소파
sopa[s͈o̞pʰa̠]
In Korean, the English word couch is translated as 소파 (sopa). Wiktionary also lists 카우치 (kauchi).
Meaning: furniture for seating of more than one person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 소파 | sopa | [s͈o̞pʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 카우치 | kauchi | [kʰa̠ut͡ɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 소파 is a common and universally understood way to say couch in Korean.
Which one should you use?
While 카우치 is a direct phonetic loanword from 'couch', 소파 is the much more common way to refer to a couch or sofa in everyday Korean.
How do you pronounce it?
sopa
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean homes, the 'couch' concept was historically replaced by the 보료, a thick quilted mattress placed on the floor. This tradition influences why many modern Korean apartments still prioritize floor-based living over bulky furniture.
- Due to the prevalence of floor-heating systems called 온돌, some Korean 소파 are designed with higher legs or specific materials to avoid blocking the heat flow from the floor.
- The word 카우치 is rarely used to describe furniture and is more frequently found in specific medical contexts, such as a 'treatment couch' in a clinic.
Examples in context
- 어딨어요? 소파가 필요해요.Where is it? I need a couch.
- 새 소파가 정말 편해요.sae sopa-ga jeongmal pyeon-hae-yo.The new couch is really comfortable.
- 거실에 소파가 있어요.geosil-e sopa-ga iss-eo-yo.There is a couch in the living room.
- 이 소파는 색깔이 예뻐요.i sopa-neun saekkkal-i yeppeo-yo.This couch has a pretty color.
Example conversation
Dohyeon and Seoyeon are looking at furniture in a showroom.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 소파 어때요?i sopa eo-ttae-yo?How is this couch?
- 서연 Seo-yeon디자인이 아주 세련됐어요.dijain-i aju seryeondoet-sseo-yo.The design is very sophisticated.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨도 마음에 들어요?Seoyeon ssi-do maeum-e deul-eo-yo?Do you like it too, Seoyeon?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 정말 마음에 들어요.ne, jeongmal maeum-e deul-eo-yo.Yes, I really like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “couch” translations and entries 소파, 카우치, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
