교통 체증
gyotong chejeung[kjotʰo̞ŋ t͡ɕʰe̞d͡ʑɯŋ]
The English phrase "traffic jam" is translated into Korean as 교통 체증 (gyotong chejeung). Wiktionary also lists 교통 혼잡 (gyotong honjap).
Meaning: situation in which all road traffic is stationary or very slow (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 교통 체증 | gyotong chejeung | [kjotʰo̞ŋ t͡ɕʰe̞d͡ʑɯŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 교통 혼잡 | gyotong honjap |
The term refers to a situation where road traffic is stationary or moving very slowly. While the nouns 교통 체증 and 교통 혼잡 are used in formal contexts, in daily conversation, people more commonly use the verbal phrase 차가 막히다 to say that traffic is heavy or cars are blocked.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 교통 체증 is composed of 교통, meaning traffic and 체증, meaning congestion or stoppage.
Which one should you use?
교통 체증 emphasizes the actual stoppage or blockage of movement. In contrast, 교통 혼잡 emphasizes the state of being crowded or congested. Both can be used interchangeably to describe heavy traffic conditions.
How do you pronounce it?
gyotong chejeung
Did you know?
- The word 체증 in 교통 체증 is also used in medicine to describe a feeling of indigestion or a 'stuck' sensation in the stomach.
- When talking about a traffic jam, Koreans may use the word 헬게이트 (Hellgate) in slang to describe a road that has become an absolute nightmare.
- In the common phrase 차가 막히다, the word 막히다 can also mean that a nose is stuffed or a drain is clogged.
Examples in context
- 교통체증이 많이 발생해서 지각했어요.There was a severe traffic jam, so I was late.
- 교통 체증이 너무 심해요.gyotong chejeungi neomu simhaeyo.The traffic jam is too severe.
- 교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요.gyotong chejeung ttaemune neujeosseoyo.I was late because of the traffic jam.
- 퇴근 시간에는 교통 체증이 발생해요.toegeun siganeneun gyotong chejeungi balsaenghaeyo.Traffic jams occur during commuting hours.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a late arrival.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 왜 이렇게 늦었어요?Dohyeon ssi, wae ireoke neujeosseoyo?Dohyeon, why are you so late?
- 도현 Do-hyeon교통 체증 때문에 차가 많이 막혔어요.gyotong chejeung ttaemune chaga mani makhyeosseoyo.The traffic jam made the cars move very slowly.
- 서연 Seo-yeon오늘 교통 체증이 유독 심하네요.oneul gyotong chejeungi yudok simhaneyo.The traffic jam is particularly bad today.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 정말 힘들었어요.ne, jeongmal himdeureosseoyo.Yes, it was really tough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traffic jam” translations and entries 교통 체증, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
