Korean Dictionary
How to say "Coming of Age Day" in Korean
“Coming of Age Day” in Korean is 성년의 날 (pronounced "seongnyeon ui nal").
성년의 날
seongnyeon ui nal
Usage & Context
성년의 날 in Korea falls on the third Monday of May each year and celebrates young people who turn 20. Traditional gifts on 성년의 날 include roses, perfume, and kisses symbolizing adulthood. Many Korean universities hold events and clubs celebrate 성년의 날 with parties and outings.
Example Sentence
성년의 날에 20살이 된 친구에게 장미를 선물했어요.
I gave roses as a gift to my friend who turned 20 on Coming of Age Day.
How to use 성년의 날 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Coming of Age Day” is 성년의 날, romanized as seongnyeon ui nal.
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 성년의 날.
Pronunciation Guide
성 (seong) rhymes with 'song' but with a slightly tighter 'o' sound. 년 (nyeon) sounds like 'nyun' in 'bun' with an 'n' sound. 의 (ui) is often pronounced like 'ee' (as in 'me') or 'eh' (as in 'bed') when it's a possessive particle, here usually 'ee'. 날 (nal) sounds like 'nal' (like 'null' but with an 'a' like 'father').
More Example Sentences
A young adult reminiscing about their Coming of Age Day celebration.
성년의 날에 친구들과 클럽에 가서 놀았어요.
On Coming of Age Day, I went to a club with my friends and had fun.
An aunt/uncle asking for gift suggestions for a relative.
올해 성년의 날을 맞이하는 조카에게 어떤 선물을 해줄까요?
What gift should I get for my niece who's celebrating Coming of Age Day this year?
A thoughtful reflection on the meaning of the holiday.
성년의 날은 어른으로서의 책임감을 생각하게 하는 날이에요.
Coming of Age Day is a day that makes you think about your responsibilities as an adult.
Cultural Context
성년의 날, celebrated on the third Monday of May, marks the transition to adulthood for those turning 20 (Korean age). It's a significant milestone, often celebrated with roses (symbolizing passion), perfume (fragrance of a beautiful adult), and a kiss (symbolizing love). Many young Koreans celebrate with friends, often going out for drinks or parties, embracing their new legal freedoms.
Editorial note
We review entries like 성년의 날 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
성년의 날 축하해!
Happy Coming of Age Day! (casual)
이제 성인이 되었네.
You've become an adult now.
성년의 날 선물
Coming of Age Day gift
Related Expressions
성인
seongin
Adult
성년
seongnyeon
Adulthood, legal age
미성년자
miseongnyeonja
Minor, underage person
생일
saengil
Birthday
More Holidays & Festivals Words
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