“How can I say sorry in Korean?” you may be asking.

“Sorry” is one of the first words that language learners come across when starting out. It’s a practical word because you can use it in many situations. There are many different ways to say sorry in English, such as “I am sorry,” “I apologize,” and so on, and the same is true for Korean. Some Korean apologies are formal and some are slang words, and sometimes words are only used in a specific situation.

“Sorry” in learning Korean is just as essential as it is in any other language. In this blog, we’re going to introduce eleven ways to say “I am sorry” in Korean, and when to use an expression appropriately. There are many words for sorry in Korean vocabulary, as well as many common gestures that make up a big part of how to apologize in Korean culture. Start with a bonus, and download your FREE cheat sheet – How to Improve Your Korean Skills! (Logged-In Member Only)

1. 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.) – Formal
2. 잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.) – Formal
3. 미안해요. (mianhaeyo.) – Formal
4. 죄송해요. (joesonghaeyo.) – Formal.
5. 미안해 (mianhae) – Informal
6. 미안 (mian) – Informal
7. 잠시만요. (jamsimanyo.) – Informal/Formal
8. 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.) – Formal
9. 진심으로 사과드립니다. (jinsimeuro sagwadeurimnida.) – Formal
10. 용서해주세요. (yongseohaejuseyo.) – Formal
11. 저기요 (jeogiyo) – Informal
12. How KoreanClass101.com Can Help You

1. 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.) – Formal

죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.) is the most commonly used phrase to say sorry, and if you’ve just started learning how to say sorry in Korean, memorize this phrase at all costs. Why? Because you’ll hear this wherever you go, and you’ll be using it a lot while traveling in South Korea.

죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.) is a more respectful way to apologize than 미안합니다. (mianhamnida.) and 죄송해요. (joesonghaeyo.), which we’ll explain to you in more detail later.

In addition, using the appropriate body gesture is very important when you say this phrase; you need to slightly bow your head when saying sorry. Also, unlike in some of the countries where eye-contact is very important, making direct eye-contact is considered rude in Korea. Therefore, when you want to apologize to someone, try not to make eye-contact; instead, look slightly downward, toward the floor.

Situation 1:

Someone comes along and pushes you while you’re holding a cup of coffee, which results in spilling the coffee on someone else.

• You: 어머, 괜찮으세요? 너무 *죄송합니다. [bow]
  You: eomeo, gwaenchaneuseyo? neomu joesonghamnida.
  You: “Oh no, are you okay? I am so sorry.”

*죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.) is a good way to apologize to someone. However, when you want to more sincerely apologize to someone, add 너무 (neomu), meaning “very,” before 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.).

• Customer: 아, 괜찮습니다.
  Customer: a, gwaenchanseumnida.
  Customer: “Ah, it’s okay.”

In this situation, you spilled the coffee by accident and are sincerely apologizing someone. In this case, you need to bow as you apologize.

Situation 2:

You accidently stepped on someone’s foot when entering the bus.

• You: 죄송합니다. [no need to bow in this situation]
  You: joesonghamnida.
  You: “I am sorry.”
• Other person: 아니요, 괜찮습니다.
  Other person: aniyo, gwaenchanseumnida.
  Other person: “It’s okay, never mind.”

In this situation, you don’t have enough time to bow and apologize to someone. So this simple version of how to say “I’m sorry” in Korean to the person whose foot you stepped on is good enough.

2. 잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.) – Formal

잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.) is translated as “It is my fault,” in Korean, and it’s a formal way to say sorry. It’s used when you know that something you did was completely wrong, and want to ask for their forgiveness. You can add 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.) to sound more apologetic.

The classical example of how to use this phrase is when a child asks for his mother’s forgiveness. When a child apologizes, he/she usually rubs their hands together as they apologize. The informal way to say 잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.) is 잘못했어 (jalmothaesseo).

Situation 1:

You wronged your friend before, and need to apologize to them.

• You: 네 말이 맞았어, 다 내 잘못이야. 잘못했어.*
  You: ne mari majasseo, da nae jalmosiya. jalmothaesseo.
  You: “You were right, it’s all my fault. Please forgive me.”
• Your friend: 휴… 됐다.
  Your friend: hyu… dwaetda.
  Your friend: “Sigh..whatever.”

* Be careful with spacing the phrase. Many Korean learners make mistakes here. For example, 잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.), meaning “It is my fault, I am sorry,” and 잘 못했습니다. (jal mothaetseumnida) meaning “I did not do well,” have two completely different meanings.

3. 미안해요. (mianhaeyo.) – Formal

Each apology expression has a different level of politeness, and 미안해요. (mianhaeyo.) is the least formal way to say “I am sorry.” It’s not often used, but you will hear this expression a lot in Korean dramas. Just note that 미안해요. (mianhaeyo.) is another option for apologizing.

It sounds a lot more natural to say 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.) or 죄송해요. (joesonghaeyo.) instead of 미안해요. (mianhaeyo.) in practice. Also, 미안합니다 (mianhamnida) sounds more polite, but in most situations, you should just stick to 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.).

Situation 1:

You’ve received many missed calls from someone who’s a couple of years younger than you, and you want to apologize for not answering their calls.

