국경일
gukgyeong'il[kuk̚k͈jʌ̹ŋiɭ]
The Korean phrase for "national holiday" is 국경일 (gukgyeong'il).
국경일 refers specifically to holidays that celebrate the nation. 추석 is a major harvest festival and national holiday in Korea.
Meaning: public holiday (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 국경일 refers specifically to holidays celebrating the nation (like Independence Day), 공휴일 is the more general term for any day off from work or school due to a holiday.
How do you pronounce it?
gukgyeong'il
Did you know?
- In South Korea, some 국경일 are not actually 공휴일. This means that while the day is officially a national celebratory day, people are still expected to go to work and school.
- Major traditional festivals like 추석 and 설날 are not technically 국경일, despite being the most important holidays in the culture, because they are based on tradition rather than state foundation.
- To honor 국경일, Koreans display the 태극기 national flag outside their homes. There are strict government guidelines on the exact days and ways the flag should be raised and lowered.
Examples in context
- 설날은 한국의 명절 중 하나입니다.Lunar New Year is one of Korea's national holidays.
- 다음 주에는 명절이 있어서 3일 동안 쉽니다.We have a national holiday next week, so we have a 3-day break.
- 제주도에서는 명절에 해안가에서 해수욕을 즐기는 것이 일반적입니다.In Jeju Island, it is common to enjoy swimming in the sea during national holidays.
- 그날은 한국의 국경일이에요.geunareun hangugui gukgyeongirieyo.That day is a Korean national holiday.
- 우리나라는 국경일이 많아요.urinareun gukgyeongiri manayo.Our country has many national holidays.
- 이번 국경일에 무엇을 할 거예요?ibeon gukgyeongire mueoseul hal geoyeyo?What are you going to do on this national holiday?
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about their upcoming plans.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 다음 주 월요일에 쉬나요?Hyeon-u ssi, da-eum ju wol-yo-il-e swinayo?Hyunwoo, are you off next Monday?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 그날은 국경일이라서 쉬어요.ne, geunal-eun gukgyeongil-iraseo swieoyo.Yes, I'm off because it's a national holiday.
- 수빈 Su-bin아, 맞네요! 어디에 가실 거예요?a, matneyo! eodi-e gasil geoyeyo?Oh, that's right! Where are you going to go?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo가족들과 함께 여행을 갈 거예요.gajok-deul-gwa hamkke yeohaeng-eul gal geoyeyo.I'm going on a trip with my family.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 국경일, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
