속옷
sogot[ˈsʰo̞(ː)ɡo̞t̚]
The English phrase 'underwear' is translated into Korean as 속옷 (sogot).
속옷 is the standard noun used to describe clothes worn next to the skin. While it covers all types of underwear, the term 란제리 is used specifically when referring to lingerie or fancy underwear.
Meaning: clothes worn next to the skin (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 속옷 is a compound of 속, meaning 'inside' and 옷, meaning 'clothes', literally translating to 'inside clothes'.
Which one should you use?
속옷 is the common term for underwear, whereas 내의 is a more formal or technical term often found in retail settings or clothing descriptions. Additionally, 란제리 is reserved for lingerie or more decorative pieces.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 속옷 as the object of a verb, such as when saying 'to wear underwear', you should add the object marker -을 to the noun, forming 속옷을.
How do you pronounce it?
sogot
Did you know?
- In Korean, the term for 'undershirt' is often 속옷 as well, but if you are specifically talking about a shirt worn under another, people frequently use 런닝 (running), which comes from the English word 'running' shirt.
- When talking about the 'inside' part of 속옷, the word 속 can also refer to one's inner heart or true feelings in emotional contexts.
- In traditional Korean culture, the historical version of 속옷 included a wide variety of layers, such as the 속곳, which were complex wraps designed to create a voluminous silhouette for the outer dress.
Examples in context
- 속옷을 사러 가야 해요.I need to go buy underwear.
- 오늘은 화이트 속옷을 입었어요.I wore white underwear today.
- 저는 속옷을 세탁하러 가야겠어요.I need to go do laundry for my underwear.
- 어제 쇼핑에서 예쁜 팬티를 샀어요.Yesterday, I bought cute underwear while shopping.
- 팬티를 빨래통에 넣으세요.Please put the panties in the laundry basket.
- 속옷을 새로 샀어요.sogot-eul saero sasseoyo.I bought new underwear.
- 속옷은 편한 게 좋아요.sogot-eun pyeonhan ge joayo.Comfortable underwear is best.
- 속옷을 세탁기에 넣으세요.sogot-eul setakgie neouseyo.Put the underwear in the washing machine.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are packing for a trip.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 속옷 챙겼어요?Hyeonu ssi, sogot chaenggyeosseoyo?Hyunwoo, did you pack your underwear?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 깜빡했어요. 지금 챙길게요.a, kkamppakhaesseoyo. jigeum chaenggilgeyo.Oh, I forgot. I'll pack it now.
- 민지 Min-ji충분히 가져가세요.chungbunhi gajyeogaseyo.Please take enough.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 알겠어요. 고마워요.ne, algesseoyo. gomawoyo.Yes, I understand. Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “underwear” translations and entries 속옷, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