• You: 전화했었어요?. 못 받아서 미안해요.
  You: jeonhwahaesseosseoyo?. mot badaseo mianhaeyo.
  You: “Did you call? I am sorry for missing your calls.”
• Other person: 괜찮습니다. 전화 주셔서 감사합니다.
  Other person: gwaenchanseumnida. jeonhwa jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.
  Other person: “It’s okay. Thank you for returning the call.”

Situation 2:

A colleague was calling, but you couldn’t pick up the phone because you were driving. You’re returning the call and want to apologize.

• You: 미안해요, 운전하고 있었어요.
  You: mianhaeyo, unjeonhagoisseosseoyo.
  You: “I am sorry, I was driving.”
• Your colleague: 아 그러셨군요. 괜찮습니다.
  Your colleague: a geureosyeotgunyo. gwaenchanseumnida.
  Your colleague: “I see. It’s okay.”

4. 죄송해요. (joesonghaeyo.) – Formal.

죄송해요. (joesonghaeyo.) has the same meaning as 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.), but sounds less formal. You can’t say this phrase to your professor or someone who’s much older than you. If you want to be on the safe side, stick to 죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida.).

Situation 1:

You’ve already asked a few questions to your colleague about something, but you still want to ask more questions.

• You: 바쁘신데 계속 방해해서 죄송해요.
  You: bappeusinde gyesok banghaehaeseo joesonghaeyo.
  You: “I am sorry to keep bothering you.”
• Your colleague: 아닙니다. 괜찮습니다.
  Your colleague: animnida. gwaenchanseumnida.
  Your colleague: “No, it’s okay.”

Situation 2:

You interrupted someone and the person seems annoyed by it.

• You: 죄송해요 방해할 생각은 아니였어요.
  You: joesonghaeyo banghae hal saenggageun aniyeosseoyo.
  You: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
• The other person: 괜찮습니다.
  The other person: gwaenchanseumnida.
  The other person: “It’s okay.”

5. 미안해 (mianhae) – Informal

미안해 (mianhae) is an informal way to say 잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.). 미안해 (mianhae) and 미안 (mian) are used interchangeably, but keep in mind that 미안해 (mianhae) sounds more polite and gives the impression that the speaker cares about the listener’s feelings. On the other hand, 미안 (mian) sounds more like how a child would apologize.

Situation 1:

You want to apologize to your friend.

• You: * 정말 미안해, 용서해주라. 응?
  You: jeongmal mianhae, yongseohaejura. eung?
  You: “I’m really sorry, can you forgive me. Ey?”
• Your friend: 알았어. 이번 한번만 용서해줄께.
  Your friend: arasseo. ibeon hanbeonman yongseohaejulkke.
  Your friend: “Alright. I will forgive you this time.”

* 정말 (jeongmal) means “really.” Add this word if you want to sincerely apologize to your friend.

Situation 2:

You’re supposed to meet your friend at three o’clock, but you arrived half an hour late.

• You: 많이 늦었지? 정말 미안해!
  You: mani neujeotji? jeongmal mianhae!
  You: “I’m so sorry for arriving late!”
• Your friend: 괜찮아. 나도 방금 도착했어.
  Your friend: gwaenchana. nado banggeum dochakaesseo.
  Your friend: “It’s fine. I’ve just arrived too.”

6. 미안 (mian) – Informal

미안 (mian) is a casual way to apologize to your friends, and the direct translation is “sorry.” In addition, 미안 (mian) can also mean “no” in some situations. For example, when you’re invited to a party organized by your friend and want to politely decline, you can simply say 미안 (mian).

Situation 1:

You’re thirty minutes late and want to apologize to your friend, and need to know how to say “Sorry I’m late,” in Korean.

• You: 늦어서 미안! (=먄!*)
  You: neujeoseo mian!
  You: “Sorry I’m late!”
• Your friend: 괜찮아.
  Your friend: gwaenchana.
  Your friend: “It’s okay.”

* 먄 (myan) is a shorter word to say sorry, and it’s a Korean slang. This Korean slang is used frequently in written context among young people. A more polite Korean slang to say sorry is 죄송 (joeson), which is another casual way for people of the same age to apologize to each other.

Situation 2:

You’re invited to a party that you don’t want to go to.

• Your friend: 이번주 토요일에 이태원에서 하는 파티 갈래?
  Your friend: ibeonju toyoire itaewoneseo haneun pati gallae?
  Your friend: “Do you want to go to a party in Itaewon this Saturday?”
• You: 음… 미안. 별로 가고 싶지 않네.
  You: eum… mian. byeollo gago sipji anne.
  You: “Hmm… sorry. I don’t feel like going.”
• Your friend: 알았어.
  Your friend: arasseo.
  Your friend: “Alright.”

7. 잠시만요. (jamsimanyo.) – Informal/Formal

The direct translation of 잠시만요. (jamsimanyo.) is “please hold on.” It also translates as “Excuse me,” in Korean depending on the situation, and is roughly how to say “Excuse me, sorry” in Korean. 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.), which we’ll discuss below, and 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo.) are interchangeable; by just remembering one of these two phrases, you’ll be able to survive in Korea.

To distinguish between these two phrases, 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.) sounds slightly more formal, and it’s often used by professionals. Therefore, when you say this phrase, people around you will instantly think that you’re a professional white-collar worker.

잠시만요 (jamsimanyo.), on the other hand, is often used by people of different age groups, and it sounds casual and friendly. Also, 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo.) is used a lot more than 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.).

