교통
gyotong[kjotʰo̞ŋ]
The English word "traffic" is translated into Korean as 교통 (gyotong).
교통 is a noun referring to pedestrians or vehicles on roads or on the air. While 교통 refers to traffic in a general sense, you should use more specific terms for certain situations: use 교통 체증 for a traffic jam or traffic congestion and use 교통량 when referring specifically to traffic volume.
Meaning: pedestrians or vehicles on roads or on the air (noun)
Which one should you use?
If you want to specify different types of congestion, you can use: 교통 정체 for traffic congestion, 도로 정체 for road congestion, 고속도로 정체 for highway congestion and 교차로 정체 for intersection congestion.
How do you pronounce it?
gyotong
Did you know?
- A 'traffic jam' is often called 교통 체증, where 체증 originally refers to a medical condition like indigestion or a blockage in the body.
- In Korea, the term 교통 is used in the word 교통정리, which literally means 'traffic arrangement' but is often used figuratively to mean 'sorting out a complex situation'.
- While 교통 covers air and road, the Korean word for 'traffic' in the context of internet or network data is 트래픽, a direct loanword from English.
Examples in context
- 톰은 어머님이 교통사고로 돌아가셨을 때 세 살이었어.Tom was three years old when his mother was killed in a traffic accident.This sentence is useful for seeing 교통 used in the context of a traffic accident.Tatoeba #8462384 by Eunhee, translation #8462376 by CK
- 교통이 정체되었어요.The traffic is congested.
- 교통이 장난 아니야.The traffic is no joke.
- 오늘 교통은 매우 혼잡해.Today's traffic is extremely congested.
- 이번 주말에는 도로 정체가 예상돼.Road congestion is expected this weekend.
- 이 지역은 교통이 매우 혼잡합니다.i jiyeogeun gyotong-i maeu honjaphamnida.The traffic in this area is very congested.
- 교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요.gyotong chejeung ttaemune neujeosseoyo.I was late because of the traffic jam.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are talking about a commute via bus.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 오늘 교통 상황이 어때요?Jihun ssi, oneul gyotong sanghwangi eottaeyo?Jihun, how is the traffic situation today?
- 지훈 Ji-hun도로에 교통량이 많아서 좀 막혀요.doroe gyotong-yangi manhaseo jom makhyeoyo.There is a lot of traffic on the road, so it is a bit blocked.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 버스가 늦게 도착하겠네요.Geureom beoseuga neukge dochak hagenneyo.Then the bus will arrive late.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 민지 씨도 조심히 오세요.Ne, Minji ssi do josimhi oseyo.Yes, Minji, please come safely as well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traffic” translations and entries 교통, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
