신발
sinbal[ɕʰinba̠ɭ]
The Korean word for shoes is 신발 (sinbal).
신발 is the general term for footwear worn on the feet for protection and comfort. You can use the loanword 스니커즈 specifically for sneakers, or 가죽신발 when referring to leather shoes. To talk about shoe size, you can use 사이즈, such as in the phrase 270사이즈 신발 (shoes size 270).
Which one should you use?
While 신발 is the general term, other words are more specific: 구두 refers to dress shoes or formal shoes and 운동화 refers to sneakers or sports shoes.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, you do not use the general verb for wearing clothes (입다) to describe putting on footwear. Instead, use the verb 신다 (to wear shoes). To describe removing them, use the phrase 신발을 벗다 (to take off shoes). When counting shoes, use the specific counter 켤레 (pair) instead of a general object counter.
How do you pronounce it?
sinbal
When do people say it?
The action of taking off shoes, expressed as 신발을 벗다, is culturally significant in Korea because many traditional homes are floor-based environments where shoes are removed upon entering.
Did you know?
- Historically, the type of 신발 a person wore, such as the straw 짚신 or leather 가죽신, served as a strict indicator of their social class during the Joseon Dynasty.
- When shopping for 신발, you might notice that Korean sizes are often listed in millimeters, such as '270', rather than using UK or US sizing systems.
- The word 신발 is a compound of two distinct nouns: 신 meaning 'shoe' and 발 meaning 'foot'.
Examples in context
- 톰은 낡은 신발을 신고 있어.Tom is wearing a pair of old shoes.This sentence is useful for describing someone wearing old shoes.Tatoeba #8367047 by Eunhee, translation #8355640 by CK
- 그는 신발을 신은 채로 잤어.He slept with his shoes on.This sentence is useful for describing someone sleeping while wearing shoes.Tatoeba #13761864 by qlTmalffk, translation #7386146 by CH
- 난 그저께 신발 세 켤레를 샀어.I bought three pairs of shoes the day before yesterday.This sentence is useful for practicing the counter for pairs of shoes.Tatoeba #8403592 by Eunhee, translation #8403189 by CK
- 운동화 어때?How are these sneakers?
- 이 운동화는 편해.These sneakers are comfortable.
- 그 스니커즈 예쁘다.Those sneakers are pretty.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyunwoo are looking at a shoe store window.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 저 신발 정말 예쁘지 않아요?Hyeon-u ssi, jeo sinbal jeongmal yeppeuji anayo?Hyunwoo, aren't those shoes really pretty?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요. 디자인이 아주 세련됐네요.Majayo. dijaini aju seryeondoenneyo.You're right. The design is very stylish.
- 지은 Ji-eun새 신발을 사고 싶어요.Sae sinbal-eul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy new shoes.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨에게 잘 어울릴 것 같아요.Jieun-ssiege jal eoul-lil geot gatayo.I think they would look good on you, Jieun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 신발, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 신발, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
