노래방
noraebang[no̞ɾɛba̠ŋ]
Karaoke in Korean is 노래방 (noraebang). Wiktionary also lists 가라오케 (garaoke) and 화면반주음악실 (hwamyeonbanjueumaksil).
Meaning: a form of entertainment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 노래방 | noraebang | [no̞ɾɛba̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [no̞ɾe̞ba̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 가라오케 | garaoke | [ka̠ɾa̠o̞kʰe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 화면반주음악실 | hwamyeonbanjueumaksil | [ɸwa̠mjʌ̹nba̠ɲd͡ʑuɯma̠kɕ͈iɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
In South Korea, people almost always use the term 노래방 to refer to the places where they go to sing, rather than the loanword 가라오케. 가라오케 is a phonetic transliteration of the Japanese word 'karaoke' into Korean script.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 노래방 is a compound of 노래 (song) and 방 (room).
Which one should you use?
가라오케 is used in informal situations or among friends.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 화면반주음악실 is the North Korean designation for a karaoke establishment, which means screen accompaniment music room.
How do you pronounce it?
noraebang
Did you know?
- If you use the term 가라오케 in South Korea, it often implies a more adult-oriented or nightlife-centric setting rather than the family-friendly 'song rooms' found in malls.
- In Korean pop culture, the 노래방 is often used as a site for '회식' (hoesik), or company dinners, where employees are expected to sing to bond with their bosses.
- In South Korea, it is common to visit a 코인노래방 (coin noraebang), which allows customers to pay for individual songs with coins rather than renting a room by the hour.
Examples in context
- 나는 노래방 가는 걸 너무 좋아해.I love karaoke.This sentence shows how to express a preference for going to 노래방.Tatoeba #13118627 by romzzo, translation #5257428 by Hybrid
- 난 오늘 톰과 다른 사람들이랑 같이 노래방에 가는데 너도 같이 갈래?I'm going with Tom and the others to a karaoke bar today. Are you coming?This sentence is useful for inviting someone to a 노래방.Tatoeba #3681028 by Eunhee, translation #3104386 by Hybrid
- 혼자 노래방에 간 적도 있어요?Have you ever been to karaoke alone?This sentence asks about the experience of visiting a 노래방 alone.Tatoeba #2658124 by KoreanBeaver, translation #3660144 by rbbrbb
- 철수씨, 함께 노래방에 가실래요?Mr. Cheolsu, would you like to go to karaoke with us?
- 회사 동료들과 노래방에서 즐거운 시간을 보냈어요.I had a great time at karaoke with my colleagues.
- 오늘 밤에 가라오케 갈래?Do you want to go to karaoke tonight?
- 가라오케 노래를 부르는 걸 좋아해.I enjoy singing karaoke songs.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are deciding what to do after dinner.
- 민지 Min-ji우리 이제 노래방 갈까?uri ije noraebang galkka?Shall we go to the karaoke room now?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아! 나 노래하고 싶었어.joa! na noraehago sipeosseo.Great! I wanted to sing.
- 민지 Min-ji근처에 좋은 노래방이 있어.geuncheoe joeun noraebangi isseo.There is a good karaoke place nearby.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 빨리 가자.geureom ppalli gaja.Then let's go quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “karaoke” translations and entries 노래방, 가라오케, 화면반주음악실, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
