우체국
ucheguk[ut͡ɕʰe̞ɡuk̚]
The English phrase "post office" is translated into Korean as 우체국 (ucheguk). Wiktionary also lists 우편국 (upyeon'guk) and 체신소 (chesinso).
Meaning: place (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 우체국 | ucheguk | [ut͡ɕʰe̞ɡuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 우편국 | upyeon'guk | [upʰjʌ̹nɡuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
| 체신소 | chesinso | [t͡ɕʰe̞ɕʰinsʰo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
What does it mean word for word?
The word 우체국 is composed of 우체 (post/mail) and 국 (office/department/bureau).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, 우편국 and 체신소 are used as alternative terms for post office.
How do you pronounce it?
ucheguk
Did you know?
- In South Korea, the 우체국 is often used as a convenient hub for financial services, offering savings accounts and insurance that might be handled by separate banks in other countries.
- The word 국 in 우체국 is the same character used in 한국 (Korea), where it refers to a 'nation' or 'state' rather than an office.
- The character 遞 in the etymology of 우체국 means 'to replace' or 'to hand over', describing the physical act of passing a letter from one person to the next.
Examples in context
- 우표는 어느 우체국에서라도 살 수 있습니다.You can buy stamps at any post office.This sentence is useful for expressing that stamps can be purchased at any 우체국.Tatoeba #13143786 by SN_H, translation #272462 by CK
- 실례합니다만, 우체국을 찾고 있습니다.Excuse me, but I'm looking for the post office.This sentence is useful for asking for the location of a 우체국.Tatoeba #914559 by Sudajaengi, translation #990357 by Brian255
- 우체국이 어디 있나요?Where is the post office?
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are walking in the city.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 근처에 우체국이 있어요?Jihun ssi, geuncheoe uchegugi isseoyo?Jihun, is there a post office nearby?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 저기 큰 건물이 우체국이에요.Ne, jeogi keun geonmuri uchegugieyo.Yes, that large building over there is the post office.
- 민지 Min-ji감사합니다. 우체국에 가야 해요.Gamsahamnida. Ucheguge gaya haeyo.Thank you. I need to go to the post office.
- 지훈 Ji-hun조심히 가세요, 민지 씨.Josimhi gaseyo, Minji ssi.Go safely, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “post office” translations and entries 우체국, 우편국, 체신소, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 우체국, 우편국, 체신소, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
