations
Revised Romanization?hogu
Revised Romanization (translit.)?hogu
McCune–Reischauer?hogu
Yale Romanization?hōkwu

Etymology 1

    Sino-Korean word from 虎口, from 虎 (“tiger”) + 口 (“mouth”). The "pushover" sense derives from the game of Go sense, implying someone submissive enough to be willing to place their stone in such a position.

    Noun

    호구 • (hogu) (hanja 虎口)

    1. the jaws of death; a very dangerous situation
    2. (go) position surrounded by three enemy stones; if a player places their stone here, they will be immediately taken by the enemy in the next move
    3. (colloquial) overly naive and submissive person; pushover, doormat, sucker

    Etymology 2

      Sino-Korean word from 戶口, from 戶 (“house”) + 口 (“counter for people”)

      Noun

      호구 • (hogu) (hanja 戶口)

      1. (formal) number of households
      2. (in Chinese contexts) hukou
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