Situation 1:

You want to pass through the crowd at the bus stop.

• You: 잠시만요.*
  You: jamsimanyo.
  You: “Excuse me.”

* When someone says 잠시만요. (jamsimanyo.), usually you don’t need to respond with anything. If you do want to respond, you can say 네 (ne) or 알겠습니다. (algetseumnida.). An alternative response is to slightly nod to the person without saying a word.

Situation 2:

Your colleague came to ask where some important documents are.

• You: 아, 그 서류요. 어디에 있는지 알아요. 잠시만요.
  You: a, geu seoryuyo. eodie inneunji arayo. jamsimanyo.
  You: “Oh, I know where the documents are. Please hold on.”

8. 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.) – Formal

The direct translation of 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.) is “Excuse me” in Korean. It can also be translated as “I am sorry for interrupting.” You can use this phrase in many situations, such as when you want to interrupt someone.

You can also say 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.) when you want to go through a narrow area, such as a corridor between two bookshelves at a bookstore, and want to ask someone to move a bit for you.

Situation 1:

You’re riding on a rush hour train in Korea. Your stop has been reached and you need to pass through the crowd to get off the train.

• You: 실례합니다. (지나가겠습니다.)*
  You: sillyehamnida. (jinagagetseumnida.)
  You: “Excuse me. (I would like to go through.)”

* It’s not necessary to say 지나가겠습니다. (jinagagetseumnida.); usually 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.) is adequate enough to discern your message. If you want to be more expressive, just add 지나가겠습니다. (jinagagetseumnida.), and you’re guaranteed to have enough space to go through the crowd.

Situation 2:

You received an urgent phone call from a client and you must pass the message to the manager, who’s chatting with someone.

• You: 실례합니다. 급한 전화가 와서 그러는데요…
  You: sillyehamnida. geupan jeonhwaga waseo geureoneundeyo…
  You: “I am sorry for interrupting. There is an urgent phone call….”

9. 진심으로 사과드립니다. (jinsimeuro sagwadeurimnida.) – Formal

The direct translation of 진심으로 사과드립니다. (jinsimeuro sagwadeurimnida.) is “I would like to sincerely apologize,” which is a business Korean phrase. Therefore, if you’re planning to work in South Korea, this phrase will come in handy. You’ll see this expression a lot in written context, such as in an email, and a person who says this phrase will bow, usually ninety degrees, to show great respect to the person they’re speaking to.

Situation 1:

You work in a customer service department and received a complaint email.

• You: 폐를 끼친 데 대해 진심으로 사과드립니다.
  You: pyereul kkichin de daehae jinsimeuro sagwadeurimnida.
  You: “Please accept our apology for any inconvenience caused.”
• The customer: 죄송하지만 바로 환불 부탁드립니다.
  The customer: joesonghajiman baro hwanbul butakdeurimnida.
  The customer: “I apologize, I would like to return the product.”

Situation 2:

There was a technical issue with the company website, and you want to apologize to its users.

• You: 불편을 끼쳐드려 대단히 죄송합니다.
  You: bulpyeoneul kkichyeodeuryeo daedanhi joesonghamnida.
  You: “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused.”
• The customer: 괜찮습니다. 해당 부분에 대해 보고해 주셔서 감사합니다.
  The customer: gwaenchanseumnida. haedang bubune daehae bogohae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.
  The customer: “It is okay. Thank you for reporting the issue to us.”

10. 용서해주세요. (yongseohaejuseyo.) – Formal

용서해주세요. (yongseohaejuseyo.) has the same meaning as 잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.). To understand the differences between these expressions, 잘못했습니다. (jalmothaetseumnida.) is used to apologize, while indirectly requesting someone’s forgiveness (and acknowledge that you made a mistake). 용서해주세요. (yongseohaejuseyo.), on the other hand, is directly asking for forgiveness.

잘못 (jalmot) means “mistake,” and 했습니다 means “I did ~,” so together it means: “I did make a mistake (morally).” 용서 (yongseo) means “forgiveness,” and 해주세요 means “Please do ~,” so together, it means “Please forgive me.”

To some extent, this is similar to the English “I’m really sorry,” in Korean, but is more sincere.

Situation 1:

You broke a promise you made with your parents and you want to ask for forgiveness.

• You: 제가 잘못했어요. 한번만 용서해주세요.*
  You: jega jalmothaesseoyo. hanbeonman yongseohaejuseyo.
  You: “I made a mistake. Please forgive me.”
• Parents: 알겠다. 이번 한번만 용서해주마.
  Parents: algetda. ibeon hanbeonman yongseohaejuma.
  Parents: “Understood. We will forgive you this time.”

* You can combine the two apology phrases, as follows: 잘못했습니다. 용서해주세요. (jalmothaetseumnida. yongseohaejuseyo.), in order to admit your mistake and ask directly for forgiveness.

Situation 2:

You got caught by the police for speeding.

• You: 잘못했습니다. 용서해주세요.
  You: jalmothaetseumnida. yongseohaejuseyo.
  You: “I made a mistake. Please forgive me.”
• Police officer: 면허증 주십시오.
  Police officer: myeonheojeung jusipsio.
  Police officer: “Please present your driver’s license.”

