Korean Dictionary
How to say "Auction" in Korean
“Auction” in Korean is 경매 (pronounced "gyeong-mae").
경매
gyeong-mae
Usage & Context
경매 is an auction where items are sold to the highest bidder. Online auctions are popular in Korea for buying and selling various items.
Example Sentence
경매에 참여했어요.
I participated in an auction.
How to use 경매 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Auction” is 경매, romanized as gyeong-mae.
Usage tip
Shopping Korean usually sounds more natural when you use short polite questions instead of translating English directly.
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 경매.
Pronunciation Guide
"경매" (gyeong-mae) is pronounced with "경" sounding like "gyung" in "young" but starting with a 'g' sound. "매" sounds like "mae" in "maestro" or similar to "my" but with an 'e' sound. The stress is relatively even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Expressing a personal hobby or area of interest.
미술품 경매에 관심이 많아요.
I'm very interested in art auctions.
Sharing a successful and unique purchase experience.
온라인 경매로 희귀 아이템을 샀어요.
I bought a rare item through an online auction.
Discussing real estate news or property sales.
그 집은 경매로 나왔다고 들었어요.
I heard that house went up for auction.
Cultural Context
"경매" in Korea encompasses a broad spectrum, from high-value art and antique auctions to more common real estate and car auctions. While online auction sites were very popular in the early 2000s, specialized online auctions for collectibles or unique items continue to thrive. The term is also frequently heard in K-dramas when characters deal with valuable assets or property disputes, highlighting its relevance in various social contexts.
Editorial note
We review entries like 경매 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
경매에 나오다
to go up for auction
경매에 부치다
to put something up for auction
경매가
auction price
Related Expressions
입찰
ip-chal
bidding (the act of making a bid)
낙찰
nak-chal
successful bid, winning a bid
경매사
gyeong-mae-sa
auctioneer
공매
gong-mae
public auction (often by government/public institutions)
More Shopping Words
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