Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 서쪽 | seojjok | [sʰʌ̹t͡ɕ͈o̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 서 | seo | [sʰʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰɘ(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 하늬 | hanui | [ha̠ni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term for the compass point west can be expressed in several ways depending on the context. 서쪽 is the standard noun for the direction, while 서 is often used as a root in formal or literary compounds. In specific poetic contexts, 하늬 is associated with the west, particularly when referring to the west wind (하늬바람). Additionally, when referring to the Western Bloc or Western Europe, the terms 서구 or 서구권 are used.
Which one should you use?
서쪽 is the common noun for the direction 'west'. In contrast, the single syllable 서 is typically used as a prefix or within formal and literary compound words. The term 하늬 is a more specialized, archaic or poetic term specifically linked to the west wind.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express movement 'towards the west' or 'to the west', you can add the particle 으로 to the noun to form 서쪽으로. For the specific direction of due west, use 정서쪽.
How do you pronounce it?
seojjok
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean cosmology, the direction 서쪽 is associated with the element of metal and the color white.
- Ancient Koreans used the term 하늬 to describe winds from the west, which were traditionally seen as bringing dry weather before the autumn harvest.
- The word 서 is a homonym with several different meanings, including 'government office' and the number 'three' in Middle Korean.
Examples in context
- 톰은 서쪽으로 갔다.Tom went west.This sentence shows Tom moving in the direction of 서.Tatoeba #11106738 by intertime, translation #1140875 by CK
- 일몰은 서쪽에서 예뻐요.The sunset is beautiful in the west.
- 우리 집은 역의 서쪽에 있어요.My house is on the west side of the station.
- 바람은 서쪽에서 불어와요.The wind is blowing from the west.
- 서쪽 하늘이 아주 붉어요.seojjok haneuri aju bulgeoyo.The western sky is very red.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching the sunset at a park.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 서쪽 하늘을 좀 보세요.Jihun ssi, seojjok haneulreul jom boseyo.Jihun, look at the western sky.
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 정말 아름답네요, 수빈 씨.Wa, jeongmal areumdapneyo, Subin ssi.Wow, it is truly beautiful, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin해가 서쪽으로 지고 있어요.Haega seojjogeuro jigo isseoyo.The sun is setting in the west.
- 지훈 Ji-hun풍경이 정말 멋져요.Punggyeongi jeongmal meotjyeoyo.The scenery is really wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “west” translations and entries 서쪽, 서, 하늬, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 서, 서쪽, 하늬, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
