추억
chueok[t͡ɕʰuʌ̹k̚]
The English phrase "memories" can be translated into Korean as 추억 (chueok).
추억 is used specifically to express nostalgic memories or fond recollections of past experiences and events.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between 추억 and 기억. While 추억 refers to fond or nostalgic recollections, 기억 is the general term for the faculty of memory or any specific piece of factual information remembered.
How do you pronounce it?
chueok
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 추억 when you are referring to the general faculty of remembering or a specific factual piece of information. In those cases, use 기억 instead.
Did you know?
- In Korean pop culture, the term 추억 돋는다 is a common slang expression that literally means 'memories are sprouting', used when something suddenly triggers a wave of nostalgia.
- The word 추억 is composed of two Hanja characters: 追, meaning 'to chase' or 'to pursue', and 憶, meaning 'to recollect'. It literally conveys the act of 'chasing' or 'pursuing' old thoughts.
- When people talk about 'making memories' in a nostalgic sense, they often use the verb 쌓다, which means 'to pile up' or 'to stack', as if memories are physical layers being built.
Examples in context
- 옛 사진들을 보니 지난날의 추억들이 아련하게 떠오른다.Seeing pictures of the bygone days, [my mind] was tingling with faint memories of yesteryear.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe the feeling of old memories surfacing when looking at old photographs using 추억.
- 그 공원은 제 추억이 가득한 곳입니다.That park is a place full of my memories.
- 어제 너와 함께한 기억들이 너무 좋았어.The memories I had with you yesterday were so wonderful.
- 우리는 행복한 추억을 많이 만들었어요.urineun haengbokhan chueogeul mani mandeureosseoyo.We made many happy memories.
- 그곳은 저에게 소중한 추억이에요.geugoseun jeoege sojunghan chueogieyo.That place is a precious memory to me.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are looking at a photo album.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 이 사진 기억나요?Jihun ssi, i sajin gieoknayo?Jihun, do you remember this photo?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 정말 즐거운 추억이었어요.ne, jeongmal jeulgeoun chueogieosseoyo.Yes, it was a really joyful memory.
- 수빈 Su-bin그때 정말 재미있었죠.geuttae jeongmal jaemiisseotjyo.It was so much fun back then.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요. 다시 가고 싶네요.majayo. dasi gago sipneyo.You're right. I want to go there again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 추억, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 추억, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
