Korean Holidays & Festivals Words & Phrases
Korean holidays and festivals are rich with tradition, food, and family. From Seollal (Lunar New Year) to Chuseok (Harvest Festival), understanding the vocabulary around these celebrations gives you insight into Korean values and customs. These terms help you participate meaningfully in Korean seasonal events.
100 words
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세뱃돈
sebaetdon
New Year Cash Gift
Beginner송편
songpyeon
Songpyeon (Half-Moon Rice Cake)
Intermediate떡국
tteokguk
Tteokguk (New Year Rice Cake Soup)
Beginner제사
jesa
Jesa (Ancestral Rites)
Advanced차례
charye
Charye (Holiday Ancestral Rites)
Advanced광복절
gwangbokjeol
Liberation Day
Intermediate어린이날
eorininal
Children's Day
Beginner어버이날
eobeoi nal
Parents' Day
Beginner스승의 날
seseungui nal
Teacher's Day
Beginner발렌타인 데이
balrentain dei
Valentine's Day (Korean style)
Beginner블랙 데이
beullaek dei
Black Day
Intermediate크리스마스
keuriseumaseu
Christmas
Beginner신정
sinjeong
New Year's Day
Intermediate정월대보름
jeongwol daeboreum
Daeboreum (First Full Moon Festival)
Advanced부럼
bureum
Buram (Nut Cracking Ritual)
Advanced오곡밥
ogokbap
Five Grain Rice
Advanced삼일절
samil jeol
March 1st Independence Movement Day
Intermediate개천절
gaecheonjol
National Foundation Day
Advanced한글날
hangeullal
Hangeul Day
Intermediate국군의 날
gukgun ui nal
Armed Forces Day
Advanced연등회
yeondunghoe
Lotus Lantern Festival
Advanced부처님 오신 날
bucheonim osin nal
Buddha's Birthday
Intermediate현충일
hyeonchungil
Memorial Day
Intermediate단오
dano
Dano Festival
Advanced돌잔치
doljanchi
First Birthday Celebration
Intermediate돌잡이
doljabi
Doljabi (Birthday Fortune Ritual)
Advanced환갑
hwangap
Hwangap (60th Birthday)
Advanced백일
baegil
Baegil (100th Day Celebration)
Intermediate기제도
gijedo
Gijedo (Memorial Flag Day)
Advanced카네이션
kaneisyon
Carnation
Beginner불꽃놀이
bulkkotnori
Fireworks
Beginner등불
deungbul
Lantern
Beginner씨름
ssireum
Ssireum (Korean Wrestling)
Advanced그네뛰기
geunetuigi
Traditional Swing (Geunetuigi)
Intermediate축하합니다
chukha hamnida
Congratulations
Beginner명절 귀성길
myeongjeol gwisonggil
Holiday Traffic
Intermediate명절 선물세트
myeongjeol seolmul set
Holiday Gift Set
Intermediate보름달
boreumtal
Full Moon
Beginner음력
eumnyeok
Lunar Calendar
Intermediate양력
yangnyeok
Solar Calendar
Intermediate명절 상여금
myeongjeol sangyeogeum
Holiday Bonus
Advanced전통 놀이
jeontong nori
Traditional Games
Beginner윷놀이
yutnori
Yutnori (Traditional Board Game)
Beginner제기차기
jegi chagi
Jegichagi (Shuttlecock Kicking)
Intermediate널뛰기
neolttuigi
Neolttuigi (Seesaw Jumping)
Advanced연날리기
yeon nalligi
Kite Flying
Intermediate태극기
taegukgi
Korean National Flag
Beginner제상
jesang
Jesa Table
Advanced향
hyang
Incense
Intermediate절
jeol
Deep Bow
Intermediate세배
sebae
Yebae (Respectful Bow)
Beginner명절 음식
myeongjeol eumsik
Chuseok Food
Intermediate전
jeon
Jeon (Korean Pancake)
Beginner수정과
sujeonggwa
Sujeonggwa (Cinnamon Punch)
Intermediate축제 퍼레이드
chukje peoraid
Festival Parade
Beginner탈춤
talchum
Mask Dance
Advanced풍물
pungmul
Pungmul (Farmer's Music)
Advanced어른께 절
eoreunke jeol
Bowing to Elders
Beginner조상
josang
Ancestral Spirit
Intermediate추수감사절
chusu gamsajol
Harvest Festival
Intermediate새해 복 많이 받으세요
saehae bok mani badeuseyo
New Year Greeting
Beginner풍성한 한가위 되세요
pungseonghan hangawi doeseyo
Chuseok Greeting
Intermediate축의금
chuguigeum
Congratulatory Gift
Intermediate부의금
buigeum
Condolence Money
Advanced폐백
pyebaek
Pyebaek (Traditional Wedding Ceremony)
