일출
ilchul[iʎt͡ɕʰuɭ]
The English word sunrise is 일출 (ilchul) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 해돋이 (haedoji).
Meaning: time of day (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 일출 | ilchul | [iʎt͡ɕʰuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 해돋이 | haedoji | [hɛdo̞d͡ʑi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [he̞do̞d͡ʑi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both 일출 and 해돋이 refer to the time of day when the sun rises. 일출 is the standard term used when referring to the specific time of sunrise, such as in the phrase 일출 시간 (sunrise time).
What does it mean word for word?
The term 해돋이 is composed of 해 (sun) and 돋이 (rising/emergence).
How do you pronounce it?
ilchul
Did you know?
- Many Koreans travel to the East Coast on New Year's Eve to watch the 해돋이 together as a way to wish for good luck in the coming year.
- In Korean, the concept of 'rising' in 해돋이 is closely related to the verb 돋다, which is also used to describe a plant sprouting or a pimple appearing on the skin.
- The word 해돋이 is a pure Korean way of saying sunrise, whereas 일출 is a Sino-Korean word borrowed from Chinese characters.
Examples in context
- 귀빈님들께서는 언제 해돋이를 보러 가실 생각이신가요?When do you esteemed guests plan to go see the sunrise?
- 새벽해가 예쁘게 뜨니까 일찍 일어나 봐.Wake up early to witness the beautiful sunrise at dawn.
- 아침녘에 뜬 해가 너무 따뜻하다.The sun rising in the morning brings such warmth.
- 오늘 일출 시간은 언제예요?oneul ilchul siganeun eonjeyeyo?What time is the sunrise today?
- 바다에서 일출을 보고 싶어요.badaeseo ilchureul bogo sipeoyo.I want to see the sunrise at the sea.
- 일출이 정말 아름다워요.ilchuri jeongmal areumdawoyo.The sunrise is truly beautiful.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching the start of the day at a beach.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 저기 일출이 보여요.Jihun ssi, jeogi ilchuri boyeoyo.Jihun, look, the sunrise is visible over there.
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 서연 씨 말이 맞아요. 정말 예쁘네요.Wa, Seoyeon ssi mari majayo. Jeongmal yeppeuneyo.Wow, Seoyeon, you're right. It's really pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon일출을 보니까 기분이 좋아요.Ilchureul bonikka gibuni joayo.I feel good seeing the sunrise.
- 지훈 Ji-hun저도 일출을 보려고 일찍 일어났어요.Jeodo ilchureul boryeogo iljjik ireonasseoyo.I also woke up early to see the sunrise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunrise” translations and entries 일출, 해돋이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
