Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 선크림 | seonkeurim | [s͈ʌ̹nkxɯɾim] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 자외선 차단제 | jaoeseon chadanje |
In Korean, you can refer to sunscreen using the loanword 선크림 or the technical term 자외선 차단제. To say you are applying sunscreen, you can use the phrases 선 블록을 바르다 or 선크림을 발라요. If you are at a shop and want to ask for sunscreen politely, you can say 선크림 사주세요. You might also ask about the product's components by saying 어떤 성분이 들어있나요?, which means "What ingredients does it include?"
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term 자외선 차단제 is composed of three parts: 자외선 meaning ultraviolet rays, 차단 meaning blocking or shielding and 제 meaning agent or substance.
Which one should you use?
선크림 is a common loanword from English used in everyday conversation, while 자외선 차단제 is the formal, technical term that literally means "ultraviolet ray blocking agent".
How do you pronounce it?
seonkeurim
Did you know?
- Korean consumers often look for 무기자차 or 유기자차 on sunscreen labels to distinguish between physical and chemical filters.
- In Korea, the term 선크림 is specifically a loanword from 'suncream', which is more common in British English than the American 'sunscreen'.
- The verb used with sunscreen, 바르다, is the same word used for applying lipstick, nail polish and paint.
Examples in context
- 선크림을 발랐어요.seon-keurim-eul ballasseoyo.I applied sunscreen.
- 선크림이 필요해요.seon-keurim-i piryohaeyo.I need sunscreen.
- 선크림 어디에 있어요?seon-keurim eodi-e isseoyo?Where is the sunscreen?
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are preparing for a walk at the beach.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 선크림 챙겼어요?Minjun ssi, seon-keurim chaenggyeosseoyo?Minjun, did you pack the sunscreen?
- 민준 Min-jun아니요, 깜빡했어요.aniyo, kkamppakaesseoyo.No, I forgot it.
- 수빈 Su-bin제 선크림 같이 써요.je seon-keurim gachi sseoyo.Use my sunscreen together.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워요, 수빈 씨.gomawoyo, Subin ssi.Thank you, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunscreen” translations and entries 선크림, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 선크림, 자외선, CC BY-SA 4.0.
