햇살
haetsal[hɛss͈a̠ɭ]
The English word sunshine can be translated into Korean as either 햇살 (haetsal) or 햇빛.
Meaning: direct rays of the sun (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 햇살 | haetsal | [hɛss͈a̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [hɛs͈a̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 햇빛 | haetbit | [hɛt̚p͈it̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [hɛp͈it̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
햇빛 is a neutral term used to discuss sunlight in a practical or scientific sense, such as when referring to sunlight exposure. In contrast, 햇살 is often used in poetic, literary or descriptive contexts to describe the warmth or the visual beauty of sunbeams.
Which one should you use?
햇빛 refers more to the physical phenomenon of sunlight or the light itself, whereas 햇살 refers more to the rays or the feeling of the sunbeams.
How do you pronounce it?
haetsal
Did you know?
- The word 살 in 햇살 is the same word used for 'flesh' or 'skin'. In this context, it describes the sun as having a physical, tactile body in the form of beams.
- If you want to describe 'sunlight' in a way that emphasizes the warmth hitting your skin, you might use 햇볕 instead. While 햇빛 is the light you see, 햇볕 is the heat you feel.
- In both 햇빛 and 햇살, the small letter ㅅ is an archaic grammatical marker used to connect two native words. It acts as a bridge that has survived through centuries of linguistic evolution.
Examples in context
- 오늘 해가 아름답게 빛나요The sun shines beautifully today.
- 햇살이 너무 좋다The sunshine is so nice.
- 너는 햇살 같은 사람이야You are a person like sunshine.
- 창가에 따스한 햇살이 들어와요.chang-ga-e tta-seu-han haet-sal-i deu-reo-wa-yo.Warm sunshine is coming through the window.
- 오늘 햇살이 정말 눈부셔요.o-neul haet-sal-i jeong-mal nun-bu-syeo-yo.The sunshine is really dazzling today.
- 나뭇잎 사이로 햇살이 비치네요.na-mut-ip sa-i-ro haet-sal-i bi-chi-ne-yo.The sunshine is shining through the leaves.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-woo are sitting in a cafe by the window.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 여기 햇살이 너무 좋아요.Hyeon-u ssi, yeogi haessari neomu joayo.Hyeon-woo, the sunshine is so lovely here.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요. 정말 평화로운 분위기네요.majayo. jeongmal pyeonghwaroun bunwigineyo.You're right. It's such a peaceful atmosphere.
- 지은 Ji-eun햇살 덕분에 기분이 좋아졌어요.haessal deokbune gibuni joajyeosseoyo.I feel better thanks to the sunshine.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저도요. 여기서 조금 더 쉬어요.jeodoyo. yeogiseo jogeum deo swieoyo.Me too. Let's rest here a bit longer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunshine” translations and entries 햇살, 햇빛, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 햇빛, 햇살, CC BY-SA 4.0.
