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Whether you’re the youngest or oldest person in a group, you’re expected to behave in a certain way in South Korea. For example, it’s important to show respect to someone who is older or of higher status than you by following expected protocol. This blog will guide you through how to use Korean honorific names and offer you cultural insights, so that you don’t offend Koreans next time you travel to South Korea!

1. Master List of Korean Honorific Titles

Before we begin, did you know that Korean and International age are different? Try to calculate your 한국 나이 (“Korean age”) the way that Koreans would. Also, keep in mind that there’s numerous ways to address someone who is older than you.

Definition of Each Korean Title:

• 오빠 (oppa)
  • Literal meaning: “older brother”
  • Is also used to call: A male friend or a male sibling who’s older than you (as a female)
  • Is used by: A younger female to call an older male friend or sibling
  • Example: 정국오빠, 사랑해요! (Jungkook oppa, saranghaeyo!)
• 형 (hyeong; hyung)
  • Literal meaning: “older brother”
  • Is also used to call: A male friend or a male sibling who’s older than you (as a male)
  • Used by: A younger male to call an older male friend or sibling
  • Example: 정국형 (Jungkook hyung)
• 언니 (eonni; unnie)
  • Literal meaning: “older sister”
  • Is also used to call: A female friend or a female sibling who’s older than you (as a female)
  • Used by: A younger female to call an older female or sibling
  • Example: 수지언니 (Sooji unnie/eonni)
• 누나 (nuna; noona)
  • Literal meaning: “older sister”
  • Is also used to call: A female friend or a female sibling who’s older than you (as a male)
  • Used by: A younger male to call an older female or sibling
  • Example: 수지누나 (Sooji noona/nuna)
• 선배 (sunbae; seonbae)
  • Literal meaning: “senior”
  • Is used to call: A female or male student who’s older than you at school/university
  • Used by: A younger female or male student
  • Example: If you’re a senior at a university and your friend is a freshman, you’re 선배 (sunbae/seonbae) to them.
  • Opposite word of 선배 (sunbae; seonbae) is 후배 (hu-bae)
• 후배 (hubae; hoobae)
  • Literal meaning: “junior”
  • Is used to call: A female or male student who’s younger than you at school/university
  • Used by: An older student to call someone who’s younger than him/her
  • Example: If your friend is a freshman at a university and you’re a senior, your friend is 후배 (hu-bae).
  • Opposite word of 후배 (hu-bae) is 선배 (sunbae; seonbae)
• 동생 (dongsaeng)
  • Literal meaning: “younger sibling”
  • Is used to call: A younger male or female sibling or any friend who’s younger than you (as a female/male)
  • Used by: An older male/female or an older sibling to one who’s younger than them
  • Side note: You don’t use this word when you call them. Call them by name.
  • Example:
    • 걔는 내 여자친구가 아니야. 그냥 아는 동생이야.
    • Gyaeneun nae yeoja chinguga aniya. Geunyang aneun dongsaengiya.
    • “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s just a younger friend I know.”
• 여동생 (yeodongsaeng)
  • Literal meaning: “younger sister”
  • Is used to call: A younger female sibling or any female who’s younger than you (as a female/male)
  • Used by: An older male/female or an older sibling to a female who’s younger than them
  • Side note: You don’t use this word when you call them. Call them by name.
  • Example:
    • 내 여동생 소개할게; 이름은 김수진이야. 수진아, 인사해.
    • Nae yeodongsaeng sogaehalge; ireumeun Kim Sujiniya. Sujina, insahae.
    • “Let me introduce my sister; her name is Kimk Sujin. Hey Sujin, say hi.”
• 남동생 (namdongsaeng)
  • Literal meaning: “younger brother”
  • Is used to call: A younger male sibling or any male who’s younger than you (as a female/male)
  • Used by: An older male/female or an older sibling to call a male who’s younger
  • Side note: You don’t use this word when you call them. Call them by name.
  • Example:
    • A: 준철이 어디 있어? (Juncheori eodi isseo?) “Where is Juncheol?”
    • B: 아, 내 남동생? 지금 피씨방에 있어. (A, nae namdongsaeng? jigeum pissibange isseo.) “Ah, my brother? He is at PC bang.”
• 씨 (ssi)
• • Literal meaning: “Mr./Miss/Mrs.”
  • Is used to call: Someone whom you need to show some respect to
  • Used for: Business environment
  • Example: 소희씨 (Sohuissi)
• 님 (nim)
  • Literal meaning: “Mr./Miss/Mrs.” (It’s more polite and respectful than 씨[ssi])
  • Is used to call: Someone whom you need to show some respect to
  • Used for: Business environment
  • Example: 소연님 안녕하세요 (Soyeonnim annyeonghaseyo)
• 어머님 (umonim; eomeonim)
  • Literal meaning: 어머니 (eomeoni) “mother”
  • Is an honorific form of 어머니 (eomeoni) “mother”
  • Is used to call: A mother-in-law or your acquaintance’s mother
  • Used by: female/male
  • Synonyms: 엄마 (eomma) A casual way to say “mother”
• 아버님 (abunim)
  • Literal meaning: 아버지 (abeoji) “father”
  • Is an honorific form of 아버지 (abeoji) “father”
  • Is used to call: A father-in-law or your acquaintance’s father
  • Used by: female/male
  • Synonyms: 아빠 (appa) A casual way to say “father”
  • Example: 좋은 말씀 감사합니다! (Joeun malsseum gamsahamnida) “Thanks for your kind words!”
• 아주머니 (ajumoni)
  • Literal meaning: “middle-aged woman; madam”
  • Is used to call: A woman in her forties to sixties
  • Used by: female/male
  • Synonyms: 아줌마 (ajumma) A casual way to say 아주머니 (ajumoni)
  • Although 아줌마 is commonly used in daily life (compare to 아주머니) , it may offend some women. Therefore, if you’re not sure how to draw the attention of a middle-aged woman, just attract her attention by saying 죄송한데요… (Joesonghandeyo…) “Excuse me.”
• 아저씨 (ajusshi)
  • Literal meaning: “middle-aged man; mister”
  • Is used to call: A man in his forties to sixties
  • Used by: female/male
  • Example: 아저씨, 이거 얼마예요? (Ajeossi, igeo eolmayeyo?) “How much is this?”
• 할아버지 (halabuji)
  • Literal meaning: “grandfather”
  • Is used to call: An old man over seventy years old
  • Used by: female/male
  • Example: 할아버지 편찮으세요? (Harabeoji pyeonchaneuseyo?) “Are you feeling okay, grandfather?”
• 할머니 (halmeoni)
  • Literal meaning: “grandmother”
  • Is used to call: An old woman over seventy years old
  • Used by: female/male
  • Example: 할머니, 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Halmeoni, saehae bok mani badeuseyo!) “Happy New Year, grandmother!”
• 아가씨 (agassi)
  • Literal meaning: “young lady; miss”
  • Is used to call: A young lady who isn’t married yet
  • Used by: older people
  • Example: 아가씨, 혈액형이 뭐예요? (Agassi, hyeoraekyeongi mwoyeyo?) “What is your blood type?”
• 이모님 (imonim)
  • Literal meaning: “my aged aunt”
  • Is used to call: A woman in her fifties to sixties
  • Used for: Restaurants in the casual atmosphere
  • Used by: female/male
  • Example: (at a restaurant)
    • 이모(님)! 여기 소주 한 병 주세요!
    • Imo(nim)! Yeogi soju han byeong juseyo
    • “Imo(nim)! Please give me a bottle of Soju!”

To add a Korean title is very easy. What you need to do is ask a person’s Korean age and her/his name. After that, just add Korean honorifics after their names. For example:

• 철수 (Chulsoo) + 형 (hyung) = 철수 형 (Chulsoo hyung)
• 지민 (Jimin) + 오빠 (oppa) = 지민 오빠 (Jimmin oppa)
• 효린 (Hyorin) + 언니 (unnie) = 효린 언니 (Hyorin unnie)
• 현아 (Hyuna) + 누나 (noona/nuna) = 현아 누나 (Hyuna noona/nuna)

In general, don’t use 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) or 남동생 (namedongsaeng) to call someone who’s younger than you. Call them by their name, such as 지민아 (jimina), 혜지야 (hyejiya). If you don’t have a Korean name, there won’t be any 아 or 야 after your name, so it will be only 제이슨 (jeiseun), 테레사 (teresa), 민탕 (mintang), 리하오 (rihao). For those who don’t know how to write your own name in Korean or want to have a Korean name, KoreanClass101 has a page dedicated to writing Korean names. In Korea, when you meet someone for the first time, the conversation below is often:

소희: 소연 씨는 한국 나이로 몇 살이에요?
Sohee: Soyeon ssineun hanguk nairo myeot sarieyo?
“How old are you Soyeon?”

소연: 한국 나이로 25살이에요.
Soyeon: Hanguk nairo 25 sarieyo.
“I am 25 years old (Korean age).”

소희: 아, 난 올해 26살인데!
Sohee: A, nan olhae 26 sarinde!
“I see, I am 26 years old!”

소연: 아, 그렇군요, 앞으로 소희언니라고 부를게요.
Soyeon: A, geureokunyo, apeuro sohuieonnirago bureulgeyo.
“I see, I will call you Sohee unnie from now on.”