11. 저기요 (jeogiyo) – Informal

We’ve introduced a number of ways to say “excuse me” in Korean, and you’ve learned that 실례합니다. (sillyehamnida.), 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) have the same meaning. Although the translation of 저기요 (jeogiyo) is “excuse me,” you need to be careful to use this phrase in the proper context. 저기요 (jeogiyo) has two meanings:

Firstly, this phrase is used to draw attention from someone, usually in order to directly make a complaint to the person. Therefore, it’s not used to excuse yourself to do something (e.g. passing through the crowd). In general, it also gives a negative feeling to the listener, so unless you want to complain to someone, just stick to the formal phrases.

Secondly, this phrase is used to call someone, especially at a restaurant. Note that you can’t say this phrase at a luxurious restaurant, as 저기요 (jeogiyo) is a very informal way to draw attention to yourself.

When you want to call someone, especially a staff member at a restaurant, the best way to call them is to make eye contact with them and raise your hand. You don’t necessarily need to say 저기요 (jeogiyo) if the staff acknowledges you, but adding 저기요 (jeogiyo) will definitely draw attention from all the staff at a restaurant.

Situation 1:

Someone stepped on your foot without saying sorry.

• You: 저기요, 발을 밟았으면 사과해야 하는 거 아닌가요?
  You: jeogiyo, bareul balbasseumyeon sagwahaeya haneun geo aningayo?
  You: “Excuse me, if you stepped on my foot, aren’t you supposed to apologize to me?”
• Stranger: 아, 몰랐습니다. 죄송합니다.
  Stranger: a, mollatseumnida. joesonghamnida.
  Stranger: “Oh, I did not know. I am sorry.”

Situation 2:

You’re at a Korean restaurant and are about to order Ddeukbokki. You make eye contact with a waiter and say:

• You: 저기요~
  You: jeogiyo~
  You: “Excuse me!”
• A waiter: 네~ 잠시만요.
  A waiter: ne~ jamsimanyo.
  A waiter: “Yes! One sec.”

How KoreanClass101.com Can Help You

In summary, we introduced eleven ways to say “I am sorry” in Korean and provided appropriate scenarios to use each expression. Learning how to say sorry in Korean phrases doesn’t have to be hard. On KoreanClass101, we have a vocabulary list of common ways to say sorry in Korean, which introduces sixteen different ways to apologize, apart from what we introduced in this blog, so feel free to check this page out too.

We also have many other free vocabulary lists, such as “Phrases to Use When You Are Angry” and “Negative Emotions,” both of which will certainly help you understand more about how people express themselves when they’re angry (even after an apology!). Feel free to check out KoreanClass101.com and begin studying Korean for free. Know that with enough practice and dedication, you can become a master of Korean!

Before you go, drop us a comment about what new things you learned today about Korean apologies. Do you feel more confident about apologizing in Korean, or are there some things you’re still struggling with? Let us know in the comments!

The creation of the Hangul language in 1446 may be one of the most important and influential events in Korea’s history. This new way of writing down the Korean language greatly improved Koreans’ access to writing, as it was made to be much simpler and easier to learn.

In this article, you’ll learn all about Korean Hangul Proclamation Day (sometimes spelled Hangeul Proclamation Day), including traditions and what exactly makes the Hangul language so easy. This South Korean holiday is a clear reflection of language progress, and learning about it will give a deeper look into South Korea’s history and current culture.

Let’s get started and cover the basics of Hangeul Proclamation Day in South Korea.

At KoreanClass101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is Hangul Proclamation Day?

Hangul are the Korean characters created and spread in 1446 by King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty. Even back then, Korean was spoken in Korea like it is today, but since Korean had no characters of its own, they wrote with Chinese characters.

However, there was a problem with this. Chinese characters took a long time to learn, meaning that farmers and people who had to work had trouble learning them. So King Sejong, in order to create a writing system that anyone could learn, founded a place called Jiphyeonjeon where Hangul was created in 1446.

Hangul Proclamation Day has been celebrated since 1926, but was called Gagya Day. Korean Hangul’s alphabet starts with the characters with Giyeok such as Ga, Gya, G
eo, Gyeo, Go, Gyo, Geu and Gi. That was how it first got its name of Ga-gya Day, and perhaps why it’s sometimes still referred to as Korean Alphabet Day.

2. When is Hangul Proclamation Day?

Each year, Hangul Proclamation Day is celebrated on October 9.

3. Celebrations for the Hangul Language

To celebrate how great Hangul is, various events take place all over Korea on Hangul Proclamation Day. There are fashion shows with clothes designed and inspired by Hangul, and various pieces of art that use Hangul are also shown.

Also on Hangeul Day, many websites change their logo from English to Korean characters. Even the search site Google changes its logo to Hangul on Hangul Proclamation Day.

4. Why is Hangul so Easy?

Why do you think Hangul is easy to learn? It’s because Hangul is a combination of consonant and vowel sounds, and its special characteristic is that almost every sound can be written, and the number of characters you need to memorize is low.

Also, many Hangul letters were made similar to the shape of your mouth or tongue when you pronounce the letter. If the pronunciation is similar, then the character shapes are most likely similar too, so anyone can easily memorize and learn it.

5. Essential Vocabulary for Hangul Proclamation Day

Here’s the essential vocabulary you need to know for Hangul Proclamation Day in South Korea!