Advanced장례식
jangnyesik
Funeral
Advanced백일기념일
baegil ginyeomil
100-Day Anniversary
Intermediate연인의 날
yeonin ui nal
Couple's Day
Intermediate졸업식
joreopssik
Graduation Ceremony
Beginner새해 다짐
saehae dajim
New Year Resolution
Beginner해돋이
haedoji
New Year Sunrise Viewing
Intermediate명절 연휴
myeongjeol yeonhyu
Holiday Vacation
Beginner귀성
gwiseong
Hometown Return
Intermediate로즈 데이
rojeu dei
Bread Day (Rose Day)
Beginner무비 데이
mubi dei
Movie Day
Beginner결혼기념일
gyeolhon ginyeomil
Wedding Anniversary
Beginner성년의 날
seongnyeon ui nal
Coming of Age Day
Intermediate유두
yudu
Yudu (Summer Bathing Festival)
Advanced동지
dongji
Dongji (Winter Solstice)
Intermediate팥죽
patjuk
Patjuk (Red Bean Porridge)
Intermediate국경일
gukgyeongil
National Holiday
Beginner공휴일
gonghyuil
Public Holiday
Beginner대체 공휴일
daechе gonghyuil
Substitute Holiday
Intermediate정
jeong
Jeong (Deep Bond)
Advanced생일 케이크
saengil keiku
Birthday Cake
Beginner생일 축하 노래
saengil chukha norae
Happy Birthday Song
Beginner미역국
miyeokguk
Seaweed Soup (Birthday Soup)
Beginner명절 분위기
myeongjeol bunwigi
Holiday Spirit
Beginner명절 준비
myeongjeol junbi
Holiday Preparation
Intermediate제물
jemul
Ceremonial Food Offering
Advanced한가위
hangawi
Harvest Moon
Advanced김장
kimjang
Kimjang (Kimchi Making Season)
Intermediate독립운동가
dongnip undongga
Independence Activist
Advanced헌화
heonhwa
Memorial Wreath
Intermediate애국가
aegukga
National Anthem
Intermediate풍등
pungdeung
Sky Lantern
Intermediate신위
sinwi
Spirit Tablet
Advanced국악 축제
gugak chukje
Traditional Music Festival
Intermediate명절 장터
myeongjeol jangteo
Holiday Market
Beginner봄 축제
bom chukje
Spring Festival
BeginnerUnderstanding Korean culture often begins with its vibrant holidays and festivals, offering a window into the nation's rich traditions and values. For Korean language learners, grasping the vocabulary associated with these celebrations is not just about memorizing words, it is about unlocking deeper cultural insights. Knowing these terms allows you to participate meaningfully in conversations, comprehend Korean media, and truly appreciate the customs that shape daily life. Imagine discussing Lunar New Year without knowing about 떡국 (tteokguk), the traditional rice cake soup eaten for good luck, or the joy of receiving 세뱃돈 (sebaetdon), the New Year cash gift. These seemingly simple words carry immense cultural weight, reflecting centuries of shared history and communal practice. Beyond the major traditional holidays like Seollal and Chuseok, where families gather for ancestral rites like 차례 (charye) and share 송편 (songpyeon), Korea also observes significant national days and unique modern celebrations. For instance, 광복절 (gwangbokjeol), Liberation Day, is a powerful reminder of the nation's journey to independence. Even contemporary observances like 블랙 데이 (beullaek dei), a day for singles to gather and eat black bean noodles, offer fascinating glimpses into modern Korean social dynamics. By learning these specific terms, you gain the linguistic tools to navigate various social situations, from wishing someone well during a festival to understanding historical narratives. This vocabulary is essential for anyone seeking a truly immersive and respectful experience of Korean culture.
Start with these holidays & festivals words
These entries give you the fastest route into this category: the Korean term, how it is pronounced, and the kind of real sentence where it appears.