A. Cultural Insight: What it Means to be Older

In Korea, age is important and addressing someone with an appropriate title is crucial. Also, you need to show respect to someone who is one year older or even just a few months older than you. This might sound crazy at first, but if you happen to be older than other fellows, there are many benefits you can enjoy:

1- Benefits of Being Older in Korea

1. You can order 동생 (dongsaeng) “young fellows” to do things for you.
If you’re older (either 오빠/형 oppa; hyung/hyeong or 언니/누나 unni/unnie; noona/nuna) and want to ask someone to bring you something or do things for you, you’re allowed to do this simply because you’re older. You can request simple tasks such as bringing you the phone (if it’s far from you), buying some food for you from the supermarket, and many other small tasks that you don’t want to do.

2. Others will show respect to you by bowing to you.
Koreans don’t wave or shake hands to say hello or goodbye to their seniors. You need to bow to elders to show courtesy. Also, did you know that there are different degrees of the bow to show politeness? A fifteen-degree bow is a very common way of greeting elders, and a forty-five-degree bow is to show the highest degree of politeness. Pro tip: Pay attention to 한국 드라마 (hanguk deurama) “Korean dramas.”

3. People will speak to you with formal language.
Do you know how to say a formal and informal “hello” in Korean? You can not say 안녕 (annyeong)—which is an informal greeting in Korean—to someone who is older than you. 안녕 (annyeong) is used when you’re speaking with someone of the same age or someone who is younger than you. If you want to greet an older person, you need to use formal language. In this case, you need to say 안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo) which is a formal greeting in Korean.

Let’s see if you can distinguish the difference:

A: 효린아, 안녕. 주말 잘 보냈어?
Hyorina, annyeong. Jumal jal bonaesseo?
“Hello, Hyorin. How was your weekend?”

B: 효린 언니/누나, 안녕하세요. 주말 잘 보내셨어요?
Hyorin unni/unnie; noona/nuna, annyeonghaseyo. Jumal jal bonaesyeosseoyo?
“Hello, Hyorin unnie. How was your weekend?”

Which sentence uses formal language? Which one uses informal language? That’s right. A is informal language and B is formal language. Here’s another example. Let’s say that you’re working on a group assignment and you found out that you’re the youngest in the group. Which expression is most likely used by you?

A: 나 지금 어디 빨리 가야 해서, 나중에 얘기하자.
Na jigeum eodi ppalli gaya haeseo, najunge yaegihaja.
“Sorry, I have to go somewhere quickly, let’s talk later.”

B: 선배님, 그럼 연락처 알려주시겠어요?
Seonbaenim (or Sunbaenim), geureom yeollakcheo allyeojusigesseoyo?
“Okay, seonbaenim (or Sunbaenim), can I have your contact number?”

2- Disadvantages of Being Older in Korea

However, regardless of how you can take advantages of these things mentioned above, there are also downsides about being older in a group:

1. You are expected to pay for the lunch/dinner.
Have you ever heard someone say 내가 한턱 쏜다! (Naega hanteok ssonda) or 내가 쏠께 (Naega ssolkke)? It means “This is on me!” and these expressions are often used in South Korea, so it’s good to memorize them. You may be expected to pay for many activities such as lunch, dinner, movies, and so on if you’re older, and this is accepted in the workplace as well.

(You ordered some food at a café and 선배님 wants to pay for you.)

선배: 내가 오늘 한턱 쏜다!
Naega oneul hanteok ssonda!
“Today, it’s all on me!”

후배: 우와, 선배님 짱! 감사합니다!
Uwa, sunbaenim jjang! Gamsahamnida!
“Wow, thank you, sunbae (or seonbae)!”

2. You need to lead the group.
People show a decent respect to you, follow your orders, use formal language, and even bow to you when greeting. It does feel great, right? However, did you know that they expect you to show a strong leadership in return? Also, if they trust you, they will come to you to receive advice as well. So be prepared for it!

3. It might become difficult for you to make friends.
When you take advantage of your power, it may be fun for you in the beginning, but be prepared for consequences. No one wants to be with someone who likes controlling people. So be cautious of your actions.

B. Cultural Insight: What it Means to be Younger

If you’re younger or the youngest in a group, there are a number of things you’ll need to do for older people, including:

1- Use formal language/bow every time you meet them.
As explained above, you need to show respect to someone who is older or who has higher status than you. This may be challenging at first if you’re not used to it, but using appropriate Korean honorific titles is important in South Korea, so do your best to use these! Also, show some respect by bowing to them. There may also be times where you have to follow their orders even if you don’t want to, but it really depends on the person, so don’t worry too much about this.

A lot of students who are learning Korean struggle with 존댓말 (jondaenmal) “formal language,” but don’t worry, it takes time to get used to these Korean honorifics. If you’re able to use Korean honorific expressions when speaking to people in Korea, they will be surprised at first (because you’re fluent in Korean!) but they’ll also show great respect to you in return. Let’s try to learn a few different Korean honorifics:

– When you speak to a professor:
교수님, 집에 고양이 키우고 계세요? (formal language)
Gyosunim, jibe goyangi kiugo gyeseyo?
“Professor, are you raising a cat at home?”

– When you speak to a male who’s older than you
지민오빠, 집에 고양이 키우고 계세요? (formal language)
Jimin oppa, jibe goyangi kiugo gyeseyo?
“Jimin oppa, are you raising a cat at home?”

– When you speak to someone who’s the same age as you
영웅아, 집에 고양이 키워? (informal language)
Yeongung-a, jibe goyangi kiwo?
“Yeongung, are you raising a cat at home?”

2- Unless they allowed you to do so, never use informal language.
Not all Koreans strictly follow this rule as more and more people in Korea want to establish close relationships with others of different ages and backgrounds. Some 형 (hyeong; hyung), 누나 (noona; nuna), 오빠 (oppa), 언니 (unnie; unni), and 선배 (sunbae) allow 남동생 (namedongsaeng), 여동생 (yeodongsaeng), 후배 (hubae; hoobae) to speak 반말 (banmal) “informal language” in order to build a closer relationship with them and to erase hierarchy. However, it’s important to understand that you can’t use 반말 (banmal) unless you have been told to do so. If you start speaking informal language suddenly, there is a high chance that you’ll offend them.

2. Business/Work Titles

We’ve learned from the list of Korean honorific titles that if there’s someone who is older or has higher status than you at work, he or she will most likely call your name by [name]씨. There are many other titles that you can use in the workplace. For instance, if you want to call your colleagues and superiors, you can use [name]님 or [name]대리님 or another work title accordingly.

Here’s a list of commonly used work titles in Korea (ordered from higher status to lower status):

If you want to call someone from your work, simply add an appropriate title after his or her name.

For example:

• 윤서 대리님 (yunseo daerinim)
• 민경 과장님 (mingyeong gwajangnim)
• 민호 이사님 (minho isanim)

Keep in mind that not all Korean companies strictly follow these rules. Other (foreign) companies 외국계 회사 (oegukgye hoesa) “a foreign-affiliated firm” or start-up companies use either English names or 님 to everyone to allow for flat organization.

3. Be Careful When You Use Korean Honorific Titles!

It can be difficult to learn at first because there are many rules that you need to remember. Here are some tips for you to memorize so that you don’t make these mistakes in the future!

To call a taxi driver:
– Don’t: 택시기사씨 (taeksigisassi)
– Do: 택시기사님 (taeksigisanim); 기사님 (gisanim)

To call an old lady:
– Don’t: 아주머니씨 (ajumonissi); 아줌마씨 (ajummassi)
– Do: 아주머니 (ajumoni), 아줌마 (ajumma)

To call an old man:
– Don’t: 아저씨씨 (ajusshissi); 아저씨님 (ajussinim)
– Do: 아저씨 (ajusshi)

To call a grandfather:
– Don’t: 할아버지님 (halabujinim)
– Do: 할아버지 (halabuji)

4. KoreanClass101 Can Help You Improve Your Korean

KoreanClass101 has a lesson that discusses Korean honorifics in detail, so please check out our free Korean lesson “Show People Respect with Korean Honorific Speech.”

Even if you can read and understand Korean well, it can be problematic if you can’t pronounce the language properly. We have a free lesson on “How to Sound Like a Native: Korean Pronunciation” as well, so please check it out!

If you have any questions regarding the Korean language, culture, and more, check out our KoreanClass101 forum.

감사합니다 (polite form of “thank you” in Korean). We hope that you learned a lot of Korean honorifics today! Go put them to good use on your next visit to Korea!

Depending on where you’re from in South Korea, people speak with a different accent. This is called 방언 (bangeon) or 사투리 (saturi) in Korean. Also, the Korean language that you learn is standard Korean language, which is the Gyeonggi dialect. We won’t go into too much detail about how Gyeonggi dialect and the standard Korean language differ, since this is a very complicated topic. Instead, we’re going to introduce something more interesting; we’re going to introduce six different dialects in South Korea and how you can distinguish between them.

The important message to you is that we don’t expect you to memorize the different dialect usage. Just note that there are different dialects in South Korea and that they sound different. Once you know these dialects, your trip will be more interesting since you’ll be able to recognize the different sounds and accents.

