Korean Dictionary
How to say "City Hall" in Korean
“City Hall” in Korean is 시청 (pronounced "sicheong").
시청
sicheong
Usage & Context
City halls in Korea serve as the administrative centers of cities and municipalities. Seoul City Hall features a striking modern glass building. City plazas in front of Korean city halls are used for public events and demonstrations.
Example Sentence
서울 시청 앞 광장에서 행사가 열려요.
Events are held at the plaza in front of Seoul City Hall.
How to use 시청 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “City Hall” is 시청, romanized as sicheong.
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 시청.
Pronunciation Guide
For '시' (si), say 'she'. For '청' (cheong), it's like 'chong' (as in 'King Kong' but with a 'ch' sound at the beginning). Put them together: 'she-chong'.
More Example Sentences
Telling a friend about a recent errand.
시청에서 여권 신청했어요.
I applied for a passport at City Hall.
Informing someone about a public event.
서울 시청 앞 광장에서 축제가 열려요.
A festival is being held at the plaza in front of Seoul City Hall.
Giving directions for administrative tasks.
민원 서류는 시청 1층에서 발급받을 수 있어요.
You can get civil petition documents issued on the first floor of City Hall.
Cultural Context
시청 (sicheong) is more than just an administrative building in Korea; it often serves as a central landmark and a hub for public life. The plaza in front of major city halls, like Seoul City Hall, is frequently used for large-scale public events, protests, concerts, and even seasonal ice skating rinks. The architecture of city halls can also be quite striking, with Seoul's new City Hall building being a notable example of modern design contrasting with its historical counterpart. It's a place where citizens interact with local government and participate in community activities.
Editorial note
We review entries like 시청 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
시청에 가다
To go to City Hall
시청 앞
In front of City Hall
시청역
City Hall Station (subway)
Related Expressions
구청
gucheong
District office
도청
docheong
Provincial office
주민센터
jumin senteo
Community service center (local neighborhood office)
광장
gwangjang
Plaza, public square
More Architecture Words
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