자전거
jajeon'geo[t͡ɕa̠d͡ʑʌ̹nɡʌ̹]
The Korean word for "bike" is 자전거 (jajeon'geo).
자전거 refers specifically to a bicycle. It is not used to refer to a motorcycle.
Meaning: bicycle (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "to ride a bike", you use the verb 타다 (to ride) with the object marker 를, forming the phrase 자전거를 타다.
How do you pronounce it?
jajeon'geo
When do people say it?
In South Korea, the colloquial term 따릉이 is used to refer to shared bicycles or bike-sharing systems.
Did you know?
- The word 자전거 was originally coined in Japan in 1870 to describe a patented tricycle design before it became the general term for bicycles.
- The name 따릉이 is an onomatopoeia that mimics the sound of a bicycle bell ringing.
- Korean distinguishes between the act of 'riding' a bike 타다 and 'driving' a motorized vehicle 운전하다, meaning you cannot 'drive' a 자전거.
Examples in context
- 톰은 자전거를 타는 방법을 배우고 싶어한다.Tom wants to learn how to ride a bike.This sentence shows how to use 자전거 to express the desire to learn how to ride a bike.Tatoeba #13148724 by SN_H, translation #7324658 by Hybrid
- 제 친구는 자전거를 사려고 해요.My friend is considering buying a bicycle.
- 집에서 학교까지 따릉이로 가자!Let's go from home to school by bike!
- 공원에서 자전거를 타고 싶어요.gong-won-eseo jajeon-geul tago sipeoyo.I want to ride a bike in the park.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are talking about their weekend plans.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 내일 자전거 탈래요?Minjun ssi, naeil jajeongo talleyo?Minjun, do you want to ride a bike tomorrow?
- 민준 Min-jun좋아요. 자전거가 있어요?johayo. jajeongeoga isseoyo?Sounds good. Do you have a bike?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 두 대 있어요.ne, du dae isseoyo.Yes, I have two.
- 민준 Min-jun다행이네요. 내일 봐요!dahaeng-ineyo. naeil bwayo!That's a relief. See you tomorrow!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bike” 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.
