What does 무단(無斷) mean in Korean?

무단(無斷) is a hanja word and it means 'unauthorized' or 'without permission' in Korean.

For example the literal meaning of 무단 횡단 is 'unauthorized(무단) crossing(횡단)' --> jaywalking.

Normally 무단 is not used alone but in combination with other words.

Some examples of Korean words using 무단(無斷) are;

• 무단 횡단: jaywalking
• 무단투기: unauthorized dumping (of trash)
• 무단결석: absence from school without notice
• 무간결근: absence from work without notice
• 무단 침입/출입: trenspassing

Korean street signage saying 'intensive crackdown/checking/watching on unauthorized dumping'

Homonym: 무단 with different hanja

There is a different version of 무단 using different hanja.

무단(武斷, not 無斷) has meaing of being forcible.

So, 무단 정치 means 'stratocracy.'

 

Street signage in Korea about unauthorized trash dumping