Korean Dictionary
How to say "Classmate" in Korean
“Classmate” in Korean is 동기 (pronounced "Donggi").
동기
Donggi
Usage & Context
The word 동기 (classmate or peer of the same year) carries deep meaning in Korean culture. University 동기 often form tight-knit friendship groups that last a lifetime, meeting regularly for meals and gatherings long after graduation. Korean professional culture also highly values 동기 networks from prestigious universities for career advancement.
Example Sentence
대학교 동기들과 오늘 만났어요.
I met with my university classmates today.
How to use 동기 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Classmate” is 동기, romanized as Donggi.
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 동기.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '동기' as 'Dong-gi'. 'Dong' sounds like 'dong' in 'ding-dong'. 'Gi' sounds like 'gee' in 'geese'.
More Example Sentences
A student suggesting a group trip to their peers from the same year.
우리 동기들 다 같이 여행 갈까?
Shall all of us classmates go on a trip together?
An employee talking about a social gathering with their work peers.
회사 동기들과 회식했어요.
I had a company dinner with my colleagues who started in the same year.
Someone informing a friend about an upcoming alumni event.
대학교 동기 모임이 다음 주에 있어요.
There's a university classmate gathering next week.
Cultural Context
'동기' refers to people who started something (e.g., university, a company, military service) in the same year. This concept is very significant in Korean culture, fostering strong bonds. University '동기' often form lifelong friendships, supporting each other through various life stages. In the professional world, '동기' networks from prestigious universities or companies can be crucial for career advancement, reflecting the importance of connections (인맥, inmaek) in Korea.
Editorial note
We review entries like 동기 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
대학교 동기
University classmate/peer
회사 동기
Work colleague (started same year)
동기 모임
Classmate/peer gathering
Related Expressions
친구
chingu
friend (general term, often same age)
선배
seonbae
senior (at school or work, who started earlier)
후배
hubae
junior (at school or work, who started later)
동창
dongchang
alumnus/alumna (from the same school, regardless of year)
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