• 언어 (eoneo) — “language”
• 쓰다 (sseuda) — “write”
• 읽다 (iktta) — “read”
• 한글날 (Hangeullal) — “Hangul Proclamation Day”
• 소리 (sori) — “sound”
• 훈민정음 (hunminjeongeum) — “Hunminjeongeum“
• 주시경 (ju sigyeong) — “Ju Si-gyeong“
• 세종대왕 (sejong daewang) — “the Great Sejong”
• 모음 (moeum) — “vowel”
• 우수성 (ususeong) — “superiority”
• 조선 시대 (joseon sidae) — “Joseon Dynasty“
• 창제 (changje) — “invention”
• 한글 (hangeul) — “Hangul”
• 반포 (banpo) — “distribution”
• 자음 (jaeum) — “consonant”
• 태극기 (taegukgi) — “Flag of South Korea”
• 문자 (munja) — “letter”
• 공휴일 (gonghyuil) — “legal holiday”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, alongside relevant images, check out our Hangul Proclamation Day vocabulary list!

How KoreanClass101 Can Make a Korean Language Master

Did you learn anything new about Hangul, or the Korean language in general? Does your country have any language-related holidays? Let us know in the comments; we always look forward to hearing from you!

To continue learning about Korean culture and the language, explore KoreanClass101.com. We provide an array of fun and effective learning tools for every learner, at every level:

• Insightful blog posts on a range of cultural and language-related topics
• Free vocabulary lists covering a variety of topics and themes
• Podcasts and videos to improve your listening and pronunciation skills
• Mobile apps to learn Korean anywhere, on your own time
• Much, much more!

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Today, we will discuss one of the most important Korean holidays in Korea–Chuseok, or the Korean version of Thanksgiving. We will be offering detailed information about what you are expected to do during the holidays, as well as the activities that take place during the holidays.

1. Chuseok Holiday: What is Chuseok and When Is It?
2. Korean Traditional Holiday: History of Chuseok
3. Chuseok Activities: Are There Any Korean Traditional Games?
4. Traditional Chuseok Foods: What do you eat on Chuseok?
5. Chuseok Greetings: Phrases You Need to Know
6. Activities for Foreigners During Chuseok
7. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You

1. Chuseok Holiday: What is Chuseok and When Is It?

1- What is Chuseok and What Do You Do on Chuseok?

추석 [Chuseok], also known as the Korean Thanksgiving holidays, is one of the most important cultural holidays in Korea, along with 설날 [Seollal; New Year’s Day], in South Korea. It is celebrated on the 15th day(full moon) of the 8th month in the lunar calendar.

Traditionally, Koreans used to wear traditional clothes called 한복 [Hanbok] when visiting their parents and extended family during the holidays. Women usually prepared the table filled with food for the family’s ancestors. It may sound fun since everyone visits their home to meet their family, but preparing the food is still not an easy task for Korean women as there are many different dishes to prepare, such as rice, soup, rice cakes, fruits, and various other dishes, traditional drinks, and desserts.

After the meal preparation and ancestral worship, the family will gather to have big meals together. Some Korean families will visit their ancestor’s graveyards located in the deep mountains, while others engage in family activities together. We’ll provide more details below.

2- So When is Chuseok?

Chuseok fell on the 13th of September in 2019, but the holiday period actually lasts for three or more. The date of Chuseok is different every year as it is based on the lunar calendar, so it’s mandatory to check the exact date and plan the traveling in advance. This is because most Koreans will return to their hometowns, resulting in a lack of train and airplane tickets and major traffic jams.

Here are the dates of Chuseok for the next 10 years:

• 2019: 9월 13일 [guwol sipsamil] – September 13, 2019
• 2020: 10월 1일 [siwol iril] – October 1, 2020
• 2021: 9월 21일 [guwol isibiril] – September 21, 2021
• 2022: 9월 10일 [guwol sibil] – September 10, 2022
• 2023: 9월 29일 [guwol isipguil] – September 29, 2023
• 2024: 9월 17일 [guwol sipchiril] – September 17, 2024
• 2025: 10월 6일 [siwol yugil] – October 6, 2025
• 2026: 9월 25일 [guwol isiboil] – September 25, 2026
• 2027: 9월 15일 [guwol iboil] – September 15, 2027
• 2028: 10월 3일 [siwol samil] – October 3, 2028

2. Korean Traditional Holiday: History of Chuseok

The origin of the Chuseok holidays isn’t clear. From what little that we know, Chuseok originates back to nearly 2,000 years ago, when the third king of the Silla dynasty, King Yuri (24-57) supposedly started the chuseok holidays as a competitive festival. Legend states that the women in the kingdom were put into different groups for a certain amount of time. During this time, each team weaved as much cloth as they could, and the winning team was treated to a feast of food.

3. Chuseok Activities: Are There Any Korean Traditional Games?

There are many activities that you can enjoy during Chuseok.

1- 강강술래 [Ganggangsullae] – 5,000-year-old Korean Traditional Dance

강강술래 [Ganggangsullae] is a Korean traditional dance that is performed by women only at night.

• Ganggangsullae Video
• Ganggangsullae Images

The women stand in circle and hold each other’s hand as they move around in a clockwise direction. There is no music accompanying the dance; one woman sings, while the other women repeat 강강술래 [ganggangsullae] over and over. The songs performed during the dance tell stories about everyday life in Korea.