Table of Contents

1. 경기 방언 (Gyeonggi dialect)
2. 강원 방언 (Gangwon dialect)
3. 충청 방언 (Chungcheong dialect)
4. 경상 방언 (Gyeongsang dialect)
5. 전라도 방언 (Jeollado dialect)
6. 제주 방언 (Jeju dialect)

1. 경기 방언 (Gyeonggi dialect)

경기 방언 (gyeonggi bangeon), or the Gyeonggi dialect, is used in a number of areas in South Korea and is concentrated in Seoul and Incheon. This dialect is the standard language that you’ll learn when you study Korean, and it’s used in most of the TV shows, radio stations, news channels, and so on. Everyone in Korea will understand this dialect, even if the person whom you’re speaking to uses a different dialect.

Let’s listen to 경기방언: Just to give you an idea of what the gyeonggi dialect (a.k.a. Seoul dialect) sounds like, you can watch this video.

1- Characteristics of Gyeonggi dialect:

1 – They change ㅗ sounds to ㅜ
Example:

• 먹고 싶다 (meokgo sipda) or “I want to eat” -> 먹구 싶다 (meokgu sipda) or “I want to eat”
• ~하기도 하다 (~hagido hada) or “sometimes I~” -> 하기두 하다 (~hagidu hada) or “sometimes I~”

2 – You add an extra consonant such as ㄹ to a word
Example:

• 이거로 (igeoro) or “this one” -> 이걸로 or 이걸루 (igeollo or igeollu) meaning “this one”

2. 강원 방언 (Gangwon dialect)

강원 방언 (Gangwon dialect) is spoken in 강원 (Gangwon) which is located in Northeast South Korea. This place is famous for having many mountains and forests. Also, the Pyeongchang Olympic was hosted in this province in 2018.

Let’s listen to 강원 방언 (Gangwon dialect): Pay attention to the grandmother in this video, as she speaks with a very strong 강원 (gangwon) dialect.

1- Characteristics of 강원 방언 (Gangwon dialect):

1 – They pronounce ㅆ as ㅅ
Example:

• 쌀 (ssal) meaning “rice” -> 살 (sal)
• 싸움 (ssaum) meaning “fight” -> 사움 (saum)
• 쓰레기 (sseuregi) -> 스레기 (seuregi)

2- They changeㅏ to ㅓ at the end of a sentence
Example:

• 합시다 (hapsida) meaning “let’s do this” -> 합시더 (hapsideo)
• 남자 (namja) meaning “man” -> 머스마 (meoseuma)

3 – They use various words at the end of a question, such as -나, -노, -고, -가, and so on
Example:

• 비 와? (bi wa?) meaning “is it raining?” -> 비오나? (biona?)
• 누구 책이야? (nugu chaegiya?) meaning “whose book is it?” -> 누 책인고? (nu chaegingo?)
• 어디가? (eodiga?) meaning “where are you going?” -> 어데 가노? (eode gano?)

2- Example of 강원 방언 (Gangwon dialect):

강원방언 (Gangwon dialect) is underlined in these example sentences.

• 여러분께 알려드립니다.
  yeoreobunkke allyeodeurimnida.
  “I would like to make an announcement to you.”
  여러분들인데 알코 디레요. (yeoreobundeurinde alko direyo.)
• 큰일났어요.
  keunillasseoyo.
  “We have a problem.”
  클나싸요. (keullassayo.)
• 어디 계십니까?
  eodi gyesimnikka?
  “Where are you?” (honorific expression)
  어데 간? (eode gan?)
• 그것은 무엇입니가?
  geugeoseun mueosimniga?
  “What is this?”
  그건 머인? (geugeon meoin?)
• 지금까지 잤어?
  jigeumkkaji jasseo?
  “You slept until now?”
  여적 잔? (yeojeok jan?)
• 저기 있는 저 아이는 누구입니까?
  jeogi inneun jeo aineun nuguimnikka?
  “Who is the child over there?”
  쟈는 누꼬? (jyaneun nukko?)
• 어머, 어떡하면 좋아!
  eomeo, eottekhamyeon joa!
  “Oh my goodness, what should I do!”
  우아노! (uano!)

3. 충청 방언 (Chungcheong dialect)

The 충청 방언 (Chungcheong dialect) is commonly used in many regions of South Korea, mainly concentrated in 충청북도 and 충청남도, which are both located right below 서울 경기도.

Let’s listen to 충청 방언 (Chungcheong dialects): Are you interested in what 충청 방언 sounds like? Listen to the dialogue of these two MCs in this video. The lady in the red dress speaks the standard Korean language and the man on the left speaks with a very strong 충청 방언 (Chungcheong dialect).

1- Characteristics of 충청 방언 (Chungcheong dialects)

1 – If the last word of the sentence ends with ㅐ or ㅔ, it changes to ㅑ
Example:

• 피곤해 (pigonhae) meaning “I feel tired” -> 피곤햐 (pigonhya)
• 뱀 (baem) meaning “snake” -> 뱜 (byam)
• 뱀에게 물렸대 (baemege mullyeotdae) meaning “someone was beaten by a snake” -> 뱜한태 물렸댜 (byamhantae mullyeotdya)

2 – If the last word of a sentence ends with 야, it changes to 여
Example:

• 아니야 (aniya) meaning “be not” -> 아니여 (aniyeo)
• 뭐야? (mwoya?) meaning “what is it?” -> 뭐여 (mwoyeo)

2- Example of 충청 방언 (Chungcheong dialects)

Let’s look at some more examples. (We underlined the Chungcheong dialect examples for you.)

학교에서 (hakgyoeseo) “at school”
A: 왜그래 뭐 화나는 일 있어?
A: waegeurae mwo hwananeun il isseo?
A: “What’s the matter?”
A: 왜 그랴? 뭐 씅깔나는일 있어? (wae geurya? mwo sseungkkallaneunil isseo?)

B: 아침에 버스 놓쳐서 택시타고 왔어
B: achime beoseu nochyeoseo taeksitago wasseo.
B: “Yeah, I missed the bus so I took a taxi this morning.”
B: 어, 아침에 버스 뼈서 택시타고 왔어. (eo, achime beoseu ppyeoseo taeksitago wasseo.)

A: 근데 태산이는?
A: geunde taesanineun?
A: “But where is Taesan?”
A: 근데 태산이는? (geunde taesanineun?)

B: 응, 머리에 돌 맞아서 입원했대.
B: eung, meorie dol majaseo ibwonhaetdae.
B: “Yeah, he was hospitalized because he was hit by a stone on his head.”
B: 응, 대굼빡에 독짝 맞아서 입원했댜. (eung, daegumppage dokjjak majaseo ibwonhaetdya.)

A: 그래?
A: geurae?
A: “Really?”
A: 기여? (giyeo?)

4. 경상 방언 (Gyeongsang dialect)

The 경상 방언 (Gyeongsang dialect) is commonly used in the Gyeongsang region of South Korea. Cities that use this dialect are Busan, Daegu, and Ulsan.

Let’s listen to 경상 방언 (Gyeongsang dialect): Watch this video of two people with different dialects. The guy on the left speaks 경기 방언 (gyeonggi bangeon) or the “Gyeonggi dialect” and the lady on the right speaks with the 전라 방언 (Jeolla dialect). Can you hear the difference?

1- Characteristics of 경상 방언 (Gyeongsang dialect)

1 – There are a number of words that they change:

• 으 becomes 어
• 의 becomes 에
• 그 becomes 거
• ㅚ becomes ㅐ
• ㅟ becomesㅣor ㅡ

Example:

• 저쪽 위에 있다. (jeojjok wie itda.) meaning “It’s over there.” -> 저짜 우에 있데이. (jeojja ue itdei.)
• 왜 안 되냐? (wae an doenya?) meaning “Why can’t I?” -> 와 안대노? (wa andaeno?)
• 뒤에 있다. (dwie itda.) meaning “It is behind you.” -> 디에 있다. (die itda.)

2 – They shorten sentences
Example:

• 뭐라고 했니? (mworago haenni?) meaning “What did you say?” -> 뭐라카노? (mworakano?)
• 왜 그러십니까? (wae geureosimnikka?) meaning “Why?” -> 와 그라노? (wa geurano?)
• 가 버려라 (ga beoryeora) meaning “go away” -> 가뿌라 (gappura)

3 – Sentences that end with ~다 become ~데이
Example:

• 같이 합시다. (gachi hapsida.) meaning “Let’s go together.” -> 같이 합시데이. (gachi hapsidei.)
• 내가 왔다. (naega watda.) meaning “I am here” -> 내가 왔데이. (naega watdei.)

4 – Interrogative sentences that end with ~니 become ~나, ~노, ~고, or ~가
Example:

비 오니? (bi oni?) meaning “Is it raining?” -> 비 오나? (bi ona?)
누구 책이니? (nugu chaegini?) meaning “Whose book is it?” -> 누 책이고? (nu chaegigo?)
어디 가니? (eodi gani?) meaning “Where are you going?” -> 어데 가노? (eode gano?)

2- Example of 경상 방언 (Gyeongsang dialect)

Let’s look at some more examples. (We underlined the Gyeongsang dialect examples for you.)

