자전거
jajeon'geo[t͡ɕa̠d͡ʑʌ̹nɡʌ̹]
The English word 'bicycle' is 자전거 (jajeon'geo) in Korean.
자전거 is a noun referring to the vehicle. If you want to refer specifically to the activity of bicycle riding, you use the phrase 자전거 타기.
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, the form of the word changes based on its grammatical role in a sentence. If the bicycle is the subject, such as when describing its qualities, you add the subject marker to get 자전거가. If the bicycle is the direct object of a verb like 'to ride' or 'to buy', you add the object marker to get 자전거를.
How do you pronounce it?
jajeon'geo
Did you know?
- The word 자전거 was borrowed from the Japanese word jitensha, which was originally coined in 1870 to describe a tricycle design.
- The verb 타다 used in 자전거 타기 is the same word used for riding a horse, a bus or even taking a shower.
- In Korea, the 'Ttareungyi' system is a famous public bicycle sharing program in Seoul where the bikes are given a friendly, personified name.
Examples in context
- 너 왜 자전거 안 사?Why don't you buy a bicycle?This sentence shows how to ask about buying 자전거.Tatoeba #12964985 by Uwe, translation #7989229 by CK
- 그는 자전거가 하나도 없다.He didn't have any bicycle.This sentence demonstrates using the subject marker with 자전거.Tatoeba #3675018 by ssuss32, translation #3954008 by KoreanBeaver
- 나는 이 자전거를 공짜로 얻었다.I got this bicycle for free.This sentence shows how to use the object marker with 자전거.Tatoeba #11106101 by intertime, translation #490037 by CK
- 제가 새 자전거를 샀어요.I bought a new bicycle.
- 내 자전거가 고장났어.My bicycle is broken.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyunwoo are talking about their commute.
- 지은 Ji-eun자전거로 출근해요?jajeongeoro chulgeunhaeyo?Do you go to work by bicycle?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 자전거가 정말 편해요.ne, jajeongeoga jeongmal pyeonhaeyo.Yes, the bicycle is really convenient.
- 지은 Ji-eun저도 자전거를 배우고 싶어요.jeodo jajeongeoreul baeugo sipeoyo.I want to learn how to ride a bicycle too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo제가 나중에 가르쳐 줄게요.jega najunge gareuchyeo julgeyo.I will teach you later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bicycle” translations and entries 자전거, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 자전거, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
