여권
yeogwon[jʌ̹k͈wʌ̹n]
The English phrase "passport" is translated into Korean as 여권 (yeogwon). Wiktionary also lists 패스포트 (paeseupoteu).
Meaning: official document for foreign travel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 여권 | yeogwon | [jʌ̹k͈wʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈjɘ(ː)k͈wʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 패스포트 | paeseupoteu | [pʰɛsʰɯpʰo̞tʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pʰe̞sʰɯpʰo̞tʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to the official document required for foreign travel.
Which one should you use?
While 여권 is the standard Korean word, 패스포트 is the phonetic transliteration of the English word "passport" and is used less frequently in formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 여권 is the subject of a sentence, you add the subject marker –이 to form 여권이. When it is the direct object of a verb, such as in the phrase "to show the passport", you add the object marker –을 to form 여권을.
How do you pronounce it?
yeogwon
Did you know?
- In historical contexts, before the modern 여권, Koreans used a 호패, a wooden tablet that served as a personal ID for domestic movement.
- The standard word 여권 was orthographically borrowed from the Japanese word ryoken.
- In South Korea, passports are often referred to as 'the blue book' because of the distinctive color of the standard biometric passport cover.
Examples in context
- 외국에 가려면 여권이 필요합니다.If you are going abroad, it's necessary to have a passport.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of a passport when traveling abroad using 여권.Tatoeba #8026872 by yesjustryan, translation #22199 by Swift
- 여권 있어?Do you have your passport?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has their 여권.Tatoeba #8398460 by Eunhee, translation #35279 by CK
- 여권 주세요.Passport, please.This sentence is useful for requesting a 여권.Tatoeba #10576599 by ssuss32, translation #35273 by gin
- 저는 여권을 잃어버렸어요.I lost my passport.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Ji-eun are checking their bags before leaving for the airport.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은, 여권 챙겼어?Ji-eun, yeogwon chaenggyeosseo?Ji-eun, did you pack your passport?
- 지은 Ji-eun어, 가방 안에 있어.eo, gabang ane isseo.Yeah, it's in my bag.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo내 여권은 어디 있지?nae yeogwoneun eodi itji?Where is my passport?
- 지은 Ji-eun책상 위에 있어, 현우 씨.chaeksang wie isseo, Hyun-woo ssi.It's on the desk, Hyun-woo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “passport” translations and entries 여권, 패스포트, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여권, 패스포트, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
