Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cold wave" in Korean
“Cold wave” in Korean is 한파 (pronounced "Hanpa").
한파
Hanpa
Usage & Context
A sudden severe cold spell. Korean winters can bring 한파 경보 (cold wave warnings) when temperatures plunge dangerously. Siberian cold fronts sweep through Korea bringing extreme cold. 동파 (freezing of pipes) is a common winter concern. Homeless and vulnerable populations face significant risk during 한파 periods.
Example Sentence
한파가 와서 강이 얼었어요. 영하 20도래요.
A cold wave came and the river froze. They say it's minus 20 degrees.
How to use 한파 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cold wave” is 한파, romanized as Hanpa.
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 한파.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '한' (han), sounds like 'hahn' in 'John' with a soft 'h'. The second syllable, '파' (pa), sounds like 'pah' in 'spa,' with a slightly aspirated 'p' sound. The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Warning about upcoming severe weather.
이번 주말에 한파가 절정에 달할 예정이니 옷 따뜻하게 입으세요.
A cold wave is expected to peak this weekend, so dress warmly.
Explaining a common winter household problem.
한파 때문에 수도관이 얼어서 물이 안 나와요.
Due to the cold wave, the water pipes froze and no water is coming out.
Reporting a weather alert from the news.
뉴스에서 한파 특보가 발령됐다고 하네요.
The news says a cold wave advisory has been issued.
Cultural Context
Korean winters are notoriously cold, often due to Siberian high-pressure systems, making '한파' a very common term on weather forecasts. When '한파 경보' (cold wave warning) or '한파 특보' (cold wave advisory) are issued, it's a serious matter, leading to concerns about '동파' (burst pipes) and increased heating costs. Koreans often combat the extreme cold by bundling up in '롱패딩' (long padded coats), a ubiquitous winter fashion item.
Editorial note
We review entries like 한파 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
한파 경보
cold wave warning
한파 특보
cold wave advisory
한파주의보
cold wave alert
Related Expressions
추위
chuiwi
coldness (general)
강추위
gangchuiwi
severe cold
폭염
pogyeom
heat wave (antonym)
겨울
gyeoul
winter
More Nature Words
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