설날
seollal[ˈsʰɘ(ː)ɭɭa̠ɭ]
The English phrase "lunar new year" is 설날 (seollal) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 설 (seol).
Meaning: Lunar New Year (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 설날 | seollal | [ˈsʰɘ(ː)ɭɭa̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 설 | seol | [sʰɘ(ː)ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
설날 refers to the Lunar New Year. You may also see the phrase 설날 연휴 (seollal yeonhyu), which refers specifically to the Lunar New Year holiday period or long weekend.
Which one should you use?
설 is a shortened form of 설날 and the two can be used interchangeably in many contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
seollal
When do people say it?
A traditional custom associated with celebrating 설날 is eating 떡국 (tteokguk), which is a rice cake soup.
Did you know?
- Eating a bowl of 떡국 (tteokguk) during 설날 is not just a meal but a symbolic act. In Korean culture, it is often said that you only truly become one year older after you have finished your bowl of rice cake soup.
- During 설날, Koreans perform 세배 (sebae), a deep formal bow to elders. In return, the elders give 세뱃돈 (sebaetdon), which are New Year's gifts of money in envelopes.
- Historically the word 설 meant both 'New Year' and 'year of age'. This reflects the tradition where everyone gains a year of age on New Year's Day regardless of their actual birth date.
Examples in context
- 설날을 즐겁게 보내세요!Have a joyful Lunar New Year!
- 설날 잘 보내!Have a great Lunar New Year!
- 설날에 떡국을 먹어요.Seollare tteokgugeul meogeoyo.I eat rice cake soup on Lunar New Year.
- 설날 연휴가 언제예요?Seollal yeonhyuga eonjeyeyo?When is the Lunar New Year holiday?
- 설날에는 가족을 만나요.Seollareneun gajogeul mannayo.I meet my family on Lunar New Year.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about their upcoming holiday plans.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 설날에 뭐 해요?subin ssi, seollnare mwo haeyo?Subin, what are you doing for Lunar New Year?
- 수빈 Su-bin저는 고향에 내려가요.jeoneun gohyange naeryeogayo.I am going down to my hometown.
- 민준 Min-jun부모님께서 정말 좋아하시겠어요.bumonimkkeseo jeongmal joahasigesseoyo.Your parents will be very happy.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 민준 씨도 즐거운 설날 보내세요.ne, minjun ssi-do jeulgeoun seollal bonaeseyo.Yes, you have a happy Lunar New Year too, Minjun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lunar new year” translations and entries 설날, 설, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 설, 설날, CC BY-SA 4.0.
