Korean Dictionary
How to say "Bookstore" in Korean
“Bookstore” in Korean is 서점 (pronounced "seo-jeom").
서점
seo-jeom
Usage & Context
서점 is a bookstore where you can purchase books, magazines, and stationery. Major Korean bookstore chains include Kyobo and Yes24, which also offer online shopping.
Example Sentence
서점에서 새 책을 찾고 있어요.
I'm looking for a new book at the bookstore.
How to use 서점 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Bookstore” is 서점, romanized as seo-jeom.
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 서점.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 서 (seo), sounds like 'suh' as in 'surprise'. The second syllable, 점 (jeom), sounds like 'juhm' as in 'gum' but with a 'j' sound. Put them together as 'suh-juhm', with fairly even stress.
More Example Sentences
Explaining a famous bookstore chain.
교보문고는 한국에서 가장 큰 서점 중 하나예요.
Kyobo Bookstore is one of the largest bookstores in Korea.
Describing a leisure activity.
주말에 서점에 가서 책도 보고 커피도 마셨어요.
I went to the bookstore on the weekend, read books, and drank coffee.
Asking for recommendations in a new area.
이 근처에 괜찮은 서점 있을까요?
Is there a good bookstore around here?
Cultural Context
Korean bookstores like Kyobo (교보문고) and Yes24 (예스24) are often large cultural complexes, featuring cafes, stationery sections, and sometimes even art galleries or event spaces. They are popular spots for dates, studying, or simply spending a quiet afternoon. Online bookstores are also extremely popular, with Yes24 and Aladdin (알라딘) being major players.
Editorial note
We review entries like 서점 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
서점에 가다
To go to the bookstore
서점에서 책을 사다
To buy a book at the bookstore
온라인 서점
Online bookstore
Related Expressions
도서관
do-seo-gwan
Library
책방
chaek-bang
Small bookstore (often independent)
문구점
mun-gu-jeom
Stationery store
서점가
seo-jeom-ga
Bookstore street/district
More Shopping Words
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