• 아이구 셔
  aigu syeo
  “How sour it is”
  아구 샤구랍어래이~ (agu syagurabeoraei~)
• 제대로 해라.
  jedaero haera.
  “Do it properly.”
  단디 해라이. (dandi haerai.)
• 괜히 이렇게 해놨네
  gwaenhi ireoke haenwanne
  “I should not have done like this”
  맥지 이캐놨네 (maekji ikaenwanne)

5. 전라도 방언 (Jeollado dialect)

Let’s listen to 전라도 방언 (Jeollado bangeon): This is a commercial video aired in South Korea. Listen to the lady in this video; she speaks with a Jeollado dialect.

1- Characteristics of 전라 방언 (jeolla bangeon)

1 – They add ~잉, ~부러, ~ 쟤, and so on, at the end of a sentence
Example:

• 그렇습니다.
  geureoseumnida.
  “Yes it is.”
  그라죠잉~ (geurajyoing~)
• 추천을 하세요
  chucheoneul haseyo
  “Recommend”
  추천 하쇼잉! (chucheon hasyoing!)

2 – They have many exclamatory expressions

• 어머 -> 오메. 왐마
• 저기요 -> 아야
• 어떻하지 -> 어찌아스까나
• 그래서 -> 근디

3 – They use 거시기 (“thing”) a lot
Example:

• 아 왜 그 왜 있잖아. 그 아이의 이름이 기억나지가 않아…..
  “You know that person. I can’t remember the name of that person.”
  
  내가 어제 거시기랑 거시가 하다가 가 거시기한데 거시기했는데
  naega eoje geosigirang geosiga hadaga ga geosigihande geosigihaenneunde
  아따 거 머시기 있냐, 그놈아 이름이 기억이 안나부러….
  atta geo meosigi innya, geunoma ireumi gieogi annabureo….

2- Example of 전라 방언 (jeolla bangeon)

Here, as always, the jeolla bangeon is underlined in the examples below.

• 너 그거 좀 버리지 않을래?
  neo geugeo jom beoriji aneullae?
  “Can you throw this away?”
  너 그것좀 찌끄라뿌러야? (neo geugeotjom jjikkeurappureoya?)
• 지금 당장
  jigeum dangjang
  “Immediately”
  시방 (sibang)
• 빨리
  ppalli
  “Quickly”
  아따 싸게싸게 댕겨오쇼 (atta ssagessage daenggyeoosyo)
• 조금 (jogeum)
  “A little of”
  쪼깨 (jjokkae)

6. 제주 방언 (Jeju dialect)

제주 방언 (jeju bangeon) meaning “Jeju dialect” is only spoken on the Jeju Island. Jeju Island is located in the southwest coast of South Korea and takes about 45 minutes to travel to from Seoul by an airplane. The Jeju dialect is one of the most difficult dialects to understand in South Korea, because they have their own language. Therefore, Koreans from different regions have difficulties trying to understand Jeju dialect.

Let’s listen to 제주 방언 (Jeju bangeon): Have a listen to this conversation between these two males in this video. It’s about a miscommunication between Jeju local and non-Jeju local at a military base, and you’ll be able to distinguish who’s from Jeju instantly, by listening to the conversation.

1- Characteristics of 제주 방언 (Jeju bangeon):

If you want to know how the Jeju dialect is different from the standard language, here’s an explanation of characteristics of the Jeju dialect.

1 – Jeju dialect is perhaps the most difficult dialect in South Korea, since it has its own language
Example:

• 어서 오십시오 (eoseo osipsio) meaning “Welcome to” -> 혼저 옵서 (honjeo opseo).
• 와서 보고 가세요 (waseo bogo gaseyo) meaning “Please come and have a look” -> 왕 봥 갑서 (wang bwang gapseo)

* You will see a message saying 혼저 옵서 (honjeo opseo) on the wall when you land in the Jeju airport, so pay close attention to it next time you’re traveling to Jeju Island.

2 – They tend to combine words at the end of a sentence
In Jeju, they combine the last two words, so instead of ~었니, it becomes ~먹언.
Example:

• 밥 먹었니? Meaning “Did you have some food?” -> 밥 먹언?
• 이거 했어? -> 이거 핸?
• 알았어 -> 알안

2- Example of 제주 방언 (Jeju dialects)

Here are some examples of the Jeju dialect, compared to the standard. The Jeju examples are underlined.

• 여기서 서울에 전화할 수 있지요?
  yeogiseo seoure jeonhwahal su itjiyo?
  “Can I call Seoul from here?”
  여기서 서울더레 해집주양? (yeogiseo seouldeore haejipjuyang?)
• 어디서 오셨습니까?
  eodiseo osyeotseumnikka?
  “Where are you from?”
  어디서 옵데가? (eodiseo opdega?)
• 조금만 계십시오.
  jogeumman gyesipsio.
  “Please wait a moment.”
  호꼼만 이십서게. (hokkomman isipseoge.)
• 차를 타고 가세요.
  chareul tago gaseyo.
  “Go there by car.”
  차탕갑서 (chatanggapseo)
• 오천 원입니다.
  ocheon wonimnida.
  “It is 5,000 won.”
  오천 원마씀. (ocheon wonmasseum.)
• 어제 영화 뭐 봤어?
  “What movie did you watch?”
  제 영화 뭐 봔?

7. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Korean

Lastly, let’s compare dialects!

In summary, we had a look at six different dialects in South Korea. The fact is, South Korea has more than six dialects. What we introduced today in this article are the most famous dialects in Korea. Since you learned how to distinguish each dialect, you’ll be able to spot the different dialects next time you watch a Korean drama or movie!

In addition, KoreanClass101 has many study materials that you can download for free. Also, have you come across any Korean words that you don’t know? Look them up in the KoreanClass101 dictionary with free audio for you to practice pronunciation! We’re here to help you improve your Korean, so feel free to use our website anytime.

Whether you’re planning to teach English at a public or private school in South Korea, once you start teaching English at school, you’ll definitely notice that there are many differences between Korea and your country. You may find this article helpful if you want to know six vital Korean school rules along with the important cultural insight of each rule. Let’s have a look at Korean school rules with KoreanClass101!

1. 6 Korean School Rules that You Need to Know

1- You Don’t Go to School on Saturdays, But You are Expected to do Yaja

Students used to go to school on Saturdays; this was simply to maximize the study time. However, this law changed in 2000, meaning that students don’t go to school on Saturdays anymore in South Korea.

Although you no longer need to go to school on Saturdays, you are expected to attend 야자 (yaja). This is an abbreviation for 야간자율학습 (yaganjayulhakseup) meaning “Night self-learning” which is a self-learning program held at school. This system used to be mandatory back in the old days, however nowadays students can choose whether to do 야자 (yaja) or not. What you need to do during 야자타임 (yajataim) or “night self-learning time” is to study in a quiet classroom. You can do your 숙제 (sukje) or “homework,” or work on the areas that you need to improve on by planning your own study strategy.
Also, if your friend is good at a subject that you’re not so good at, she or he can teach you the subject during 야자타임 (yajataim) as well. If you’re in the last year of high school or middle school, you’ll most likely do 야자 (yaja) voluntarily.

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

• 야자 (yaja): “night self-learning” [Image]
• 야자타임 (yajataim): “night self-learning time”
• 숙제 (sukje): “homework”

2- You Need to Take Off Your Shoes when Entering the School

When you enter a house in South Korea, you must take off your shoes before entering the house. This principle applies to schools in South Korea as well. Once you enter the school, you must take off your shoes and wear 슬리퍼 (seullipeo) meaning “slippers” or 실내화 (sillaehwa) meaning “indoor shoes.”
신발장 (sinbaljang) or “the shoes cabinets” are placed by the entrance of the school building. This is done in order to keep the floor clean. If you forget to wear 슬리퍼 (seullipeo) or 실내화 (sillaehwa)—because you washed them at home, for example—you’ll most likely lose a few points for not abiding by the school rule.
Depending on the school, the choice of the slipper or indoor shoe design or model differs. Therefore, it’s important to wait until the school announces which model and design you need to wear. In order to ensure purchasing the right indoor shoes, you’ll need to go to 문방구 (munbanggu) or the “stationery store,” which is located right outside the school, to purchase these models.

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

• 슬리퍼 (seullipeo): “slippers” — [Image]
• 실내화 (sillaehwa): “indoor shoes” — [Image]
• 신발장 (sinbaljang): “shoes cabinet”
• 문방구 (munbanggu): “stationary store” — Synonym is 문방구점 (munbanggujeom)
• Do you want to improve your vocabulary skills? Download our free PDF Lessons.

3- Teachers and 선도부 (seondobu) will Stand at the Doorway to Check Your Uniform

Imagine every time you enter the school door, there’ll be about five to six students, and a teacher, who will look at each student from head to toe to ensure they’re wearing their uniform properly. It does sound scary, doesn’t it?

Most of the time, the teacher who does this is 체육선생님 (cheyukseonsaengnim) or a “physical education teacher” (a.k.a. the scariest teacher at school) and called 학주 (hakju), short for 학생주임 (haksaengjuim). Also, the students who are doing this are either 반장 (banjang) meaning “class president” or 부반장 (bubanjang) meaning “class vice president” from the final year of school. They are the most respected students among others because they are known as the top students and called 선도부 (seondobu) or 바른생활부 (bareunsaenghwalbu) meaning ‘leading group’ literally which is similar to a student council.

