Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 걷기 | geotgi | [ˈkɘ(ː)t̚k͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 보행 | bohaeng | [ˈpo̞(ː)ɦɛŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈpo̞(ː)ɦe̞ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 걷기 is a gerund used to describe the act of walking. In different contexts, such as leisure or pet care, other specific expressions are used. For example, to say "walking the dog," you would use 강아지 산책시키다, and to ask "Would you like to go for a walk?", you would say 산책 좀 할래요?
What does it mean word for word?
The word 걷기 is formed by taking the verb stem 걷- (to walk) and adding the nominalizing suffix -기, which turns the verb into a noun or gerund.
Which one should you use?
While 걷기 refers to the general act of walking, 보행 is a more technical term used to describe pedestrian movement, such as in medical reports or traffic laws.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 걷기만 해도 can be used to mean "even just walking." This is constructed by combining the gerund 걷기 with the particle -만 (only) and the form -해도 (even if/even though).
How do you pronounce it?
geotgi
Did you know?
- The verb stem 걷- is a homonym in Korean. Depending on the context, it can mean 'to walk' or 'to roll up' something, such as sleeves or a carpet.
- In Korean, 'walking the dog' 강아지 산책시키다 uses a causative verb form. This literally translates to 'making the dog take a stroll' rather than the human doing the walking.
- Because 보행 is a Sino-Korean word, it sounds much more formal and authoritative than the native Korean 걷기.
Examples in context
- 누구랑 같이 있으면 아무것도 안 하고 걷기만 해도 좋아.If I'm with someone, even just walking without doing anything is nice.This sentence is useful for expressing how even the simple act of 걷기 is enjoyable when accompanied by someone.Tatoeba #13907498 by Lumi, translation #13907500 by Lumi
- 친구와 함께 걷기 좋은 공원에 갔어요.I went to a nice park for a walk with my friend.
- 맑은 날씨에 산책하는 것은 정말 좋아요.Going for a walk on a clear day is really enjoyable.
- 오늘은 운동할 겸 걸어가자.Let's walk as a form of exercise today.
- 집 근처 공원에서 잠깐 산책하고 올게.I'll take a short walk in the park near my house and come back.
- 공원에서 걷기 운동을 하고 있어요.Gongwoneseo geotgi undongeul hago isseoyo.I am doing walking exercises in the park.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are talking about their exercise routines.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨는 운동 뭐 하세요?Minjun ssineun undong mwo haseyo?What exercise do you do, Minjun?
- 민준 Min-jun저는 가볍게 걷기를 좋아해요.jeoneun gabyeopge geodgireul joahae-yo.I like light walking.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 저도 걷기 좋아해요.jeongmalyo? jeodo geodgi joahae-yo.Really? I like walking too.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 같이 공원을 걸을까요?geureom gati gongwoneul georeulkkayo?Then shall we walk in the park together?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “walking” translations and entries 걷기, 보행, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
