엽서
yeopseo[jʌ̹ps͈ʌ̹]
The English word 'postcard' is translated into Korean as 엽서 (yeopseo). Wiktionary also lists 그림엽서 (geurimyeopseo).
Meaning: rectangular piece of thick paper to be mailed without an envelope (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 엽서 | yeopseo | [jʌ̹ps͈ʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 그림엽서 | geurimyeopseo | [ˈkɯ(ː)ɾimɲʌ̹ps͈ʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 엽서 is used to refer to a rectangular piece of thick paper intended to be mailed without an envelope. To say 'to write a postcard', you use the phrase 엽서를 쓰다, combining the noun with the verb 쓰다 (to write).
Which one should you use?
While 엽서 is the general term for any postcard, 그림엽서 specifically refers to a picture postcard that features an illustration or a picture.
How do you pronounce it?
yeopseo
Did you know?
- The word 엽서 is an orthographic borrowing from the Japanese word はがき (hagaki).
- In Korean, the verb 쓰다 used to write a 엽서 also means 'to use' or 'to wear a hat'.
- The character '서' in 엽서 also appears in the word for 'book', 서적, linking the idea of a single piece of correspondence to the broader world of written records.
Examples in context
- 나는 톰에게 엽서를 쓸 거야.I'm going to write a postcard to Tom.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 엽서 in the context of writing to someone.Tatoeba #13756386 by qlTmalffk, translation #6335898 by CK
- 엽서 주세요Please give me a postcard.
- 포스트카드 하나 주세요Please give me one postcard.
- 엽서를 보냈어요I sent a postcard.
- 엽서를 받았어요I received a postcard.
- 여행지에서 엽서를 샀어요.yeohaengji-eseo yeopseoreul sasseoyo.I bought a postcard at the travel destination.
- 이 엽서에 주소를 적으세요.i yeopseoe jusoreul jeokseuseyo.Please write the address on this postcard.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyeon are at a souvenir shop.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 이 엽서 예쁘지 않아요?Dohyeon ssi, i yeopseo yeppeuji anayo?Dohyeon, isn't this postcard pretty?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 그림이 정말 멋지네요.Ne, geurimi jeongmal meotjineyo.Yes, the picture is really wonderful.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 엽서를 한 장 살까요?Geureom yeopseoreul han jang salkkayo?Then shall we buy one postcard?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요. 제가 살게요.Joayo. Jega salgeyo.Good. I will buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “postcard” translations and entries 엽서, 그림엽서, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 그림엽서, 엽서, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