세뱃돈
sebaetdon
New Year Cash Gift
세뱃돈 is the money given by elders to younger family members after they perform the traditional New Year bow (세배) on 설날. The amount given varies based on the relationship and age of the recipient and can be a significant sum for children. Many Korean children eagerly anticipate 세뱃돈 and save it in their piggy banks or bank accounts.
송편
songpyeon
Songpyeon (Half-Moon Rice Cake)
송편 is a traditional Korean rice cake made with rice flour and stuffed with sesame seeds, red beans, or chestnuts. Making 송편 together as a family on the eve of 추석 is a beloved Korean tradition. According to Korean tradition making beautiful 송편 means you will have beautiful children.
떡국
tteokguk
Tteokguk (New Year Rice Cake Soup)
떡국 is a traditional Korean soup made with sliced oval rice cakes in a clear broth typically eaten on 설날. The oval shape of the rice cakes symbolizes coins representing wishes for prosperity in the new year. Eating 떡국 on 설날 is said to add one year to your age in the traditional Korean age counting system.
제사
jesa
Jesa (Ancestral Rites)
제사 is a Korean Confucian ritual held to honor deceased ancestors by offering food, bowing, and praying. Korean families hold 제사 on the anniversary of an ancestor's death and on major holidays like 설날 and 추석. The elaborate preparation of 제사 food follows traditional protocols with specific dishes arranged in a precise order.
차례
charye
Charye (Holiday Ancestral Rites)
차례 is a simplified form of 제사 performed on major Korean holidays especially 설날 and 추석. The 차례 table is set with seasonal foods and offerings placed before the ancestors' photographs or memorial tablets. After 차례 the family bows to elders and shares the food as a communal meal called 음복.
광복절
gwangbokjeol
Liberation Day
광복절 on August 15th commemorates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. It is one of the most important national holidays in Korea celebrated with flag displays, events, and cultural programs. The word 광복 means the restoration of light and symbolizes the return of Korean sovereignty.
어린이날
eorininal
Children's Day
어린이날 on May 5th is a national holiday in Korea dedicated to children's wellbeing and happiness. Korean parents traditionally take their children to amusement parks, zoos, and special events on 어린이날. The day was established by children's rights advocate Sopa Bang Jeong-hwan in 1922.
어버이날
eobeoi nal
Parents' Day
어버이날 on May 8th is a Korean holiday honoring both parents combining mother's and father's day into one celebration. Children traditionally pin carnations on their parents' chests and perform deep bows to express gratitude. Many Korean families have meals together and give gifts or money to elderly parents on 어버이날.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important traditional Korean holidays to know?+
The two biggest traditional holidays are Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). During Seollal, families gather, eat 떡국 (tteokguk), and children receive 세뱃돈 (sebaetdon). Chuseok involves ancestor worship with 차례 (charye) and sharing 송편 (songpyeon). These are crucial for understanding Korean family culture.
How do Koreans celebrate New Year's Day, both lunar and solar?+
Koreans celebrate both. Solar New Year is a public holiday, often marked with family time. Lunar New Year, Seollal, is more significant. Families perform ancestral rites like 제사 (jesa), eat 떡국 (tteokguk) for good luck, and children bow to elders for 세뱃돈 (sebaetdon). It is a time for family reunion.
What is Black Day in Korea, and how is it celebrated?+
Black Day (블랙 데이, beullaek dei) is on April 14th, a unique Korean unofficial holiday. It's for singles who didn't receive gifts on Valentine's Day or White Day. They typically gather with other single friends and eat jjajangmyeon, a black bean noodle dish, to commiserate and enjoy each other's company.
Are there specific holidays for children or parents in Korea?+
Yes, Korea has dedicated days. Children's Day (어린이날, eorininal) on May 5th is a public holiday celebrating children with gifts and outings. Parents' Day (어버이날, eobeoi nal) on May 8th is for honoring parents, often with carnations and gifts, though it's not a public holiday. Teacher's Day is also observed.
What is the significance of Liberation Day in Korea?+
Liberation Day (광복절, gwangbokjeol) on August 15th is a major national holiday. It commemorates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. It's a day of national pride, marked by flag displays and ceremonies, celebrating the restoration of sovereignty and independence. It's a crucial historical observance.
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