차
cha[t͡ɕʰa̠]
The English word 'car' is translated into Korean as 차 (cha) or 자동차.
Meaning: automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 차 | cha | [t͡ɕʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 자동차 | jadongcha | [t͡ɕa̠do̞ŋt͡ɕʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to an automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 자동차 is a compound word where 자 means 'self', 동 means 'move' and 차 means 'vehicle' or 'car'.
Which one should you use?
차 is the common, everyday word for 'car', whereas 자동차 is a more formal or technical term for 'automobile'.
How do you pronounce it?
cha
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that 차 is a homonym that can also mean 'tea' depending on the context.
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is a common custom to use the 'honorific' form of the word when referring to a superior's car to show respect.
- The word 자동차 is an orthographic borrowing from the Japanese word jidōsha, reflecting the heavy influence of Japanese technical terminology on early modern Korean.
- The word 차 is a homonym for several different Sino-Korean words, including those that mean 'difference' or 'error'.
Examples in context
- 네 차키 어디 있어?Where are your car keys?This sentence is useful for locating car keys using the form 차.Tatoeba #11105953 by intertime, translation #1886639 by CK
- 너 차에 치인 적 있어?Have you ever been hit by a car?This sentence is useful for discussing being hit by a car using the form 차.Tatoeba #8362306 by Eunhee, translation #6138524 by Krzysztof92
- 왜 자동차를 갖고 싶어?Why do you want a car?This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for a car using the form 자동차.Tatoeba #8395793 by Eunhee, translation #7453444 by CK
- 저는 자동차를 운전합니다.I drive a car.
- 차를 어떻게 운전해?How do you drive a car?
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are talking about transportation in the city.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 차가 있어요?Jieun ssi, cha-ga isseoyo?Jieun, do you have a car?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니요, 저는 차가 없어요.Aniyo, jeoneun cha-ga eopseoyo.No, I don't have a car.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 주로 어떻게 다녀요?Geureom juro eotteoke danyeoyo?Then how do you usually get around?
- 지은 Ji-eun주로 버스를 타고 다녀요.Juro beoseu-reul tago danyeoyo.I usually take the bus.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations and entries 차, 자동차, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 자동차, 차, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