They’ll check each student for the following:

• Isn’t wearing any 악세사리 (aksesari) or “accessories,” including invisible plastic earrings
• Isn’t wearing any 화장 (hwajang) or “makeup,” including whitening sunscreen
• Is wearing hair style that’s in line with the school rules
• Length of the skirt is below knees

The rules differ depending on which school you go to; some schools may be a lot stricter than other schools, especially if you go to only girls’ or boys’ school. Also, if you neglect to follow a rule, you’ll end up losing points, which will affect your final score at the end of the semester or year. Some things that may cause you to lose points are:

• If you wear earrings, piercings, bracelets, and so on: -5 points
• If you’re not wearing your nametag: -3 points
• If you wear makeup: -5 points
• And the list could go on

This is just to give you an idea of how students lose their marks; these points differ depending on the school. You don’t want to lose marks for small things like this, so students do their best to follow the rules. During the final exams, students become extremely sensitive to their grades; therefore, sometimes a teacher will make them run the 운동장 (undongjang) or “schoolyard” a number of times for punishment, instead of making them lose points.

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

• 선배 (seonbae): “one’s senior in school; senior”
• 체육선생님 (cheyukseonsaengnim): “physical education teacher”
• 악세사리 (aksesari): “accessories”
• 화장 (hwajang): “makeup” — Synonym is 메이크업 (meikeueop)
• 반장 (banjang): “class president”
• 운동장 (undongjang): “playground”

4 – Your Height Matters when it Comes to Choosing a Seat

Depending on which city you’re from, the number of students in a class differs, ranging from 15 to 35 students. Did you know that you can’t sit anywhere you want to at any school (accept universities) in South Korea? Each student is allocated to a seat and this is done by how tall you are compared to other students. The method for doing this is that students need to line up in order of height. Then, each student will be seated in their height order. Those who are shorter end up sitting in the front row, and those who are taller end up sitting in the last row.

In addition, you’ll have a personal 출석번호 (chulseokbeonho), meaning “attendance number” literally, throughout the year and this is done by height order as well. For example, if there are 35 students in your class and you’re the shortest, then your number will be 일번 (ilbeon) meaning “number 1” and if you’re the tallest, your personal number will be 삼십오번 (samsibobeon) meaning “number 35.”

It’s important to remember your personal number because teachers call you by either your name or your personal number. For example, let’s say you’re in a 수학교실 (suhakgyosil) or “math class” and the teacher wrote down two mathematical equations to be solved by students. Today is 8월 15일 (parwol siboil) meaning “August 15th”; who will most likely go to the front and solve the questions? That’s right. The two students whose personal numbers are number 8 and 15.

Also, the teacher may order students to do something, such as cleaning or other tasks, by 짝수 (jjaksu) or “even numbers” and 홀수 (holsu) or “odd numbers” as well. Therefore, having your personal number is very important at school. Also, keep in mind that you’ll receive a different number every year.

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

• 수학 (suhak): “math”
• 교실 (gyosil): “class”
• 8월15일 (parwol siboil): “August 15th”
• 짝수 (jjaksu): “even numbers”
• 홀수 (holsu): “odd numbers”
• KoreanClass101 has a free lesson on how to calculate numbers in Korean.

5- No Dating Your Schoolmate

Teachers believe that dating in school will affect students’ study, therefore dating your schoolmate is not allowed during your studies. This may not be obvious if you attend only girls’ or boys’ high school, but if you attend co-schools, you’ll need to be extra careful not to get caught. Dating your schoolmate is a serious issue at school, resulting in 징계 (jinggye’) meaning “disciplinary punishment” or 퇴학 (toehak) meaning “expel from school.”

81% of middle and high schools don’t allow students to date anyone in South Korea. Unfortunately, dating in school is perceived as unethical behavior. Schools sometimes survey students to report students who are dating in school secretly, and they will be rewarded. Also there was a big issue in 2011, when a school surveyed the students to report same-sex dating.

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

• 학교 (hakgyo): “school”
• 연애 (yeonae): “dating”
• 징계 (jinggye): “disciplinary punishment”
• 퇴학 (toehak): “expel from school”

6- You Need Permission to go to the Bathroom and Must Take Your Own Sanitary Products

When you want to go to the 화장실 (hwajangsil) or “bathroom,” you need to ask permission from a 선생님 (seonsaengnim) or “teacher.” All you need to do is raise your hand to catch attention from the teacher and ask whether you can go to the bathroom. Unless you’re in the middle of an exam, most of the time the teachers will let you go to the bathroom.

Here’s the phrases you can use:

선생님, 화장실 가도 돼요?
Seon-saeng-nim, hwa-jang-sil gado dwae-yo?
“Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?”

Also, there’s no 휴지 (hyuji) or “toilet paper” available at school, therefore it’s your responsibility to bring your own sanitary products to South Korean schools. But don’t worry; you can easily find toilet paper in your classroom that you can use. (Yes, we use toilet paper for many purposes, such as blowing our nose or wiping dirty stuff off the desk, and so on.)

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

• 화장실 (hwajangsil): “bathroom”
• 선생님 (seonsaengnim): “teacher”
• 휴지 (hyuji): “tissue” — Synonym is 두루마리 휴지 (durumari hyuji) meaning “toilet paper”

2. Bonus Rules: An Old Rule and Additional Rules

1- Students Used to Bow to a Teacher Every Class

This rule became prohibited a few years ago, but students used to bow to a teacher in every class, before and after the class in school. Students were expected to sit and prepare a textbook and a notebook on the desks before class. Unlike some countries where students need to move from class to class for their subjects, students in South Korea have their own classroom for themselves, which means that teachers need to move around instead.

When a teacher arrived to a classroom, 반장 (banjang) or “class president” would stand and say 차렷 (charyeot) meaning “attention” loudly so everyone can hear. Then the class president will either say 인사 (insa) meaning “greet” or 경례 (gyeongnye) meaning “salute.” Then everyone has to say 선생님 안녕하십니까 (seonsaengnim annyeonghasimnikka) meaning “hello teacher” before the class, and 선생님 안녕히 가십시오 (seonsaengnim annyeonghi gasipsio) “goodbye teacher” after the class.

However, this was banned recently because people believed that this was too conservative and it doesn’t help a teacher and the students establish a good relationship.

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

• 반장 (banjang): “class president”
• 선생님 안녕하십니까 (seonsaengnim annyeonghasimnikka): “hello teacher” (honorific expression)
• 선생님 안녕히 가십시오 (seonsaengnim annyeonghi gasipsio): “goodbye teacher” (honorific expression)
• For people who want to learn -> Korean honorific expressions

2- And there are Many More Rules

There are many more rules that South Korean students need to abide by:

• You Cannot Alter the Length of a Skirt or the Width of a Pair of Pants

치마길이 (chimagiri) or “the length of skirt” has to cover half the knee; if it’s shorter than this, you’ll get in trouble. However, this really depends on the school. These days, students can alter their school uniforms to suit their body shape.

• You Must Wear what the School Tells You to

There are three ways to wear your school uniforms in South Korea. The default school uniforms are 동복 (dongbok) or “winter uniform” and 하복 (habok) “summer uniform.” In between, there’s 춘추복 (chunchubok) or “spring/autumn uniform.” Normally, each uniform has its set duration, so even though the weather becomes extremely hot, if you’re in the period of wearing 동복 (dongbok) or “winter uniform,” you have to wear the winter uniform.

• The School will Decide which Hairstyle to do

Nowadays, students are allowed to do many different hairstyles. Girls can dye their hair, curl their hair, and untie their hair. Compare this to the old times when every girl had to have short hair, which must not grow longer than 3 cm (1.2 inches) below their ears.

Boys can grow their hair longer than they could a few decades ago, when every boy had to shave their hair completely. This rule also depends on which school you go to; some conservative schools still follow the traditional way of hairstyle. 두발자유화 is something that Korean students are fighting for, as they believe that free hairstyle will allow them to express who they are, and this topic is still in debate.

Some schools still follow the traditional ways of disciplining students and this can be problematic for some students. Although the majority of Koreans have naturally black hair, there are some exceptions; there are people with natural brunette and even light brown hair, almost blond. Others have naturally curly hair. Unfortunately, those students will have to abide by the rule by straightening their hair or dying it black, although they were born this way.

Vocabulary List
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

치마길이 (chimagiri): “the length of skirt”
동복 (dongbok): “winter uniform”
하복 (habok): “summer uniform”
춘추복 (chunchubok): “spring/autumn uniform”
두발자유화 (dubaljayuhwa): “liberalization of the hair code”

3. Nevertheless, We are Getting Better!

Things have changed a lot. Students don’t go to school on Saturdays anymore, and haven’t since 2000. 야자 (yaja) used to be mandatory for everyone in middle and high school, but now students can decide whether they want to attend it or not. Students’ hairstyles were limited too, and students with brunette hair had to dye it black just because it was the school rule. But this doesn’t apply to schools anymore. There used to be school corporal punishment, but it’s prohibited now. Many school rules have been changed and there will still be more rules to be changed in the future.

4. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Korean

KoreanClass101 is here to help you learn not only the Korean language, but also Korean culture. Therefore, our study materials aren’t simply teaching you how to memorize Korean; we’re also focused on providing study materials for students to learn the language in a fun way, and most importantly, provide the most relevant cultural insights.

Also, KoreanClass101 has free study materials for you to study, whether you’re an absolute beginner or a more advanced learner. So why not make your lifetime account today and learn Korean with us?

Happy Pepero Day! By the way, what’s Pepero Day? For those who aren’t familiar with what Pepero Day is, it’s an unofficial day in South Korea that’s celebrated by exchanging boxes of Peperos.

Have you ever heard of Pepero? It’s a chocolate covered cookie stick that is long and slim. It looks similar to the letter “I” or the number 1. That’s why November 11th (11/11) is Pepero Day in South Korea. On this day, friends and couples give each other Pepero.

The Pepero is one of the most famous Korean snacks that you can buy at any supermarket or even online in South Korea. The price for one Pepero box ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 KRW. But be aware that this is a habit you can really get hooked on, as they release Pepero special editions from time to time, meaning you can’t miss out on new Peperos!

1. Origins: What is Pepero Day?

빼빼로 데이 (ppaeppaero dei) or “Pepero Day” originated back in the 1980s among school girls in Busan. The company that sells Pepero in South Korea—Lotte Confectionery—noticed that their sales increased significantly every November 11 in this area. Therefore, the company started investigating, and they learned that students from this region exchanged a box of Peperos as a wish to stay thin while teasing each other to 살 좀 빼자 (sal jom ppaeja), meaning, “Let’s lose some weight” in English.

The marketing team took this idea and started promoting Pepero day, and it became extremely well-known after 1996. However, no one really knows whether this is a true story or not, as there are many stories about the origin of Pepero Day.

Nevertheless, Pepero Day has become one of the most important days in South Korea, and it’s celebrated on November 11 every year. This is probably because Pepero is such a well-loved Korean snack (how could it not be?).

▶ Let’s Practice Korean about Pepero:
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

11월 11일은 ‘빼빼로데이’ 입니다.
(sibirwolwol sibirileun ‘ppyaeppaerodei’ imnida.)
“11th of November is ‘Pepero Day’.”

이 날은 사람들이 빼빼로를 삽니다.
(i nareun saramdeuri ppaeppaeroreul saseo.)
“People buy Pepero on this day.”

빼빼로데이는 감사를 전하고 싶은 사람들에게 나눠주는 날입니다.
(gamsareul jeonhago sipeun saramdeurege nanwojuneun narimnida.)
“Pepero day is a day to show your appreciation to the people.”

빼빼로 데이에 사람들은 빼빼로를 선물로 줍니다.
(ppaeppaero deie saramdeureun ppaeppaeroreul seonmullo jumnida.)
“On Pepero Day, people give Pepero as a present to the other people and eat it.”

빼빼로 데이에는 상점 밖에서 빼빼로를 파는 곳이 많이 있습니다.
(ppaeppaero deieneun sangjeom bakkeseo ppaeppaeroreul paneun gosi mani itsseumnida.)
“There are lot of places selling Pepero outside the shop on Pepero Day.”

2. Modern Pepero Day: What to do on Pepero Day

Pepero Day is supposed to be fun and is a great opportunity to show your appreciation to people you care about. It can be your friends, family, boyfriend or girlfriend, spouse, or even your colleagues and your boss. It’s literally just a day to share your appreciation with those around you, while having a good time in sharing a box of Pepero with those around you.

Pepero Day is practiced a few different ways, depending on age groups.

Children (elementary school) give and receive Pepero to their friends, teachers, and family members. Just as children do on Valentines Day, children give and receive Pepero just for the sake of exchanging sweets.

However, for those a little older (and for those with a bit more courage), Pepero Day is a day in which Pepero is given to girlfriends and boyfriends. It is also a day in which many people (typically teenagers) tend to confess their love to someone. The similarities between Pepero Day and Valentine’s Day are quite numerous. But the difference between the two is that instead of exchanging chocolates, people exchange Pepero. Also, Valentine’s Day is observed by people of all ages, whereas Pepero Day is mostly observed by younger people.

Because this is a highly commercialized day in Korea, many stores sell Pepero and other cheaper brands of the same type of cookie in bulk. There are large displays of Pepero and similar snacks at supermarkets on the days leading up to Pepero Day. Other venues try to cash in on this day as well. As an example: bakeries will sell long loaves of bread covered in chocolate (something that resembles a stick of Pepero). Other places will make elaborate packages filled with various types of Pepero, which can get quite expensive.

All you need to do is go to a supermarket in your area and buy boxes of Peperos. Then you can simply give it to a friend or write a short message to show your appreciation. Don’t have paper you can use? Don’t worry; there’s a small space (normally an image of a letter is printed on top of the box) for you to write a short message in.

Also, on this special day, you can’t miss out on Lotte’s special promotion. There will be a variety of Pepero flavors and packaging, which will be discussed in detail in the “Trend: Variety of Pepero Flavors in South Korea” section below. On this special day, don’t miss out on getting a variety of Pepero. It’s the only day that you’ll get to see so many different kinds of Pepero.

Keep in mind that you can purchase Pepero in-store from several supermarkets, or even buy Pepero online!

▶ Let’s Practice Korean about Pepero:
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

빼빼로는 친구, 가족, 남자친구 아니면 여자친구, 부부, 그리고 직장동료와 매니저에게도 줄 수 있습니다.
(ppaeppaeroneun chingu, gajok, namjachingu animyeon yeojachingu, bubu, geurigo jikjangdongnyowa maenijeoegedo jul su itseumnida.)
“You can give a Pepero to your friends, family, boyfriend or girlfriend, spouse, and even to your colleagues and your boss.”

빼빼로 상자 위에 감사의 편지를 쓸 수 있습니다.
(ppaeppaero sangja wie gamsaui pyeonjireul sseul su itseumnida.)
“You can write a ‘Thank you’ letter on top of a Pepero box.”

사랑을 고백하고 싶으면 빼빼로를 주세요.
(sarangeul gobaekago sipeumyeon ppaeppaeroreul juseyo.)
“If you want to confess your love, give Pepero.”

빼빼로 데이에는 많은 사람들이 빼빼로를 주고 받습니다.
(ppaeppaero deieneun maneun saramdeuri ppaeppaeroreul jugo batsseumnida.)
“A lot of people exchange Pepero on Pepero Day.”

3. Trend: Different Flavors of Pepero in South Korea

Now, let’s have a look at different Peperos flavors—you’ll be amazed how many different kinds of Pepero flavors are available in South Korea. They usually come in two sizes: thin Pepero or big Pepero. If you’re not familiar with any of these Pepero flavors, click on the link to check out pictures of that Pepero.

1 – 초코 빼빼로 (choko ppaeppaero) — Original Chocolate Pepero

This is the classic Pepero which was introduced in the April of 1983 and this is the symbol of Pepero as we know it today.

2 – 아몬드 빼빼로 (amondeu ppaeppaero) — Almond Pepero

This was released on of March 26, 1984. People who love almond buy this. However, one downside about this Pepero is that there are only nine sticks inside the package (talk about a bummer!). Nevertheless, this Almond Pepero is loved by many almond and chocolate lovers.

3 – 코코넛 빼빼로 (kokoneot ppaeppaero) — Chocolate Coconut Pepero

Similar to the Almond Pepero, this Pepero is covered in coconut chips. It’s loved by many coconut lovers in South Korea.

4 – 땅콩 빼빼로 (ttangkong ppaeppaero) — Peanut Pepero

This is the Pepero that’s known for, of course, being covered in peanuts. Although this was released in 1996, Lotte does not produce Peanut Pepero anymore.

5 – 누드 빼빼로 (nudeu ppaeppaero) — Nude Pepero

The classical Pepero is a cookie stick dipped in chocolate—the Nude Pepero is the reverse version, where the chocolate is inside and the cookie outside.

6 – 더블딥 초코 화이트 빼빼로 (deobeuldip choko hwaiteu ppaeppaero) — Double Dip Choco White Pepero

This one’s a Pepero that’s dipped in a mix of Kakao cream and whipped cream; it was introduced in 2000. Fun fact: Unlike other rectangular Pepero boxes, this Pepero is in a square box.

7 – 다크 빼빼로 (dakeu ppaeppaero) — Dark Pepero

For dark chocolate lovers. The cookie stick on this Pepero flavor is even darker than it is on others.

8 – 바닐라 블랙 쿠키 빼빼로 (banilla beullaek kuki ppaeppaero) — Vanilla Black Cookie Pepero

This flavor is composed of Pepero sticks dipped in white chocolate and covered with cookie pieces.

9 – 스키니 빼빼로 (seukini ppaeppaero) — Skinny Pepero

This is a “skinny” version of the classic chocolate Pepero. This was introduced in 2013.

10 – 더블딥 딸기 빼빼로 (deobeuldip ttalgi ppaeppaero) — Double Dip Strawberry Pepero

The length of this Pepero is shorter and wider than the original Pepero, and it’s dipped in strawberry-flavored cream.

