Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 업로드하다 | eopnodeuhada | |
| 올리다 | ollida | [o̞ʎʎida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms are used to describe the process of transferring data to a server or the internet. 업로드하다 is a loanword-based term used specifically in technical or digital contexts, while 올리다 is a more natural, native Korean way to say 'to upload' or 'to post' something online, such as a photo or a post, in daily conversation. The nouns 업로드 and 올리기 both refer to the act of a file transfer.
What does it mean word for word?
The native verb 올리다 literally means 'to raise' or 'to lift up', which is why it is used metaphorically for uploading files to a server.
Which one should you use?
업로드하다 is a technical term derived from the English loanword, whereas 올리다 is a native Korean verb. 올리다 feels more natural for daily speech when talking about posting content online.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of the native verb 올리다 is 올렸어요.
How do you pronounce it?
eopnodeuhada
Did you know?
- In Korean, the opposite of 'uploading' is not just 'downloading', but can be expressed as 내리다, which means 'to lower' or 'to bring down'.
- Using 올리다 can sometimes sound more polite or respectful depending on the context, as the word is used in honorific speech to 'raise' or 'offer' something to a superior.
- The word 올리다 appears in the Yongbi eocheon'ga, a poem written in 1447 that celebrates the founding of the Joseon Dynasty.
Examples in context
- 협업 문서를 업로드하려면 이 버튼을 클릭해주세요.Please click this button to upload the collaborative document.
- 새로운 사진을 올렸어.I uploaded a new picture.
- 사진을 블로그에 업로드하다.sajineul beulloge uprodeuhada.Upload photos to a blog.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are working on a project together.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 자료 업로드하다가 오류 났어요.Seoyeon ssi, jaryo eom-rodeuhadaga oryu nasseoyo.Seoyeon, I got an error while uploading the data.
- 서연 Seo-yeon인터넷 연결을 확인해 보세요.inteonet yeongyeoreul hwaginhae boseyo.Please check your internet connection.
- 민준 Min-jun다시 업로드하다 보니 이제 돼요.dasi eom-rodeuhada boni ije dwaeyo.It's working now that I tried uploading it again.
- 서연 Seo-yeon다행이네요. 빨리 제출해요.dahaeng-ineyo. ppalli jechulhaeyo.That's a relief. Let's submit it quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “upload” translations and entries 올리다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 올리다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
