방학
banghak[pa̠ŋɦa̠k̚]
The Korean word for vacation is 방학 (banghak).
방학 refers specifically to academic breaks, such as summer or winter breaks, for students.
Meaning: period of leisure time (noun)
Which one should you use?
방학 is used exclusively for school vacations. In contrast, 휴가 is the term used for vacations or leave taken by employees or adults from work.
How do you pronounce it?
banghak
Did you know?
- In Korea, the period of 방학 is often not a true break, as many students attend private academies called hagwons for more hours than they spend in school.
- The characters in 방학 literally mean 'releasing' or 'liberating' one's 'learning'.
- While 방학 is for students, adults use 휴가, which originates from the idea of 'resting the body' rather than 'stopping the study'.
Examples in context
- 아직 방학이 조금 남았다.I still have some vacation days left.This sentence shows how to express that some vacation days remain.Tatoeba #11107500 by intertime, translation #9488841 by CK
- 겨울 방학은 언제 시작하나요?When does your winter vacation begin?This sentence is useful for asking when a winter vacation begins.Tatoeba #6596973 by rainbow4us, translation #4662524 by CK
- 겨울 방학은 어떻게 지냈나요?How did you spend your winter vacation?This sentence is useful for asking how someone spent their winter vacation.Tatoeba #6596977 by rainbow4us, translation #279653 by CK
- 나는 1주일 동안 휴가를 갖고 싶어요.I want to take a one-week vacation.
- 방학 때 여행을 갈 거야?Do you plan to travel during the school vacation?
- 휴가 때 친구들과 함께 해변으로 갈 거야.I'm going to the beach with my friends during vacation.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their plans for the upcoming break.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨는 이번 방학에 뭐 할 거예요?Jieun ssineun ibeon banghage mwo hal geoyeyo?Jieun, what are you going to do this vacation?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 집에서 푹 쉴 생각이에요.Jeoneun jibeseo puk swil saenggagieyo.I'm thinking of getting plenty of rest at home.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저도 이번 방학에는 정말 쉬고 싶어요.Jeodo ibeon banghaneun jeongmal swigo sipeoyo.I really want to rest this vacation too.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 우리 같이 푹 쉽시다!Geureom uri gati puk swipsida!Then let's both get some good rest!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 방학, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 방학, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
