여름
yeoreum[jʌ̹ɾɯm]
The Korean word for summer is 여름 (yeoreum). Wiktionary also lists 하계 (hagye).
Meaning: hottest season (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 여름 | yeoreum | [jʌ̹ɾɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 하계 | hagye | [ˈha̠(ː)ɡje̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈha̠(ː)ɡe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
여름 is the standard noun used to refer to the hottest season of the year.
Which one should you use?
While 여름 is the common word for summer, 하계 is a more formal or technical term often used in official contexts to refer to the summer season or summer period.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
여름 is suitable for use in any setting or context. In contrast, 하계 is used in formal or official situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'in summer' or 'during summer', you can add the time particle 에 to the word, forming 여름에. To indicate possession or a relationship, such as 'summer's end', you use the particle 의 after the word to form 여름의.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoreum
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific term called 삼복 to describe the three hottest days of 여름, during which people traditionally eat 삼계탕 to combat the heat.
- The formal word 하계 is a homonym with several meanings, including 'the underworld' or 'the lower world' when written with different characters.
- To describe the oppressive humidity of 여름, Koreans use the word 무더위, which specifically refers to a heat that is both hot and damp.
Examples in context
- 일본은 여름에 굉장히 덥다.In Japan it's very hot in summer.This sentence is useful for describing the weather in Japan during 여름.Tatoeba #13118779 by romzzo, translation #5971909 by Joutsentaika
- 여긴 오늘이 꼭 여름의 끝인 듯하다.Here it really feels today like summer has ended.This sentence is useful for describing the feeling of the end of 여름.Tatoeba #3718316 by ssuss32, translation #3953874 by KoreanBeaver
- 이번 여름 휴가 때 어디 가고 싶어?Where do you want to go this summer vacation?This sentence is useful for asking about plans for a vacation during 여름.Tatoeba #11104806 by intertime, translation #2794687 by CK
- 날씨가 더워지면 여름이 왔다고 생각해.When the weather gets hotter, I think summer has arrived.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are talking about the weather.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨는 여름을 좋아해요?Minji ssineun yeoreumeul joahae-yo?Minji, do you like summer?
- 민지 Min-ji아니요, 저는 겨울이 더 좋아요.Aniyo, jeoneun gyeouri deo joayo.No, I like winter more.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo왜요? 여름은 해수욕장에 갈 수 있잖아요.Waeyo? yeoreumeun haesuyokjang-e gal su itjanayo.Why? In summer, you can go to the beach.
- 민지 Min-ji그렇지만 여름은 너무 더워요.Geureotjiman yeoreumeun neomu deowoyo.But summer is too hot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “summer” translations and entries 여름, 하계, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여름, 하계, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
