오후
ohu[ˈo̞(ː)βu]
The English phrase 'pm' is translated into Korean as 오후 (ohu).
The most commonly used formal term for PM in Korean is 오후.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is [ohu].
Did you know?
- The 오 in 오후 refers to the 'Horse' sign of the Chinese zodiac, which represents the time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This means 'pm' literally translates to 'after the horse'.
- When writing the time in Korean, 오후 is placed before the number, unlike the English 'pm' which usually follows the number.
- Korean has a separate word 낮 for 'daytime' that overlaps with 오후. While 오후 is a chronological marker, 낮 refers to the period when the sun is up.
Examples in context
- 오후 두 시에 만나요.ohu du sie mannayo.Let's meet at 2 pm.
- 오늘 오후에 비가 와요.oneul ohu-e biga wayo.It is raining this afternoon.
- 저는 오후 세 시에 운동해요.jeoneun ohu se sie undonghaeyo.I exercise at 3 pm.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hun are making plans to meet at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 오늘 오후에 시간 있어요?Ji-hun ssi, oneul ohu-e sigan isseoyo?Ji-hun, do you have time this afternoon?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 오후 네 시쯤 괜찮아요.ne, ohu ne si-jjeum gwaenchanayo.Yes, around 4 pm is fine.
- 지은 Ji-eun그때 카페에서 만날까요?geuttae kape-eseo mannalkkayo?Shall we meet at the cafe then?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요. 그때 봐요.joayo. geuttae bwayo.Great. See you then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 오후, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 오후, CC BY-SA 4.0.
