목욕탕
mogyoktang[mo̞ɡjok̚tʰa̠ŋ]
The English word 'bathhouse' is 목욕탕 (mogyoktang) in Korean.
목욕탕 refers to a building with baths for communal use. It is the term typically used for smaller, traditional neighborhood bathhouses.
Meaning: building with baths for communal use (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 목욕탕 refers to a traditional public bathhouse, the word 사우나 (sauna) is often used to refer specifically to the dry or steam sauna facilities within a larger spa or bath complex.
How do you pronounce it?
mogyoktang
Did you know?
- In a 목욕탕, the practice of removing 때 is so central that specialized professionals known as 세신사 (sesinsa) are employed specifically to scrub the dead skin off your body.
- In traditional 목욕탕 culture, it is customary to drink a bottle of chilled banana-flavored milk after a hot soak.
- While 목욕탕 implies a public bath, many Koreans prefer to visit a 찜질방 (jjimjilbang), which is a much larger, 24-hour Korean-style spa that functions like a social lounge and sleeping quarters.
Examples in context
- 저는 오늘 목욕탕에 가려고 해요.I'm planning to go to the bathhouse today.
- 집 근처에 목욕탕이 있어요.jip geuncheoe mokyoktang-i isseoyo.There is a bathhouse near my house.
- 이 목욕탕은 아주 깨끗해요.i mokyoktang-eun aju kkaekkeuthaeyo.This bathhouse is very clean.
- 어제 친구와 목욕탕에 갔어요.eoje ching-uwa mokyoktang-e gasseoyo.I went to a bathhouse with a friend yesterday.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are talking about their weekend plans.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 주말에 뭐 해요?Hyunwoo ssi, jumare mwo haeyo?Hyunwoo, what are you doing this weekend?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo친구랑 목욕탕에 가려고요.chingurang mokyoktang-e garyeogoyo.I'm planning to go to the bathhouse with a friend.
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋은 생각이에요.joeun saenggak-ieyo.That's a great idea.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨도 같이 갈래요?Seoyeon ssi-do gachi gallaeyo?Do you want to come along, Seoyeon?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bathhouse” translations and entries 목욕탕, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
