사투리
saturi[ˈsʰa̠(ː)tʰuɾi]
The Korean word for "dialect" is 사투리 (saturi). Wiktionary also lists 방언 (bang'eon).
Meaning: particular variety of a language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 사투리 | saturi | [ˈsʰa̠(ː)tʰuɾi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 방언 | bang'eon | [pa̠ŋʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both provided terms refer to a particular variety of a language. 사투리 is the word most frequently used in casual conversation when talking about someone's regional way of speaking or regional accent.
Which one should you use?
사투리 refers to a dialect or a regional accent in a general sense. In contrast, 방언 is the formal, academic term for "dialect" used in linguistics or official contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
saturi
Did you know?
- In South Korea, the Gyeongsang dialect is often stereotyped in media as sounding aggressive or masculine, even when the speaker is being friendly.
- The term 사투리 appears in the 'Myeongjong sillok', a record of the Joseon Dynasty, as early as 1549.
- Koreans may use the phrase 사투리 to playfully describe the 'dialect' of a specific social group or subculture, even if they are from the same city.
Examples in context
- 경상도 사투리로 '새우'를 뭐라 하는지 알아?Do you know what the word for "shrimp" is in Gyeongsang dialect?This sentence is useful for asking about specific regional vocabulary using the form 사투리.
- 언어학이란 학문에 있어, 언어와 방언의 차이는 매우 모호하다 할 수 있겠습니다.In the academic field of linguistics, we may say that the distinction between a language and a dialect is very imprecise.This sentence is useful for discussing the academic distinction between language and dialect using the form 방언.
- 사투리에는 다양한 억양과 표현이 있습니다.There are various intonations and expressions in dialects.
- 저는 한국의 다양한 지역 사투리에 관심이 있어요.I am interested in various regional dialects in Korea.
- 방언들은 정말 흥미로워.Dialects are really interesting.
- 우리 나라에는 많은 다양한 방언이 있어.Our country has many different dialects.
- 그 영화는 전라도 사투리가 나와서 재미있어요.geu yeonghwaneun jeollado satureiga nawaseo jaemiisseoyo.That movie is interesting because it features the Jeolla dialect.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are talking about their hometowns.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨는 고향이 어디예요?seoyeon ssineun gohyangi eodiyeyo?Seoyeon, where is your hometown?
- 서연 Seo-yeon저는 부산에서 왔어요.jeonun busaneseo wasseoyo.I am from Busan.
- 민준 Min-jun그래서 사투리를 쓰시나요?geuraeseo saturireul sseusinayo?So, do you speak a dialect?
- 서연 Seo-yeon가끔 저도 모르게 나와요.gakkeum jeodo moreuge nawayo.Sometimes it comes out without me noticing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dialect” translations and entries 사투리, 방언, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 방언, 사투리, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
