대한민국
Daehanmin'guk[ˈtɛ(ː)ɦa̠nminɡuk̚]
The phrase "republic of korea" in Korean is 대한민국 (Daehanmin'guk).
대한민국 is the official name of South Korea. It is used on passports, official documents and in formal international addresses. While this is the formal name for the country, you can use 한국 사람 or 대한민국 사람 to refer to a person from South Korea. Note that North Korea is called 조선 in Korean.
Meaning: official name of South Korea (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The name is composed of Dae (great), Han (the name of the ethnic group/dynasty), Min (people) and Guk (country/state), literally meaning "Great Han People's State".
Which one should you use?
While 대한민국 is the official formal name used in government and legal contexts, 한국 is the common name used in everyday conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
대한민국 is the highly formal, official name used in diplomatic, legal and ceremonial contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
Daehanmin'guk
Did you know?
- The term 대한민국 was likely modeled after the 'Republic of China' (中华民国), which was also coined by Sun Yat-sen. Both nations adopted this specific structure for their official names during the early 20th century.
- The 'Dae' in 대한민국 means 'great' or 'grand', a prefix used to distinguish the 'Great Han' from the much older, smaller 'Three Hans' (삼한) of Korean history.
Examples in context
- 저는 대한민국 사람입니다I am a person from the Republic of Korea.
- 대한민국의 수도는 서울입니다.Daehanminguk-ui sudo-neun Seoul-imnida.The capital of the Republic of Korea is Seoul.
- 대한민국 국기를 보여주세요.Daehanminguk gukgi-reul boyeo-juseyo.Please show me the flag of the Republic of Korea.
- 공식 명칭은 대한민국입니다.Gongsik myeongching-eun Daehanminguk-imnida.The official name is the Republic of Korea.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a social studies project in a library.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 공식 명칭이 뭐예요?Minjun ssi, gongsik myeongching-i mwo-yeyo?Minjun, what is the official name?
- 민준 Min-jun대한민국이라고 불러요.Daehanminguk-irago bulleo-yo.It is called the Republic of Korea.
- 민지 Min-ji아, 그렇군요. 감사합니다.A, geureok-gunyo. Gamsahamnida.Ah, I see. Thank you.
- 민준 Min-jun별말씀을요, 민지 씨.Byeolmalsseumeul-yo, Minji ssi.You're welcome, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “republic of korea” translations and entries 대한민국, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 대한민국, CC BY-SA 4.0.
