Korean Dictionary
How to say "Babysitting" in Korean
“Babysitting” in Korean is 아이 돌보기 (pronounced "Ai dolbogi").
아이 돌보기
Ai dolbogi
Usage & Context
Caring for children while parents are away. Korean families often use babysitters or family members for childcare.
Example Sentence
저는 주말에 아이 돌보기를 합니다.
I babysit on weekends.
How to use 아이 돌보기 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Babysitting” is 아이 돌보기, romanized as Ai dolbogi.
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 아이 돌보기.
Pronunciation Guide
For '아이' (Ai), it sounds exactly like the English word 'eye'. For '돌보기' (dolbogi), 'dol' sounds like 'doll', 'bo' sounds like 'boh' in 'bow' (as in bow and arrow), and 'gi' sounds like 'gee' in 'geese'. Put it together: 'Eye doll-boh-gee'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
아이를 돌봐요
Aireul dolbwayo
This is the polite form of 'to babysit / care for a child'.
Casual (반말)
아이 돌봐
Ai dolbwa
This is the casual form of 'to babysit / care for a child'.
More Example Sentences
A friend helping out with childcare.
주말에 친구 아이 돌보기를 해줬어요.
I babysat my friend's child on the weekend.
Someone reflecting on the effort involved in childcare.
아이 돌보기는 생각보다 체력이 많이 필요해요.
Babysitting requires more physical strength than you'd think.
Someone considering childcare as a suitable activity or job.
저는 아이 돌보기가 적성에 맞는 것 같아요.
I think babysitting suits my aptitude.
Cultural Context
'아이 돌보기' (babysitting) in Korea often involves family members (grandparents, aunts/uncles) or close friends rather than paid, external babysitters, especially for younger children. When paid help is sought, it's often through a professional service or a long-term nanny (유모, 이모님 - yumo, imonim). The concept of a 'teenager babysitting for pocket money' is less common than in some Western countries, though it's growing. Trust and personal connection are highly valued when entrusting children to someone else.
Editorial note
We review entries like 아이 돌보기 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
아이 돌봐줄 사람
Someone to babysit
아이 돌보기 서비스
Babysitting service
아이 돌보기 경험
Babysitting experience
Related Expressions
육아
yuga
childcare (broader term)
보육
boyuk
nursery care, childcare (institutional)
아이를 맡기다
aireul matgida
to entrust a child (to someone)
아이를 키우다
aireul kiuda
to raise a child
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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