Korean Dictionary
How to say "Children's Day" in Korean
“Children's Day” in Korean is 어린이날 (pronounced "eorininal").
어린이날
eorininal
Usage & Context
어린이날 on May 5th is a national holiday in Korea dedicated to children's wellbeing and happiness. Korean parents traditionally take their children to amusement parks, zoos, and special events on 어린이날. The day was established by children's rights advocate Sopa Bang Jeong-hwan in 1922.
Example Sentence
어린이날에 아이들을 에버랜드에 데려갔어요.
I took the children to Everland on Children's Day.
How to use 어린이날 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Children's Day” is 어린이날, romanized as eorininal.
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 어린이날.
What learners usually mean by “Children's Day in Korean”
This search usually needs both the Korean word and the cultural date, because Children's Day is a real public holiday in Korea.
Real usage
어린이날 is celebrated on May 5 in South Korea. Families often plan outings, gifts, or child-focused events, so the word appears in school notices, family plans, and holiday schedules.
Avoid this mistake
Do not treat 어린이날 as just a translated phrase. It refers to a specific holiday with a fixed date and cultural expectations.
Better pattern
Use 어린이날 for the holiday, 어린이 for children, and 아이 for child in everyday conversation.
family holiday planning
어린이날에 어디 갈 거예요?
Where are you going for Children's Day?
holiday context
어린이날이라서 놀이공원이 붐빌 거예요.
The amusement park will be crowded because it's Children's Day.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'eo-ri-ni-nal' — 'eo' like 'uh', 'ri' like 'ree', 'ni' like 'nee', 'nal' rhymes with 'nahl' with light final 'l'.
More Example Sentences
parent planning
어린이날 선물로 뭘 줄까?
What should I give as a Children's Day gift?
checking the calendar
어린이날이 임시공휴일이랑 겹쳤어요.
Children's Day overlapped with a substitute holiday.
holiday weekend crowd
어린이날엔 놀이공원이 북적북적해요.
On Children's Day amusement parks are packed.
Cultural Context
어린이날 (May 5th) is a beloved Korean national holiday and a mandatory day off. Amusement parks like 에버랜드 and 롯데월드 are packed, toy sales spike, and parents often plan elaborate outings. If 어린이날 falls on a weekend, a '대체공휴일' (substitute holiday) is granted on the following Monday. The concept was introduced by children's rights activist 방정환 in the 1920s.
Editorial note
We review holiday terms with cultural context so the page explains not just the Korean name, but when people actually say it and why the day matters.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
어린이날 축하해!
Happy Children's Day!
어린이날 뭐해요?
What are you doing on Children's Day?
어린이날 선물이에요.
It's a Children's Day gift.
Related Expressions
어린이
eorini
child
어버이날
eobeoinal
Parents' Day
공휴일
gonghyuil
public holiday
놀이공원
noligongwon
amusement park
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce 어린이날 (Children's Day) correctly in Korean?+
The Korean word 어린이날, meaning Children's Day, is pronounced "eorininal." Break it down as "eo-ri-ni-nal." The "eo" sound is similar to "uh" in "up," "ri" is like "ree," "ni" is like "nee," and "nal" is similar to "nahl" in "final." The stress is relatively even across syllables, but pay attention to the initial "eo" sound for accurate pronunciation.
What is the significance of 어린이날 in Korean culture and when is it celebrated?+
어린이날 (eorininal) is a significant national holiday in Korea celebrated annually on May 5th. Its primary purpose is to honor children, promote their well-being, and advocate for their rights. On this day, families often engage in special activities like visiting amusement parks, zoos, or attending various children's events. It's a day dedicated to making children feel loved and cherished, reflecting the importance placed on the younger generation in Korean society.
Is 어린이날 a formal or informal term, and how is it typically used in conversation?+
어린이날 (eorininal) is a standard, neutral term for Children's Day, neither overly formal nor informal. It is used universally across all contexts when referring to the holiday. In conversation, you might hear phrases like "어린이날에 뭐 할 거예요?" (eorininal-e mwo hal geoyeyo?), meaning "What are you going to do on Children's Day?" or "어린이날 선물 샀어?" (eorininal seonmul sasseo?), asking "Did you buy a Children's Day gift?"
Are there any other important Korean holidays or festivals related to family or children?+
While 어린이날 (eorininal) is specifically for children, other major holidays often involve family. Chuseok (추석), the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Seollal (설날), Lunar New Year, are the two biggest holidays where families gather, share meals, and perform ancestral rites. While not exclusively for children, these days are deeply family-oriented, with special foods, games, and customs enjoyed by all generations, including children.
What is the origin of 어린이날 and are there common misconceptions about its celebration?+
어린이날 (eorininal) was established by children's rights advocate Sopa Bang Jeong-hwan in 1922. It became a national holiday in 1946 and officially May 5th in 1970. A common misconception might be that it's solely about giving gifts; while gifts are common, the core spirit is about recognizing children's rights and ensuring their happiness and healthy development. It's less about commercialism and more about celebrating the future generation.
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