Korean Dictionary
How to say "Turn Signal / Blinker" in Korean
“Turn Signal / Blinker” in Korean is 방향지시등 (pronounced "banghyang jisi deung").
방향지시등
banghyang jisi deung
Usage & Context
방향지시등 is the turn signal light used to indicate direction changes in Korean traffic. Failure to use the 방향지시등 before turning or changing lanes is a traffic violation in Korea. Korean drivers are increasingly penalized for 방향지시등 violations as part of stricter traffic enforcement.
Example Sentence
차선 변경 전에 방향지시등을 켜세요.
Turn on your blinker before changing lanes.
How to use 방향지시등 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Turn Signal / Blinker” is 방향지시등, romanized as banghyang jisi deung.
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 방향지시등.
Pronunciation Guide
방 (bang) sounds like 'bahng' as in 'bang'. 향 (hyang) sounds like 'hyahng' (like 'hang' with a 'y' sound before it). 지 (ji) sounds like 'jee' as in 'jeep'. 시 (si) sounds like 'she' but with a softer 's' sound, closer to 'see'. 등 (deung) sounds like 'dung' as in 'dung beetle' but with a softer 'd' and a slightly more open 'u' sound. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on '방향'.
More Example Sentences
Warning about unsafe driving.
방향지시등을 켜지 않고 차선 변경하면 위험해요.
It's dangerous to change lanes without turning on your blinker.
Admitting a driving mistake.
좌회전할 때 방향지시등을 깜빡 잊었네요.
I forgot to turn on the blinker when making a left turn.
Explaining a car repair need.
방향지시등이 고장 나서 수리해야 해요.
The turn signal is broken, so I need to get it repaired.
Cultural Context
While essential for safety, the use of 방향지시등 in Korea can sometimes be inconsistent, especially in busy urban areas where drivers might make quick maneuvers. However, traffic enforcement has become stricter, and police are increasingly penalizing drivers for not using their blinkers. It's a common topic of discussion among drivers, often leading to humorous or frustrated comments in online communities about '깜빡이' (kkamppagi - a common slang/colloquial term for blinker) usage.
Editorial note
We review entries like 방향지시등 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
방향지시등 켜세요.
Turn on your blinker.
깜빡이 켜.
Turn on the blinker (casual).
방향지시등이 안 보여요.
I can't see the turn signal.
Related Expressions
깜빡이
kkamppagi
Blinker (colloquial, very common)
비상등
bisangdeung
Hazard lights (emergency lights)
좌회전
jwahoedeon
Left turn
우회전
uhoedeon
Right turn
More Transportation Words
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