가을
ga'eul[ka̠ɯɭ]
The English word autumn is translated into Korean as 가을 (ga'eul). Wiktionary also lists 추계 (chugye).
Meaning: season (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 가을 | ga'eul | [ka̠ɯɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 추계 | chugye | [t͡ɕʰuɡje̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕʰuɡe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
가을 is the standard noun used to refer to the autumn season in all general contexts.
Which one should you use?
While 추계 is used for formal events (like a 'fall seminar'), 가을 is the standard, everyday word used in conversation and general writing.
How do you pronounce it?
ga'eul
Did you know?
- The Middle Korean form of 가을, recorded in 1459 as ᄀᆞᅀᆞᆶ, suggests the word may be linked to the action of 'cutting' or 'severing', likely referring to the harvesting of crops.
- Korean culture associates 가을 with 'the season of reading' and 'the season of loneliness'. These poetic associations make the word a common motif in Korean literature and music.
Examples in context
- 나는 가을보다 봄이 좋아.I prefer spring to autumn.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for one season over another using 가을.Tatoeba #5383179 by rainbow4us, translation #258495 by CK
- 가을이 왔어요.Autumn is here.This sentence is useful for announcing that the season has arrived using 가을.Tatoeba #5383176 by rainbow4us, translation #266339 by CK
- 가을이 제일 좋아.I like autumn most.This sentence is useful for expressing that autumn is your favorite season using 가을.Tatoeba #5383178 by rainbow4us, translation #251229 by Dejo
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the weather while walking in a park.
- 수빈 Su-bin가을은 정말 시원하네요.gaeul-eun jeongmal siwonhaneyo.Autumn is really cool.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요, 바람이 아주 좋아요.majayo, barami aju joayo.That's right, the breeze is very nice.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨는 가을을 좋아해요?Jihoon ssi-neun gaeul-eul joahaeyo?Jihoon, do you like autumn?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 저는 가을이 참 좋아요.ne, jeoneun gaeul-i cham joayo.Yes, I like autumn very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “autumn” translations and entries 가을, 추계, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가을, 추계, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