11 – 초코쿠키 빼빼로 (chokokuki ppaeppaero) — Choco Cookie Pepero

This was introduced in 2015. The Pepero stick is covered with cookie.

12 – 블루베리 요거트 빼빼로 (beulluberi yogeoteu ppaeppaero) — Blueberry Yogurt Pepero

This was introduced in 2015 as well. Unfortunately, beginning in 2017, Lotte doesn’t produce this flavor anymore.

13 – 누드 녹차 빼빼로 (nudeu nokcha ppaeppaero) — Nude Green Tea Pepero

Favored by women in general, this Nude Green Tea Pepero was introduced to the market in 2016.

14 – 더블딥 카페라떼 빼빼로 (deobeuldip kaperatte ppaeppaero) — Double Dip Cafe Latte Pepero

The length is shorter and wider than the original Pepero. It goes well with a cup of coffee.

15 – 더블딥 요거트 빼빼로 (deobeuldip yogeoteu ppaeppaero) — Double Dip Yogurt Pepero

The length is shorter and wider than the original Pepero. It tastes like you’re eating some sweet white yogurt with cookies.

16 – 스키니 카카오 빼빼로 (seukini kakao ppaeppaero) — Skinny Cacao Pepero

This is a “skinny” Pepero version of Skinny Cacao Pepero mentioned above.

17 – 누드 치즈 빼빼로 (nudeu chijeu ppaeppaero) — Nude Cheese Pepero

18 – 카카오닙스 빼빼로 (kakaonipseu ppaeppaero) — Cacao Nibs Pepero

19 – 딸기 빼빼로 (ttalgi ppaeppaero) — Strawberry Pepero

20 – 불고기 빼빼로 (bulgogi ppaeppaero) — Bulgogi Pepero

We’re sure you want to buy this one out of curiosity, but unfortunately South Korea stopped selling this flavor in 1997.

21 – 티라미스 치즈 빼빼로 (tiramiseu chijeu ppaeppaero) — Tiramisu Cheese Pepero

22 – 화이트 쿠키 빼빼로 (hwaiteu kuki ppaeppaero) — Pepero White Cookie

This flavor is basically a mixture of cookies and cream.

And the list goes on… It seems that Lotte introduces new Peperos flavors every year, so keep an eye out for them on November 11! But what’s the best Pepero flavor? Well, that’s for you to decide, so try as many as you’d like.

▶ Let’s Practice Korean about Pepero:
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

빼빼로데이에는 여러 종류의 빼빼로를 맛 볼 수 있습니다.
(ppaeppaero deieneun yeoreo jongnyuui ppaeppaeroreul mat bol su itseumnida.)
“You can taste different kinds of Peperos on Pepero day.”

상대가 좋아하는 빼빼로를 사서 선물해 보세요.
(sangdaega joahaneun ppaeppaeroreul saseo seonmulhaeboseyo.)
“Try to buy Pepero flavor that your partner likes and give it to him/her.”

빼빼로 데이에 가장 인기있는 빼빼로는 초콜릿 맛 빼빼로입니다.
(ppaeppaero deie gajang ingiinneun ppaeppaeroneun chokollit mat ppaeppaeroimnida.)
“The most popular Pepero on Pepero Day is the chocolate flavored Pepero.”

4. Pepero Day Ideas: Different Ways to Celebrate the Day

On Pepero Day, you don’t have to buy Pepero; you can create your own tradition or even make your own Pepero for the special people in your life. Let’s have a look at a few different ways that Koreans celebrate Pepero Day.

1- Are You in a Relationship? Make DIY Pepero

DIY (Do It Yourself) Pepero is very popular among women, especially those who are in a relationship. If you’re not much of a cook, it may seem time-consuming and challenging. But fortunately, you can easily purchase DIY Pepero kits online and get them delivered to your house; there are also many shops where you can purchase the tools and Pepero ingredients you need to make Pepero.

Be creative and make your own Pepero to impress your boyfriend and your father while showing them your appreciation. Here’s an article to give you an idea of how Koreans make Peperos. It even comes with a Pepero recipe inside.

If you’re not a fan of cooking on a special day, there are many gift packages that you can choose from as well, such as the Pepero big box (Peperos packed in an over-sized Pepero box).

▶ Let’s Practice Korean about DIY Pepero:
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

많은 여성 분들이 빼빼로를 직접 만들어 선물합니다.
(maneun yeoseong bundeuri ppaeppaeroreul jikjeop mandeureo seonmulhamnida.)
“Many women make their own Pepero and give it out as gifts.”

빼빼로데이는 사랑을 고백하는 날입니다.
(ppaeppaero deineun sarangeul gobaekaneun narimnida.)
“Pepero Day is the day that you confess your love.”

2- Not a Fan of Pepero? Pepero with Rolled Up Cash

Not everyone is a fan of Pepero. For example, if you know someone who’s very health-conscious, then it could be a challenge for you determining what to give as a gift to them on Pepero Day.

Recently, a new Pepero Day gift idea developed a few years ago, and has become extremely popular. Instead of Pepero, you roll up cash to resemble a stick, and put these rolls in a rectangular box. It’s called 돈 빼빼로 (donppaeppaero), literal translation being “Money Pepero.”

This may be an expensive gift, but the person who receives it will absolutely love it (we promise!). Popular cash Pepero receivers are parents or other family members. Do you want to know how to make it? Click here for a DIY blog post.

▶ Let’s Practice Korean about paper with rolled up cash:
※ Click on a word to practice your pronunciation.

빼빼로 대신 돈을 주는 사람도 있습니다.
(ppaeppaero daesin doneul juneun saramdo itseumnida.)
“There are people who give money instead of Pepero.”

부모님이 좋아할 선물일 수도 있겠습니다.
(bumonimi joahal seonmuril sudo itgetseumnida.)
“It may be a great gift for the parents.”

3- Appreciate the Tradition? Let’s Celebrate “Garaetteok Day”

On November 11, we celebrate 가래떡 데이 (garaetteok dei), literal translation being “Korean Rice Cake Day.” Instead of Pepero, you pass out long cylindrical rice cakes to people. 가래떡 데이 (garaetteok dei) is 농업인의 날 (nongeobinui nal), literal translation being “Farmer’s Day” in South Korea. 가래떡 is made of steamed rice flour and it’s seen in many dishes, such as 떡꼬치 (Tteokkkochi) or “Spicy Fried Korean Rice Cake Sticks,” 떡국 (tteokguk) or “sliced rice cake soup,” 떡볶이 (Tteok-bokki) or “stir-fried rice cakes,” and so on. It’s a great way to appreciate the tradition and celebrate Farmer’s Day on November 11.

▶ Let’s Practice Korean about Garaetteok Day:

11월 11일은 농업인의 날입니다.
(sibirwolwol sibirileun nongeobinui narimnida.)
“It is ‘Farmer’s Day’ on November 11.”

이날은 가래떡을 사람들에게 나눠주는 날입니다.
(inareun garaetteogeul saramdeurege nanwojuneun narimnida.)
“On this day, people give out Korean rice cakes.”

4- Love Playing Games? Try Pepero Games

You can play a Pepero game with Pepero sticks in South Korea. Do you want to know how to play this? It’s very simple.

Think of the spaghetti scene from Lady and the Tramp. The Pepero game is very similar to this. It’s called the “Pepero kiss game” where two people need to eat a Pepero together to make the shortest possible leftover in the middle. To win, you need to make sure to have the shortest Pepero stick possible, compare to other groups. Still not sure how to play this game? Watch this EXO Pepero kiss game.

Speaking of EXO, there used to be Pepero EXO Limited Edition in South Korea, and fans could collect the EXO Pepero box set along with a photocard of each member.

5. How to Say “Happy Pepero Day” in Korean

Here are a number of Pepero Day quotes in Korean. You can write these messages and give a box of Pepero to your acquaintances.

빼빼로데이 축하해요!
(ppaeppaerodei chukahaeyo!)
“Happy Pepero Day!”

맛있는 빼빼로 먹고 행복 가득한 하루보내세요.
(masinneun ppaeppaero meokgo haengbok gadeukan harubonaeseyo.)
“Please eat these delicious Pepero and have a day full of happiness.”

빼빼로 처럼 길~게 사랑하자!
(ppaeppaero cheoreom gil~ge saranghaja!)
“Let’s be together for a long time like these Pepero sticks.”

6. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You

Pepero Day is one of the most popular days in South Korea, so we’re glad to introduce Pepero Day in detail in this blog post. We hope you found this article interesting, and if you want to learn essential vocabulary about Pepero, KoreanClass101 has the “Korean Vocabulary List – Pepero Day” available for free. We also have a number of Korean lessons based on Pepero Day, so feel free to check them out on our website as well.

Lastly, what’s your favorite Pepero flavor? Leave a comment below!

When you go shopping in Myeongdong, Dongdaemoon, or other areas, you will be overwhelmed by the many Korean cosmetic brands that offer unique products that you don’t often see in other countries. One of the benefits of purchasing Korean cosmetics in South Korea is that people are able to find many alternatives to high-demand cosmetics, products that function similarly but also cost a lot less, therefore you can easily stock up your makeup box!

