겨울
gyeoul[kjʌ̹uɭ]
The English word 'winter' is translated into Korean as 겨울 (gyeoul). Wiktionary also lists 동계 (donggye).
Meaning: fourth season, marked by short days and the lowest temperatures (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 겨울 | gyeoul | [kjʌ̹uɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 동계 | donggye | [ˈto̞(ː)ŋɡje̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈto̞(ː)ŋɡe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word refers to the fourth season, which is characterized by the lowest temperatures and the shortest days of the year.
Which one should you use?
겨울 is the standard word for the season.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
동계 is used in formal settings or professional terminology.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the meaning 'in winter' or 'during winter' as a time adverbial, you add the particle –에 to the noun to form 겨울에.
How do you pronounce it?
gyeoul
Did you know?
- The Middle Korean form of 겨울, written as 겨ᅀᅳᆶ, is thought by some scholars to be the linguistic ancestor of the Japanese word for February, kisaragi.
- During 겨울, many Koreans maintain the tradition of 김장, the process of preparing large quantities of kimchi to last through the cold months.
- Korean has a specific word for the 'winter solstice', 동지, where it is customary to eat red bean porridge to ward off bad luck.
Examples in context
- 그는 겨울 내내 아팠다.He was sick through the winter.This sentence shows how to use 겨울 to describe a period of time during which someone was sick.Tatoeba #13755215 by qlTmalffk, translation #301907 by CM
- 겨울 방학은 언제 시작하나요?When does your winter vacation begin?This sentence uses 겨울 to ask about the start of a winter vacation.Tatoeba #6596973 by rainbow4us, translation #4662524 by CK
- 겨울 방학은 어떻게 지냈나요?How did you spend your winter vacation?This sentence uses 겨울 to ask how someone spent their winter vacation.Tatoeba #6596977 by rainbow4us, translation #279653 by CK
- 나는 겨울이 좋아요!I love winter!
- 더워라 여름! 추워라 겨울!Hot, summer! Cold, winter!
- 한겨울에 놀러 가자!Let's go out during midwinter!
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite seasons.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨는 어느 계절을 가장 좋아해요?Subin ssineun eoneu gyejeoreul gajang joahae-yo?Subin, which season do you like the most?
- 수빈 Su-bin저는 눈이 오는 겨울이 정말 좋아요.Jeoneun nuni oneun gyeouri jeongmal joayo.I really love winter when it snows.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo겨울은 너무 추워서 힘들지 않아요?Gyeoureun neomu chuwoseo himdeulji anayo?Isn't winter too cold and difficult?
- 수빈 Su-bin추워도 겨울 분위기가 아주 낭만적이에요.Chuwodo gyeoul bunwigiga aju nangmanjeogieyo.Even if it's cold, the winter atmosphere is very romantic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “winter” translations and entries 겨울, 동계, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 겨울, 동계, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