2- 윷놀이 [Yunnori] – Traditional Board Game Played in Korea

윷놀이 [Yunnori] is a traditional Korean board game. Usually, the game is played by two teams or more. It is similar to a board game where you throw one or two dices to move forward. Instead of a dice, there are 윷[yut] sticks, which are 4 sticks. Also, when you throw these Yut sticks, each combination has its name. For example:

• 도 [do]: One stick over and three sticks up; take a step forward
• 개 [gae]: Two sticks up and two sticks over; take two steps forward
• 걸 [geol]: One stick up and three sticks over; take three steps forward
• 윷 [yut]: All sticks over; take 4 steps forward
• 모 [mo]: All sticks up; take 5 steps forward

If you are not sure how the combination works, check out this image.

• More information about game rule
• Yut Video
• Yut Images

Also, when sticks result in either 윷 [yut] or 모 [mo], the play gets another chance of throwing the sticks.

3- 씨름 [ssireum]- Traditional Korean Wrestling

씨름 [ssireum] also known as Korean wrestling is a traditional national sport of Korea since the fourth century. Ssireum was originated back in the Goguryeo period.

• Ssireum Video
• Ssireum Images

In the 20th century, 씨름[ssireum] gained popularity and quickly became a nationally televised sport in South Korea. People would gather around to watch the 씨름[ssireum] championships. However, in recent days, 씨름[ssireum] has lost its popularity and is rarely shown on TV.

4- 줄다리기 [juldarigi] – Korean Traditional Tug of War

줄다리기 [juldarigi] is the Korean version of tug of war.

• Juldarigi Video
• Juldarigi Images

The concept is similar to the Western version. Participants use a huge rice-straw rope which is pulled at by two teams. The number of rice-straw ropes and the rules may vary depending on the region.

5- 거북놀이 [geobungnori] – Turtle Play

거북놀이 [geobungnori], direct translation being ‘Turtle Play’, is a play which is performed to drive away negative spirits and ghosts, and wish for good health and long life.

• Geobungnori Video
• Geobungnori Images

It is usually performed in the 경기도 [Gyeonggi Province] and 충청도 [Chungcheong Province] regions during the Chuseok holidays.

4. Traditional Chuseok Foods: What do you eat on Chuseok?

1- Exchanging Gifts: Huge Variety of Chuseok Gifts

Gift-giving is a new tradition. Koreans show their appreciation for the people in their lives by giving others gifts for Chuseok–this can be to family, friends, coworkers, and bosses.

At a supermarket, you will be able to see a variety of Chuseok gift sets, such as Spam, high-quality cuts of beef, baskets of beautifully wrapped fresh fruits, and so on. Between business acquaintances, Koreans usually exchange sets of Korean traditional sweets or wines.

One thing to note is 김영란법 [Kim Young-ran Act; The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act], so there is a limit to how much money you can spend on gifts. This law does not apply to friends or family members but does for business acquaintances, so please watch out for it if you are planning to exchange Chuseok gifts.

2- List of Traditional Korean Chuseok Food that You Can Eat

On Chuseok, there is some food that you can only eat during the holidays–it is similar to Seollal, when Koreans eat 떡국 [tteokguk; rice cake soup] to celebrate the New Year. During Chuseok, Songpyeon, a type of sweet rice cake, is the signature food. It is relatively easy to make and delicious. Now let’s see a list of Chuseok foods:

1. 송편 [Songpyeon] – Korean Rice Cakes with Honey

송편 [songpyeon] is a signature Chuseok food which is made of glutinous rice. Songpyeon is half-moon shaped rice cakes that contain sweet ingredients such as honey, chestnut paste or red bean paste inside. Half-moon shaped Songpyeon is the original, but these days, there are various different shapes of Songpyeons available.

2. 전 [Jeon] – Traditional Korean-style Pancake

전 [jeon] is a traditional Korean-style pancake. You can eat it as a main dish, side dish, or even as an appetizer or snack. The ingredients you put inside is completely up to you. You can add scallions, kimchi or various vegetables and seafood.

3. 잡채 [Japchae] – Stir-fried glass noodles with various vegetables

잡채 [japchae] is savory stir-fried glass noodles with meat and various vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, and onions, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. Japchae is a traditional Korean food that is served on special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and holidays.

4. 제사상 음식 [Jesasang eumsik] – Variety of Foods for Ancestral Rites Table

The main activity of Chuseok is 제사 [jesa], which is a ceremony practiced in South Korea. Women prepare meals for ancestors and you will be able to eat all the dishes after the worship. Variety of dishes are placed on a table. For example: fruits and vegetables such as 감 [gam; persimmon], 배 [bae; Asian pear], 사과 [sagwa; apple], 배추 [baechu; Napa cabbage],밤 [bam; chestnut], 곶감 [gotgam; Dried Persimmon] and other dishes such as 생선 [saengseon; fish], 나물 [namul; seasoned vegetables], 전 [jeon; Korean traditional pancake], 한과 [Hangwa; Korean traditional sweets] and many more. Note that the preparation of dishes vary slightly depending on a family, as some families add 바나나 [banana] or other foods that are not normally being served during Chuseok, but simply survived because one of the ancestors loved them. To give you an idea of how dishes are places, here are some pictures.

5. Chuseok Greetings: Phrases You Need to Know

Knowing how to say ‘Happy Chuseok’ in Korea is important since people exchange many Chuseok greetings to each other in Korea.

