Korean Dictionary
How to say "Caption" in Korean
“Caption” in Korean is 자막 (pronounced "jamak").
자막
jamak
Usage & Context
Captions are text overlaid on video or images, often as subtitles. Korean TV programs extensively use 자막 not just for the deaf but for all viewers watching in noisy environments.
Example Sentence
자막이 없으면 빠른 대화를 이해하기 어렵다.
Without captions, it is difficult to understand fast dialogue.
How to use 자막 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Caption” is 자막, romanized as jamak.
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 자막.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'ja' like 'jah' in 'jar'. 'mak' sounds like 'mahk' in 'mark'. The two syllables flow together smoothly.
More Example Sentences
Asking at a cinema or streaming service.
이 영화는 한국어 자막이 있어요?
Does this movie have Korean captions?
Expressing appreciation for subtitles while watching a show.
자막 덕분에 드라마를 더 재미있게 봤어요.
Thanks to the captions, I enjoyed the drama more.
Describing a language learning method.
유튜브에서 자막 기능을 켜고 공부해요.
I study by turning on the caption function on YouTube.
Cultural Context
자막 (jamak) is ubiquitous in Korean media, especially K-dramas and variety shows. Unlike in some Western countries where captions are primarily for the hearing impaired, Korean TV often uses 자막 for all viewers. This is partly due to fast dialogue, varying regional accents, or simply to emphasize jokes and key information. It's also a common tool for language learners to follow along.
Editorial note
We review entries like 자막 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
자막을 켜다
to turn on captions
자막을 끄다
to turn off captions
한국어 자막
Korean captions
Related Expressions
부제
buje
subtitle (often for a book/movie title)
번역
beonyeok
translation
대본
daebon
script
화면
hwamyeon
screen
More Media & Journalism Words
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