Whether you’re planning a trip to South Korea or simply want to expand your Korean vocabulary, knowing how to say “weekend” is an essential part of everyday conversation. In this guide, we will explore both the formal and informal ways to express “weekend” in Korean, along with some useful tips, examples, and regional variations. So let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Weekend” in Korean:
1. 주말 (Jumal): When it comes to formal situations, the most common and widely used term for “weekend” is 주말 (jumal). This is a straightforward and formal word that is universally understood all across Korea.
TIP: Remember to pronounce “주말” as “joo-mal” with equal stress on both syllables.
Here are a few examples of how to use 주말 in a formal context:
- 저는 주말에 가족과 함께 시간을 보내요. (Jeoneun jumal-e gajokgwa hamkke siganeul bonaeyo.)
- 주말에 약속이 있어서 바쁠 거예요. (Jumal-e yaksogi isseoseo bappeul geoyeyo.)
Informal Ways to Say “Weekend” in Korean:
1. 주말 (Jumal): Surprisingly, the formal term “주말” is also frequently used in informal conversations. Koreans often use this word casually among friends, family, and coworkers, regardless of the situation.
2. 주늘 (Junel): Another informal term for “weekend” is 주늘 (junel). This expression, although not as common as 주말, is still perfectly acceptable in informal settings.
TIP: Remember to pronounce “주늘” as “joo-nel” with the same equal stress on both syllables.
Here are a few examples of how to use 주말 and 주늘 in an informal context:
- 주말에 영화 보러 갈래? (Jumal-e yeonghwa boreo gallae?) – Do you want to go watch a movie on the weekend?
- 오늘은 주말이라 그냥 쉬고 싶어. (Oneureun jumalira geunyang swigo sip-eo) – It’s the weekend today, so I just want to relax.
- 주늘은 아무 계획 없이 집에서 푹 쉬기로 했어. (Junel-eun amu gyehoe geom-i jib-eseo puk swigi’ro haess-eo.) – Today, I decided to stay home and relax without any plans for the weekend.
Regional Variations:
While the terms mentioned above are widely used all over Korea, it’s worth noting that some regional variations exist. These variations are not entirely different words but rather unique expressions that certain regions use to refer to the weekend.
1. 토요일 (Toyoil) / 일요일 (Iryoil): In some regions, especially in North Korea, people may use the terms “토요일” (toyoil) to mean Saturday and “일요일” (iryoil) to mean Sunday when referring to the weekend.
2. 개어렵게 (Gaeoryeobge): This regional expression is mostly used in the Jeolla Province of South Korea. However, it is considered informal and not commonly used in daily conversations.
Final Thoughts:
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of how to say “weekend” in Korean, you can confidently navigate all sorts of situations, whether formal or informal. Remember that 주말 (jumal) is the commonly used term for both formal and informal contexts, while 주늘 (junel) is mostly used informally. Understanding regional variations can also be helpful if you encounter them during your travels in Korea.
Expand your Korean vocabulary, enjoy your weekends, and make meaningful connections with native Korean speakers using these expressions. Happy learning!