1- 즐거운 한가위 보내세요.

• Jeulgeoun hangawi bonaeseyo.
• I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

즐거운[jeulgeoun] – pleasant
한가위 [hangawi] – Korean Thanksgiving Day, aka 추석 [Chuseok]

2- 좋은일만 가득하세요.

• Joeunilman gadeukaseyo.
• I wish you all the best.

좋은일 [joeunil] – good things
가득하다 [gadeukada] – full

3- 즐겁고 행복한 추석 보내시길 바랍니다.

• Jeulgeopgo haengbokan chuseok bonaesigil baramnida.
• We wish you a wonderful and happy Chuseok.

행복한 [haengbokan] – happy
추석 [Chuseok] – Korean Thanksgiving
바랍니다 [baramnida] – wish

4- 추석 때 어디 갔어요?

• Chuseok ttae eodi gasseoyo?
• Where did you go during Chuseok?

~때 [~ttae] – the moment
어디 갔어요? [eodi gasseoyo?] – where did you go?

5- 추석 때 무엇을 했나요?

• Chuseok ttae mueoseul haennayo?
• What did you do on Chuseok?

~때 [~ttae] – the moment
무엇을 했나요? [mueoseul haennayo?] – what did you do?

6- ~에 갔었습니다.

• ~e gasseotseumnida.
• I went to ~

Example:
추석 때 서울에 갔었습니다.
Chuseok ttae seoure gasseotseumnida.
I went to Seoul during Chuseok.

6. Activities for Foreigners During Chuseok

For travelers or foreigners living in Korea, Chuseok can be lonely since everyone including friends will be away to celebrate Chuseok. The good news is there are many events only for foreigners during this time–for example, 캐리비안베이 [Caribbean Bay] at Everland offers special discounts for foreigners, so that they can enjoy the indoor and outdoor water park.

To receive a discount, visit their website and download a special discount coupon during the Chuseok event. Caribbean Bay is one of the most crowded amusement parks in Korea, but if you have a privilege to enjoy a spacious place with fewer people.

Also, many other touristic areas offer special events during Chuseok, so be sure to check out their events to enjoy them too.

7. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You

You may want to check out our free lessons such as Korean Thanksgiving Day, a culture class about Chuseok and 7 must-know vocabularies for Chuseok and many more. We also have more Chuseok related Korean articles such as here and top 10 Korean Special event :Chuseok .
Feel free to visit KoreanClass101 for free vocabulary lists, pronunciation practices and also a forum where you can ask any questions about Korea including grammar, pronunciation, cultures and so on.

We hope you found this blog informative and good luck with studying Korean!

The National Liberation Day of Korea celebrates the Korean liberation from Japan, and commemorates those who sacrificed to attain this freedom. This Korean liberation took effect only after many years of struggle and oppressive living conditions, making this newfound freedom that much sweeter.

Learn more about Korean Liberation Day with KoreanClass101.com, and gain insight into Korea’s history and how it shapes its culture today. We hope to make this lesson both fun and informative!

1. What is Korean Liberation Day?

On this day, Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces in World War II. At the same time, the Korean Peninsula was also freed from the domination of Japan. On Liberation Day, Koreans celebrate the granting of their long-held wish to be independent from Japan.

The Korean name of this holiday, Gwangbokjeol, is made of Chinese characters.
Gwang means “light” and Bok means “returning.” In other words, it means “the day the light came back.”

Did you know that even in the late 1990s, when the economic situation was bad enough to receive a bailout from the IMF, Koreans held a variety of events on National Liberation Day? This was done to encourage people in the economic crisis to overcome the hardship by reminding them of their ancestors, who overcame the harsh Japanese colonial period without losing hope.

2. When is Korean Liberation Day?

Each year on 15 August, Koreans celebrate their Liberation Day.

3. Traditions & Significance of Liberation Day

On National Liberation Day, many people visit the Independence Hall in Cheonan City. This is where people honor the activists who fought for the independence of the Republic of Korea. In particular, families come to visit with their children to instill a sense of respect and inspiration in them toward their country and those who sacrificed for its freedom.

Koreans raise the national flag on this day, as they do on Independence Movement Day and Korea Memorial Day. The flag is particularly prevalent in South Korea, though it can be seen around the world.

Since Liberation Day takes place in August, one of the most popular vacation months, it’s not uncommon for Koreans to gather in places around the world to celebrate this holiday. So if you happen to be in Paris, France on August 15, don’t be surprised to see a Liberation Day celebration taking place here! The Eiffel Tower is a hotspot for Liberation Day celebrations.

4. Outstanding Korean Activist

Of the independent activists, there was one man who organized the national liberation army, the independence army, and established the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea to establish the independence of the Korean peninsula. Do you know who that man is?

Kim Koo was the activist who argued strongly for the independence of the Republic of Korea to the world leaders who took the Japanese domination of the Korean peninsula for granted at the time. That is why Kim Koo has always been selected as the representative figure of Koreans’ respect.

5. Useful Vocabulary for Liberation Day in Korea

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Liberation Day in Korea!

