Also used interchangeably with aristocracy, depending on the translator. Both imply the same purpose.
NOTE: The terms fall in descending order for convenience.
Noble Family – 귀족가
ALSO: Aristocratic family
(Romanized: gwijok-ga)
Used to refer to a class for families that stand below the royal family, but above commoners, in varying degrees.
Duchy – 공작가
ALSO: Dukedom
(Romanized: gongjak-ga)
Used to refer to the highest rank in nobility, unless a grand duchy exists.
Duke – 공작
(Romanized: gongjak)
Used to refer to someone who rules over a duchy.
Your Grace – 각하
ALSO: Her Grace, His Grace
(Romanized: gak-ha)
Used to refer to the head of the duchy. Although this specific Korean word is not used for the duke/duchess’ consort, they are also called His or Her Grace in English.
Lady – 공녀
ALSO: Young Lady, Your Grace, Her Grace, My Lady
(Romanized: gongnyeo)
Used to refer to the daughter of the duke.
Lord – 공자
ALSO: Young Lord, Your Grace, His Grace, My Lord
(Romanized: gongja)
Used to refer to the son of the duke.
TIP: Machine translators recognize and consequently mistranslate the Korean word for lady and lord as prince or princess, which may lead to some translators to also call them “Your Highness”.
To be clear, offspring of the duke are not called these titles, which are specifically reserved for the royal family only.
Marquisate – 후작가
(Romanized: hujak-ga)
Used to refer to the second highest rank in nobility. In some stories, the reigning monarch (i.e., emperor, king) will bestow this title to nobles of a lower rank for their deeds to the nation and/or to the monarch themselves.
There have been rare instances where commoners have been awarded this title, leading to some resentment by other traditionally, “blue blood” nobles with long histories.
Marquess – 후작
ALSO: Marquis
(Romanized: hujak)
County – 백작가
(Romanized: baekjak-ga)
Count – 백작
(Romanized: baekjak)
Used to refer to someone who rules over a county.
Viscounty – 자작가
(Romanized: jajak-ga)
Used to refer to the second to lowest rank in nobility. In some stories, dukes may award this title to their loyal vassals and/or meritorious retainers for their service.
However, like all noble statuses, this title is typically awarded by the reigning monarch (i.e., emperor, king).
Viscount – 자작
(Romanized: jajak)
Used to refer to someone who rules over a viscounty.
TIP: Machine translators recognize and consequently mistranslate the Korean word for viscount as
- man
- reader
- writer
all of which are similar terms.
Barony – 남작가
(Romanized: namjak-ga)
Used to refer to the lowest rank in nobility. In some stories, dukes may award this title to their loyal vassals and/or meritorious retainers for their service.
However, like all noble statuses, this title is typically awarded by the reigning monarch (i.e., emperor, king).
Baron – 남작
(Romanized: namjak)
tags: glossary, rofan glossary, romance fantasy glossary, ropan glossary, manhwa notes glossary, translation, translations, manhwa notes translations, manhwa notes translation, korean, english, romance fantasy, rofan, ropan, January 28, 2024, manhwa notes, manhwanotes
