크리스마스
Keuriseumaseu[kxɯɾisʰɯma̠sʰɯ]
Christmas in Korean is 크리스마스 (Keuriseumaseu). Wiktionary also lists 성탄절 (Seongtanjeol).
Meaning: festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ which in Western Christianity is celebrated on December 25 in most places (name)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 크리스마스 | Keuriseumaseu | [kxɯɾisʰɯma̠sʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 성탄절 | Seongtanjeol | [ˈsʰɘ(ː)ŋtʰa̠ɲd͡ʑʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to the festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. You can use 크리스마스 트리 to refer to a Christmas tree.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term 성탄절 is composed of 성 (holy), 탄 (birth) and 절 (holiday/festival).
Which one should you use?
성탄절 is a more formal or religious term that literally means 'Holy Birth Day'.
How do you pronounce it?
Keuriseumaseu
Did you know?
- In South Korea, 크리스마스 is often viewed more as a romantic holiday for couples than a family gathering. It is very common for partners to spend the entire day together and exchange gifts, similar to Valentine's Day.
- The word 성탄절 is a Sino-Korean word based on Chinese characters. This means it shares the same root characters as the words for 'Christmas' in Japanese and Chinese.
- South Korea has one of the highest concentrations of Christmas trees and festive lights in Asia. This is partly because 크리스마스 is a public holiday in South Korea, which is not the case in many other East Asian countries.
Examples in context
- 너 크리스마스에 뭘 원해?What do you want for Christmas?This sentence is useful for asking what someone wants for 크리스마스.Tatoeba #12977494 by Uwe, translation #2014383 by CK
- 크리스마스 선물을 사야 해.I need to buy Christmas gifts.This sentence is useful for expressing a need to buy gifts for 크리스마스.Tatoeba #8394180 by Eunhee, translation #5720843 by Airvian
- 크리스마스에 여친에게 뭘 사줬니?What have you bought your girlfriend for Christmas?This sentence is useful for asking what someone bought for their girlfriend for 크리스마스.Tatoeba #11105529 by intertime, translation #2102192 by Hybrid
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about their holiday plans.
- 민준 Min-jun크리스마스 때 뭐 할 거야?keuriseumaseu ttae mwo hal geoya?What are you going to do on Christmas?
- 수빈 Su-bin가족이랑 맛있는 거 먹을 거야.gajogirang masinneun geo meogeul geoya.I'm going to eat something delicious with my family.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 즐거운 크리스마스 되겠네!jeongmal jeulgeoun keuriseumaseu doetgetne!That sounds like a really merry Christmas!
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 민준 너도 잘 보내!eung, minjun neodo jal bonae!Yeah, you have a good one too, Minjun!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Christmas” translations and entries 크리스마스, 성탄절, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 성탄절, 크리스마스, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