• 광복절 (gwangbokjjeol) — Liberation Day
• 독립 기념관 (dongnip ginyeomgwan) — Independence Hall of Korea
• 식민지 (singminji) — colony
• 전쟁 (jeonjaeng) — war
• 항복 (hangbok) — submission
• 대한민국 정부 수립 (daehanminguk jeongbu surip) — Republic of Korea Government establishment
• 기념 (ginyeom) — remembrance
• 해방 (haebang) — liberation
• 일본 제국주의 (ilbon jegukjuui) — Japanese imperialism
• 독립 운동 (dongnip undong) — independence movement
• 만세 (manse) — hurray
• 청와대 (cheongwadae) — Blue House
• 1945년 8월 15일 (cheongubaeksasibonyeon parwol siboil) — August 15, 1945

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Korean Liberation Day vocabulary list!

Conclusion: How KoreanClass101 Can Help You Master Korean

We hope you enjoyed learning about Korea’s Liberation Day with us! Does your country have a special national holiday like this one? Let us know about it in the comments!

To continue learning about Korean culture and the language, explore KoreanClass101.com and take advantage of our numerous learning tools:

• Insightful blog posts about a variety of language and cultural topics
• Free vocabulary lists covering a range of topics and themes
• Podcasts to improve your listening and pronunciation skills
• Mobile apps to learn Korean anywhere, anytime
• Much, much more!

If you prefer a one-on-one learning approach, or want to give it a try, be sure to upgrade to Premium Plus. This will give you access to your own personal Korean teacher as well as a personalized learning plan based on your needs and goals!

Whatever your reason for learning Korean, know that your hard work and determination will pay off! And KoreanClass101 will be here with you on each step of your journey to Korean mastery.

Are you good at abiding by the law? Laws are rules that were made so that people can live together peacefully, right? In 1948, South Korea created the first constitution. And they made Constitution Day to celebrate its founding.

The creation of the South Korea constitution is one of the most significant events in the country’s history, and learning about it is a huge step forward in your Korean studies. At KoreanClass101.com, we hope to make this learning adventure both fun and informative!

1. What is South Korean Constitution Day?

On Constitution Day, South Korea remembers and celebrates the creation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. On this important holiday, many activities take place, most of which are directly related to the legal system and other government systems.

Did you know that since 2008, Constitution Day has been excluded from the list of public holidays after the implementation of the five-day work week? That’s why, even though it’s a national holiday, companies and schools are open as usual on this day.

Despite this inconvenience, on Constitution Day, Koreans wholeheartedly celebrate the forming of their constitution, as they should!

2. When is Constitution Day in South Korea?

Each year, Korea celebrates its Constitution Day on July 17, the date in 1948 that the Constitution of the Republic of Korea came into effect.

3. What Happens in South Korea on Constitution Day?

So, what kind of Constitution Day activities go on in South Korea?

The National Assembly Building, where Korean laws are passed, is located in Yeouido, Seoul. There is a Constitution Day celebration held in front of the National Assembly Building on the morning of Constitution Day. In this event, people selected as the National Representatives also participate. What should you do to become a National Representative? Just like everyone is equal under the law, anyone can apply online to become a National Representative without any special requirements.

There is also another special event held at the National Assembly Building, like the Constitution Day celebration. It’s the Korean College Student Debate. Students hold a heated debate on various topics such as the release of sex offenders’ private information and the legalization of same-sex marriage.

There are numerous events related to law-making held at elementary and middle schools. One of them is the mock legal court for children. Students become a judge or lawyer to learn how the law and daily life are related, in a court-like atmosphere. During this event, they address legal issues related to children, such as school violence.

4. South Korean National Assembly

Do you know how many congressmen and women—the people who make the laws—are in South Korea?

Currently, the South Korean National Assembly has 299 congressmen and women. They aren’t divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives, and they’re all elected every five years via an election.

5. Essential Vocabulary for South Korea’s Constitution Day

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Korea’s Constitution Day!

• 제헌절 (Jeheonjeol) — “Constitution Day”
• 대한민국 (daehanminguk) — “The Republic of Korea”
• 준법정신 (junbeopjeongsin) — “the law-abiding spirit”
• 공포 (gongpo) — “promulgation”
• 태극기 게양 (tageukgi gyeyang) — “National flag hoisting”
• 국회의사당 (gukhoeuisadang) — “national assembly building”
• 1948년 7월 17일 (cheongubaeksasippallyeon chirwol sipchiril) — “July 17, 1948”
• 헌법 제정 (heonbeop jejeong) — “enactment of constitution”
• 헌법 (heonbeop) — “constitution”
• 국회의원 (gukhoeuiwon) — “a member of the national assembly”

To hear each vocabulary word pronounced, check out our Korean Constitution Day vocabulary list! Here, you’ll find each vocabulary word accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation, as well as images to help you better understand each concept.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed learning about South Korea’s Constitution Day with us! Did you learn anything new today? What does your country’s Constitution Day look like? Let us know in the comments! We look forward to hearing from you, as always. 🙂

To continue in your Korean studies, explore KoreanClass101.com and take advantage of our fun and practical learning tools! Read more insightful blog posts like this one, study free Korean vocabulary lists, and chat with fellow Korean learners on our community forums! By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can also begin learning Korean with our MyTeacher program using a more personalized plan with your own teacher!

Learning Korean is no easy feat, but fret not. Your hard work and determination will pay off, and with our constant support, you’ll be speaking, writing, and reading Korean like a native before you know it!