Korean Dictionary

How to say "1988 Seoul Olympics" in Korean

1988 Seoul Olympics” in Korean is 서울 올림픽 (pronounced "seoúl ollimpik").

서울 올림픽

seoúl ollimpik

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IntermediateKorean History

Usage & Context

The 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics marked Korea emergence onto the world stage. It was a symbol of Korean economic success and modernization. The games brought international attention and pride to Korea.

Example Sentence

1988년 서울 올림픽은 한국 현대사의 중요한 사건이에요.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics is an important event in Korean modern history.

How to use 서울 올림픽 naturally

Quick answer

The Korean word for “1988 Seoul Olympics” is 서울 올림픽, romanized as seoúl ollimpik.

Usage tip

Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.

Common mistake

Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 서울 올림픽.

Pronunciation Guide

"서울" (Seoul) is pronounced "SAY-ool," with "say" like the word "say" and "ool" like "pool" without the 'p'. "올림픽" (ollimpik) is pronounced "ohl-LIM-pik," with "ohl" like "all," "lim" like "limb," and "pik" like "pick." The stress is on the second syllable of "Ollimpik."

More Example Sentences

Reminiscing about a past national event.

1988년 서울 올림픽은 정말 대단했죠.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics was truly amazing, wasn't it?

Explaining the global impact of the event.

서울 올림픽 덕분에 한국이 세계에 알려졌어요.

Thanks to the Seoul Olympics, Korea became known to the world.

Sharing a fun fact about the Olympics.

서울 올림픽 마스코트가 호돌이였어요.

The Seoul Olympics mascot was Hodori.

Cultural Context

The 1988 Seoul Olympics holds a special place in the hearts of many Koreans. It was a moment of immense national pride, symbolizing Korea's emergence onto the global stage after decades of war and rapid development. The games showcased a modern, vibrant Korea to the world and are often remembered with nostalgia. The opening and closing ceremonies, the mascot Hodori, and the overall atmosphere of unity and celebration are frequently referenced in cultural discussions, representing a turning point for the nation.

Editorial note

We review entries like 서울 올림픽 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.

Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.

Common Phrases

서울 올림픽 개최

Hosting the Seoul Olympics

서울 올림픽의 영광

The glory of the Seoul Olympics

서울 올림픽 기념관

Seoul Olympics Memorial Hall

Related Expressions

올림픽 경기

ollimpik gyeonggi

Olympic Games

개막식

gaemaksik

opening ceremony

마스코트

maseukoteu

mascot

국제 행사

gukje haengsa

international event

More Korean History Words

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