감옥
gamok[ka̠mo̞k̚]
The English word "jail" is translated into Korean as 감옥 (gamok). Wiktionary also lists 교도소 (gyodoso).
Meaning: place for short-term confinement (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 감옥 | gamok | [ka̠mo̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 교도소 | gyodoso | [ˈkjo(ː)do̞sʰo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
감옥 refers to a place for short-term confinement. A common way to express the phrase "to go to jail" is by using the noun 감옥 with the verb 가다 (to go).
Which one should you use?
While 감옥 refers to a jail or prison in a general sense, 교도소 is the more formal and official term used for a correctional institution.
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying someone is "in jail" or "to jail," the particle –에 is used after 감옥 to indicate location or direction, resulting in the form 감옥에.
How do you pronounce it?
gamok
Did you know?
- In Korean pop culture and dramas, characters often use the slang term 콩밥 which means 'bean rice' to refer to the experience of being in 감옥.
- In historical Korean dramas, you may hear the term 옥사 which refers specifically to the act of dying while imprisoned in 감옥.
- The term 감옥 is composed of two Chinese characters: 감 meaning 'to oversee' and 옥 meaning 'prison'. This reflects a historical view of jails as places of surveillance.
Examples in context
- 너 감옥에 간 적 있어?Have you ever been in jail?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever been in 감옥.Tatoeba #8362301 by Eunhee, translation #6898671 by CK
- 나는 감옥에 있다.I'm in jail.This sentence is useful for stating that one is in 감옥.Tatoeba #11105124 by intertime, translation #2248036 by CK
- 그 범죄자는 교도소에서 10년을 보냈습니다.That criminal spent ten years in jail.
- 그 남자는 감옥에 갔어.That man went to jail.
- 그는 교도소에 갇혀 있어요.He is confined in jail.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are discussing a crime movie.
- 서연 Seo-yeon주인공이 결국 감옥에 갔네요.juingong-i gyeolguk gamok-e gannneyo.The main character eventually went to jail.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요, 정말 슬픈 결말이에요.majayo, jeongmal seulpeun gyeolmarieyo.That's right, it's a really sad ending.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감옥 생활이 너무 힘들어 보였어요.gamok saenghwari neomu himdeureo boyeosseoyo.Life in jail looked so difficult.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo영화라서 더 그렇게 표현한 것 같아요.yeonghwaraseo deo geureoke pyohyeonhan geot gatayo.I think they portrayed it that way because it's a movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jail” translations and entries 감옥, 교도소, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 감옥, 교도소, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
