옷장
otjang[o̞t̚t͡ɕ͈a̠ŋ]
The English word "closet" is translated into Korean as 옷장 (otjang).
옷장 is used to refer to a piece of furniture used for storing clothes.
Meaning: furniture (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 옷장 is a compound of 옷, meaning "clothes" and 장, meaning "cabinet" or "storage".
Which one should you use?
While 옷장 refers to a piece of furniture like a wardrobe, 붙박이장 is the term used specifically for a built-in closet. Additionally, if you are referring to a walk-in closet or a separate room used as a closet, the informal term 옷방 may be used.
How do you pronounce it?
otjang
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean homes, the ancestor of the 옷장 was the 장롱, a heavy chest often decorated with intricate mother-of-pearl inlays to show the family's wealth.
- Historically, the storage of clothes in Korea involved 함, which were wedding chests that served as the primary 'closets' for a bride's dowry.
- In many modern Korean apartments, you might not see an 옷장 at all because people use the term 드레스룸 (dress room) to describe a dedicated walking area for clothes.
Examples in context
- 옷장을 뒤져서 기부할 옷들을 찾아봐야겠어.I'm going through my closet to find clothes to give to charity.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use 옷장 when searching through one.Tatoeba #4739062 by kumdonghee, translation #545302 by darinmex
- 제 옷들은 장롱에 잘 정돈되어 있어요.My clothes are well organized in the closet.
- 저는 옷방에 신발들을 보관해요.I keep my shoes in the closet room.
- 새 옷장을 사고 싶어요.sae otjangeul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy a new closet.
- 그 옷장은 너무 커요.geu otjangeun neomu keoyo.That closet is too big.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are organizing the bedroom.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 옷장 정리를 도와줄래요?Minji ssi, otjang jeongri-reul dowajullaeyo?Minji, can you help me organize the closet?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 지훈 씨. 같이 해요.ne, Jihun ssi. gachi haeyo.Yes, Jihoon. Let's do it together.
- 지훈 Ji-hun옷장에 옷이 정말 많네요.otjang-e osi jeongmal mannneyo.There are so many clothes in the closet.
- 민지 Min-ji그래서 정리가 필요해요.geuraeseo jeongri-ga piryohaeyo.That's why it needs organizing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “closet” translations and entries 옷장, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
