공휴일
gonghyuil[ko̞ŋʝuiɭ]
The English phrase public holiday is translated into Korean as 공휴일 (gonghyuil). If unsure, use 공휴일. Wiktionary also lists 공휴 (gonghyu).
Meaning: national or regional holiday from work on a specific day (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 공휴일 | gonghyuil | [ko̞ŋʝuiɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 공휴 | gonghyu | [ko̞ŋʝu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to a national or regional holiday from work on a specific day. In casual conversation, Koreans often refer to public holidays as 빨간 날, literally 'red days', because holidays are marked in red on calendars.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 공휴일 is composed of 공 (public/official), 휴 (rest) and 일 (day).
Which one should you use?
공휴일 refers to the specific calendar day that is a holiday, whereas 공휴 refers to the concept of a public holiday or the act of a public holiday occurring.
How do you pronounce it?
gonghyuil
Did you know?
- In Korea, many public holidays are actually determined by the lunar calendar rather than the solar calendar, meaning the 'red days' shift every year.
- The word 공휴일 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning its roots are based on Chinese characters rather than native Korean sounds.
- Koreans may use the term 빨간 날 to describe a day they feel should be a holiday, even if the government has not officially declared it one.
Examples in context
- 다음 주는 국가공휴일로 인해 사무실이 휴무합니다.The office will be closed next week due to a national public holiday.
- 명절 때는 항상 친척들을 만나요.I always meet my relatives during public holidays.
- 이번 공휴일은 언제예요?ibeon gonghyuil-eun eonjeyeyo?When is this public holiday?
- 내일은 법정 공휴일입니다.naeil-eun beopjeong gonghyuil-imnida.Tomorrow is a statutory public holiday.
- 공휴일에는 은행이 문을 닫아요.gonghyuil-eneun eunhaeng-i muneul dadayo.Banks are closed on public holidays.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are discussing their upcoming work schedule.
- 도현 Do-hyeon다음 주 월요일이 공휴일인가요?daeum ju wol-yoil-i gonghyuil-ingayo?Is next Monday a public holiday?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 그래서 회사도 쉬어요.ne, geuraeseo hoesado swieoyo.Yes, so the company is closed too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨는 그날 계획이 있어요?Minji ssi-neun geunal gyehoek-i isseoyo?Do you have plans for that day, Minji?
- 민지 Min-ji아직 특별한 계획은 없어요.ajik teukbyeolhan gyehoek-eun eopseoyo.I don't have any special plans yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “public holiday” translations and entries 공휴일, 공휴, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공휴, 공휴일, CC BY-SA 4.0.
