Korean Dictionary
How to say "Basement" in Korean
“Basement” in Korean is 지하 (pronounced "Jiha").
지하
Jiha
Usage & Context
Basements in Korean buildings are used for parking, storage, and sometimes commercial spaces. Underground parking is standard in Korean apartment complexes.
Example Sentence
지하에 주차장이 있어요.
There is a parking lot in the basement.
How to use 지하 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Basement” is 지하, romanized as Jiha.
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 지하.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '지' (ji), sounds like 'jee' in 'jeep'. The second syllable, '하' (ha), sounds like 'hah' in 'haha'. The word is pronounced quickly and smoothly, with slightly more emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about parking difficulties in an apartment complex.
우리 아파트 지하 주차장은 항상 자리가 부족해요.
Our apartment's underground parking lot always lacks space.
Giving directions or recommending a place to eat.
이 건물 지하 1층에 맛있는 식당이 있어요.
There's a delicious restaurant on the first basement floor of this building.
Explaining the origin of the word 'subway' in Korean.
한국에서는 지하철이 지하로 다녀서 '지하철'이라고 불러요.
In Korea, subways run underground, so they're called 'jihatcheol' (underground railway).
Cultural Context
Basements ('지하') are extremely common in Korean buildings, especially in urban areas. Underground parking is standard in most apartment complexes and commercial buildings. Many businesses, from restaurants and cafes to PC bangs (internet cafes) and even clothing stores, operate on basement floors, often designated as '지하 1층' (first basement floor). The term '지하' is also a key component of '지하철' (subway), literally 'underground railway,' highlighting its prevalence in urban infrastructure.
Editorial note
We review entries like 지하 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
지하로 내려가다
to go down to the basement
지하 1층
first basement floor
지하에 있다
to be in the basement
Related Expressions
지하철
jihatcheol
subway/underground train
지하 주차장
jiha juchajang
underground parking lot
반지하
banjiha
semi-basement (a unique Korean housing type)
지상
jisang
above ground (antonym)
More Home & Furniture Words
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