오늘
oneul[o̞nɯɭ]
In Korean, the English phrase 'today' is expressed as 오늘 (oneul). Wiktionary also lists 금일 (geumil).
Meaning: on the current day (adv)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 오늘 | oneul | [o̞nɯɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 금일 | geumil | [kɯmiɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | formal |
Both 오늘 and 금일 function as the adverb 'today' or the noun 'today', referring to the current day.
Which one should you use?
오늘 is the common, everyday way to say today in both spoken and written Korean.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
오늘 is the standard and most commonly used word for today. 금일 is a formal word commonly used in written language or official documents.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the possessive 'today's' (for example, 'today's goal'), you add the particle 의 to 오늘 to form 오늘의.
How do you pronounce it?
oneul
Did you know?
- In modern South Korea, there is a recurring social misunderstanding where younger people mistake the formal 금일 for 'Friday' because the sounds are similar.
- The word 오늘 literally carries the hidden meaning of 'the day that has come', derived from an ancient form meaning 'which has come'.
- Because 금일 is so formal, using it in a text message to a friend can be interpreted as a joke or a way of acting like a strict boss.
Examples in context
- 오늘 우리 각자 냅시다.Let's pay separately today.The sentence using 오늘 is useful for discussing paying for things separately.Tatoeba #4042348 by intratech, translation #8405619 by Ergulis
- 그게 내 오늘의 목표야.That's my goal today.The sentence using 오늘 is useful for talking about a goal for the day.Tatoeba #8533749 by Eunhee, translation #8511292 by CK
- 나는 오늘 도쿄에 있다.I am in Tokyo today.The sentence using 오늘 is useful for stating your current location.Tatoeba #11106354 by intertime, translation #257596 by CK
- 오늘은 무엇을 할 거예요?What are you going to do today?
- 금일 회의는 취소되었습니다.Today's meeting has been canceled.
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyeon are talking about their plans at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 오늘 시간 있어요?Dohyeon ssi, oneul sigan isseoyo?Dohyeon, do you have time today?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 오늘 오후에는 괜찮아요.Ne, oneul ohueneun gwaenchanayo.Yes, I am free this afternoon today.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 같이 커피 마셔요.Geureom gachi keopi masyeoyo.Then let's drink coffee together.
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요, 서연 씨.Joayo, Seoyeon ssi.Sounds good, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “today” translations and entries 오늘, 금일, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 금일, 오늘, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
