Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 빨간불 | ppalganbul | [p͈a̠ɭɡa̠nbuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 적신호 | jeoksinho | [t͡ɕʌ̹kɕ͈inβo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 적색신호 | jeoksaeksinho | [t͡ɕʌ̹ks͈ɛkɕ͈inβo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕʌ̹ks͈e̞kɕ͈inβo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the term you choose depends on whether you are referring to a physical traffic signal or a metaphorical warning. 빨간불 refers to a literal red light, such as one at a street intersection. In contrast, 적신호 is used more abstractly to signify a 'red signal' or a warning sign of danger in social or business situations.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 빨간불 is a compound of 빨간, meaning red and 불, meaning light or fire.
Which one should you use?
빨간불 is the most common and colloquial way to refer to a red traffic light in daily conversation. 적신호 is more abstract and often functions as a metaphor for a warning sign or danger signal. 적색신호 is a more formal version of a red signal used in specific contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
적색신호 is a formal or technical term suitable for official documents, news reports or driving manuals.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing an action like stopping at a red light, the particle –에 is added to the end of the word, as seen in 빨간불에, to indicate the condition or point in time under which the action occurs.
How do you pronounce it?
ppalganbul
Did you know?
- The word 불 in 빨간불 can mean both 'light' and 'fire'. This means that in certain contexts, the same word used for a traffic light can also describe a house on fire.
- While 적신호 is a warning, the phrase 초록불 (green light) is frequently used metaphorically to mean that a project or relationship has received a 'go-ahead' or a favorable sign.
- Korean distinguishes between the native word for red 빨간 and the Sino-Korean root for red 적. This creates two entirely different registers of speech for the same color light.
Examples in context
- 빨간불에 멈췄어?Did you stop at the red light?This sentence is useful for asking if someone stopped at the red light using the form 빨간불.Tatoeba #11105705 by intertime, translation #272444 by CK
- 지금 빨간불이야.jigeum ppalganbul-iya.It is a red light right now.
- 빨간불이 켜질 때까지 기다려.ppalganbul-i kyeojil ttaekkaji gidaryeo.Wait until the red light turns on.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are waiting at a crosswalk.
- 민준 Min-jun저기 빨간불이 들어왔어.jeogi ppalganbul-i deureowasseo.The red light turned on over there.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 이제 건너도 돼요?Minjun ssi, ije geonneodo dwaeyo?Minjun, can we cross now?
- 민준 Min-jun아니, 아직 빨간불이야.ani, ajik ppalganbul-iya.No, it is still a red light.
- 지은 Ji-eun알겠어요. 조금 더 기다려요.algetseoyo. jogeum deo gidaryeoyo.I see. Let's wait a little longer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red light” translations and entries 빨간불, 적신호, 적색신호, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