This blog will include Korean makeup trends and famous Korean beauty YouTubers that will teach you some tips about Korean makeup styles, tips on how to know when the shops have sales, and useful Korean vocabulary and phrases that you can instantly use when you go shopping in Korea.

1. Korean Cosmetic Brands and Trends in South Korea

Korean cosmetics were not popular a decade ago, however when BB cream was introduced worldwide, people started to be interested in Korean beauty products and they became popular. In 2018, the French cosmetic brand L`Oreal acquired one of the most popular Korean cosmetic brands called, 3CE (Stylenanda).

Korean cosmetics are loved by many because they offer unique colors that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. These pigments, preferred in Korea, are suitable for everyday looks. Also, if you have tried some Korean cosmetics before, you have noticed that Korean beauty products such as lipsticks and eyeshadows are a lot more subtle and less pigmented than cosmetics from Western countries.

1- Korean Makeup Trends

There are many YouTube videos that compare makeup styles between Korea and America, or Korea and other countries. If you have watched them before, you probably know that Koreans prefer to have clean and flawless skin and go for natural looks.

• Skin: In order to achieve a natural look, they apply foundation one or two tones lighter than their natural skin color.
• Eyebrows: They prefer to have straight and thick eyebrows, in order to achieve a youthful look.
• Eyeshadow: Very subtle and light pigmented eyeshadows are usually used.
• Lips: Many Korean women wear vibrant red glossy lipstick and you will be amazed at how many different shades of red lipsticks there are in Korea! You can visit popular cosmetic stores such as Etude House, Missha, Skinfood and so on to have a look at different shades of red lipsticks!

That being said, not all Koreans wear the same makeup style; celebrities with tanned skin and vivid makeup appear more often than before (eg. Jessie, Nada, Hwasa, Hyorin and so on).

2- Popular Korean Beauty YouTubers

If you want to learn more about Korean makeup, there are many famous YouTubers who offer free makeup tutorials so you will be able to learn about Korean beauty brands, cosmetic products and many beauty techniques that Koreans use daily. Famous Korean Youtubers include:

• 정샘물 (Jeongsaemmul) = “Jung Saem Mool”
• 포니 신드롬 (poni sindeurom) = “PONY Syndrome”
• 라뮤끄 (ramyukkeu) = “Lamuqe”
• 다또아 (dattoa) = “Daddoa”

3- Popular Korean Cosmetic Brands

Here are a number of Korean cosmetic brands:

4- Useful Korean Vocabulary for Cosmetics

• BB 크림 (BB keurim) = “BB cream”
• 파운데이션 (paundeisyeon) = “foundation”
• 눈 화장 (nun hwajang) = “eyeshadow”
• 워터 프루프 (Woteo peurupeu) = “waterproof”
• 블러셔 (Beulleosyeo) = “blush”
• 아이라이너 (airaineo) = “eyeliner”
• 아이브로우 펜슬 (aibeurou penseul) = “eyebrow pencil”
• 립스틱 (ripseutik) = “lipstick”
• 아이섀도 (aisyaedo) = “eyeshadow”
• 컨투어 (keontueo) = “contour”

Planning to go shopping in Myeongdong?
Click here to learn useful Korean phrases

2. How Koreans Use Their Skin Products

In Korea, applying skin lotion after washing isn’t enough. In fact, if you tell Koreans that you only apply lotion, they will be shocked. Usually a skin care routine starts from applying toners, eye cream, essences, serums or ampoules, then day or night cream. And it’s important to do facial masks at least 2-3 times a week in order to keep your skin flawless.

When you go shopping in Korea, you can easily get the products as a set and the staff will be more than happy to explain to you what they are for and the steps you need to follow.

1- The Secrets of Korean Skin Care

Here are some secrets of how Koreans keep their skin always beautiful:

1. Try to use an ice-cube to massage your face when you watch TV, this is one of the popular beauty tricks that Koreans do.
2. Rubbing ice cubes on your face helps you to achieve that beautiful radiant glow. If you have time in the morning, try to use an ice cube to reduce swelling.
3. A cream 황토마스크 (hwangtomaseukeu) “red clay mask” is a very popular facial mask in Korea. Unfortunately, this is difficult to find in stores, so you might need some help from local friends to find decent 황토마스크.

2- Popular Ingredients for Skin Care Products

Other popular ingredients for skin care products in Korea are:

• 피그 콜라겐 (pigeu kollagen) = “pig collagen”
• 치즈 크림 (chijeukeurim) = “cheese cream”
• 연어 크림 (yeoneokeurim) = “salmon cream”
• 달팽이 크림 (dalpaengikeurim) = “snail cream”
• 홍삼 화장품 (hongsam hwajangpum) = “red ginseng cosmetic”
• 젤리 크림 (jelli keurim) = “jelly cream”

There are products that even use gold. Each product with unique active ingredients in Korean beauty products has a different smell and texture, so have fun trying them and don’t be scared to give it a try!

3- Useful Korean Vocabulary for Skin Care Products

• 마스크팩 (maseukeupaek) = “facial mask”
• 스킨 (seukin) = “skin product”
• 로션 (rosyeon) = “lotion”
• 아이크림 (aikeurim) = eye cream
• 립밤 (ripbam) = “lip balm”
• 나이트 크림 (naiteu keurim) = “night cream”
• 데이크림 (deikeurim) = “day cream”
• 선크림 (seonkeurim) = “sunscreen”

Want to master Korean pronunciation? Learn the sounds that don’t exist in English!
Click here to access the ‘Ultimate Korean Pronunciation Guide”!

3. How to Purchase Korean Beauty Products for Cheap

As mentioned above, if you cannot afford to buy high-end cosmetics, why not replace them with Korean cosmetic products? There are so many decent Korean beauty products that provide the similar effects and cost less than half the price of expensive beauty products. There are many ways that you can purchase Korean cosmetics at a cheap price and here are some tips to remember:

1- Check Brand Websites for Upcoming Events

Do you want to buy a cosmetic? Before purchasing it right away, try to visit the website of the brand to see if you can get more discounts or receive freebies. The website often provides upcoming sale events such as 1+1 event, 50% discount coupon, freebies and so on. Also, often Korean cosmetic brands release limited edition items that you can only purchase online. So check out their websites occasionally!

2- Request Free Samples

When you buy a number of beauty products in Korea, you will also receive many free samples to try at home. If you are at a Korean cosmetic store and want to try some products before purchasing them, simply request free samples from the staff. If you do not request them specifically, they will give you samples randomly. So if there are any particular products that you want, request them! Most of the time you will be able to get many different samples for different products. The good news is, they will give you more than enough for you to use them for a few weeks! You will be surprised how many free things you receive after purchasing cosmetics or skin products in Korea. Most likely you will receive a cosmetic pouch or shopping bag depending on the promotion that the company is doing.

3- Register for a Membership Card (Only Korean Residents Can Do This)

This may not apply to tourists, but if you are currently living in Korea, try to sign up for a membership at your favorite Korean cosmetic stores. You can sign up as you purchase the products at the counter and most of the time, you will receive instant 5 to 10% discounts. You’ll also get points which can be used just like money.

Depending on the store, the registration process differs, as some stores may require you to give personal information such as your address and birthday, but most of the time the process is very easy, as you just need to give them your mobile number.

4- Useful Korean Vocabularies and Phrases

• 세일 기간 (seil gigan) = “sale period”
• 할인 상품 (Harin sangpum) = “discount products”
• 교환/반품불가(Gyohwan/banpumbulga) = “exchange/refund not allowed”
• 샘플 많이 주세요. (Saempeul mani juseyo) = “Please give me many samples.”
• 세일 중인 상품은 어디에 있나요? (Seil jungin sangpumeun eodie innayo?) = “Where are the products that are on sale?”
• ~ 있어요? ( ~ isseoyo?) = “Do you have ~?”
• ~ 주세요. (~ juseyo) = “Please give me ~.”
• ~을(를) 찾고 있어요. (~eul(reul) chatgo isseoyo) = “I am looking for ~.”
• 이것은 어떻게 사용하나요? (Igeoseun eotteoke sayonghanayo?) = “How do I use this?”
• 어디에 바르는 화장품인가요? ( Eodie bareuneun hwajangpumingayo?) = “Where do I apply this cosmetic?”
• 텍스프리 가맹점 (Tekseupeuri gamaengjeom) = “tax free affiliated store”
• 택스 리펀드 (taekseu ripeondeu) = “tax refund”

Do you want to learn more Korean vocabulary for shopping?
Click here to check out our free vocabulary lists!

4. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You Learn more Korean

To sum up, we had a look at popular makeup trends, interesting facts about skin care products in Korea, and we also introduced tips on how to purchase your favorite Korean beauty products for a cheap price. Now, you are ready to go shopping in Korea!

But if you want to buy things in Korea, it’s important to learn some basic Korean phrases. Check out Common Ways to Say Hello and Top 10 Travel Spots in South Korea from KoreanClass101, for free!

If you want to learn even more Korean, sign up for KoreanClass101 today to access free study materials! If you are serious about learning Korean, you can sign up for Premium PLUS which allows you to study personalised lessons anytime, anywhere at your convenience. Why not give it a try today?

Good luck with studying Korean and I hope you have a great day!