내일
naeil[nɛiɭ]
The English word "tomorrow" is 내일 (naeil) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 래일 (raeil).
Meaning: on the day after the present day (adv)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 내일 | naeil | [nɛiɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ne̞iɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 래일 | raeil | North Korea |
내일 is an adverb used to refer to the day after the present day. It can also function as a noun meaning the same thing.
Which one should you use?
While 내일 is the standard word for "tomorrow" used in daily conversation, 명일 is an alternative noun used in formal written contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
래일 is the form used in the North Korean dialect instead of the South Korean 내일.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
naeil
Did you know?
- Korean has distinct words for 'the day after tomorrow' (모레) and 'three days from now' (글피), creating a more precise sequence of future days than English.
- The word 내일 is built from two Hanja characters: one meaning 'to come' and the other meaning 'day'.
- Ancient Middle Korean used a different form, ᄂᆡᅀᅵᆯ, which evolved into the modern 내일.
Examples in context
- 나 내일 집에 없어.I am not at home tomorrow.This sentence is useful for saying you will not be at home using 내일.Tatoeba #10788984 by svawbodah, translation #7803072 by sharris123
- 나 내일 톰 만나려고.I'll meet Tom tomorrow.This sentence is useful for describing a plan to meet someone using 내일.Tatoeba #4749600 by kimhkng, translation #2546675 by CK
- 내일 학교에 갈 거야?Are you going to school tomorrow?This sentence is useful for asking about future plans for school using 내일.Tatoeba #8394173 by Eunhee, translation #68900 by CK
- 내일 봐요!See you tomorrow!
- 내일은 가족과 함께 보내기로 했어.We decided to spend tomorrow with family.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans for the following day.
- 서연 Seo-yeon내일 뭐 할 거야?naeil mwo hal geoya?What are you doing tomorrow?
- 지훈 Ji-hun나 내일 도서관에 갈 거야.na naeil doseogwane gal geoya.I am going to the library tomorrow.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈아, 같이 갈래?ji-hun-a, gatchi gallae?Jihun, do you want to go together?
- 지훈 Ji-hun그래, 내일 같이 가자.geurae, naeil gatchi gaja.Sure, let's go together tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tomorrow” translations and entries 내일, 래일, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내일, 래일, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
