공책
gongchaek[ko̞ŋt͡ɕʰɛk̚]
Notebook in Korean is 공책 (gongchaek), the native word for a book of blank pages for notes. If unsure, use 공책. Wiktionary also lists 노트 (noteu) and 수첩 (sucheop).
Meaning: empty book able to be used for notes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 공책 | gongchaek | [ko̞ŋt͡ɕʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ko̞ŋt͡ɕʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 노트 | noteu | [no̞tʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 수첩 | sucheop | [sʰut͡ɕʰʌ̹p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
공책 is often used for school notebooks or larger exercise books.
Which one should you use?
노트 (noteu) is a loanword from English, common in modern speech and often used for spiral notebooks or more stylish stationery. 수첩 (sucheop) means a small, portable notebook or memo pad for quick notes, the kind that fits in a pocket or a small bag.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as gongchaek.
Did you know?
- The character for 'book' in 공책 is a pictograph that originated from a visual representation of the way ancient books were bound.
- The word 노트 is used in Korean as a loanword for both the English word 'notebook' and the English word 'knot' in technical settings.
- The word 수첩 is often associated with professional roles, such as journalists or detectives, who use these pocket-sized books to record evidence or interviews on the fly.
Examples in context
- 새 공책을 샀어요.sae gongchaek-eul sasseoyo.I bought a new notebook.
- 공책에 이름을 쓰세요.gongchaek-e ireum-eul sseuseyo.Please write your name in the notebook.
- 이 공책은 조금 작아요.i gongchaek-eun jogeum jagayo.This notebook is a little small.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are preparing for class in a classroom.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 공책 있어요?Minjun ssi, gongchaek isseoyo?Minjun, do you have a notebook?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 여기 있어요.ne, yeogi isseoyo.Yes, I have one right here.
- 민지 Min-ji저한테 공책 한 권만 빌려주세요.jeohante gongchaek han gwonman billyeojuseyo.Please lend me one notebook.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 여기요.ne, yeogiyo.Sure, here it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “notebook” translations and entries 공책, 노트, 수첩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공책, 노트, 수첩, CC BY-SA 4.0.
