Korean Dictionary
How to say "Curfew" in Korean
“Curfew” in Korean is 통금 시간 (pronounced "Tonggeum sigan").
통금 시간
Tonggeum sigan
Usage & Context
A set time by which children must be home. Korean parents often set curfews for teenagers to ensure safety.
Example Sentence
십대 자녀의 통금 시간은 밤 10시입니다.
The curfew for teenage children is 10 PM.
How to use 통금 시간 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Curfew” is 통금 시간, romanized as Tonggeum sigan.
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 통금 시간.
Pronunciation Guide
통금 (Tonggeum) sounds like 'tong-goom'. 시간 (sigan) sounds like 'see-gahn'. Put it together: 'Tong-goom see-gahn'.
More Example Sentences
A teenager talking about their parents' rules.
부모님께서 저에게 통금 시간을 정해주셨어요.
My parents set a curfew for me.
A child expressing frustration about restrictions.
늦게까지 놀고 싶지만 통금 시간 때문에 안 돼요.
I want to play late, but I can't because of curfew.
Discussing changing parenting styles.
요즘은 통금 시간이 없는 집도 많다고 들었어요.
I heard that many families don't have a curfew these days.
Cultural Context
Curfews (통금 시간) are a common aspect of Korean parenting, especially for teenagers. They reflect a strong emphasis on safety, discipline, and academic focus, ensuring children return home at a reasonable hour to study or rest. While still prevalent, there's a gradual shift in some families towards more flexible approaches, particularly as children mature or in more liberal households. This topic often appears in K-dramas as a source of negotiation or conflict between parents and their children.
Editorial note
We review entries like 통금 시간 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
통금 시간을 지키다
To keep/obey curfew
통금 시간을 어기다
To break curfew
통금 시간이 몇 시야?
What time is your curfew?
Related Expressions
귀가 시간
gwiga sigan
Time to return home
제한 시간
jehan sigan
Time limit
규칙
gyuchik
Rule
자유 시간
jayu sigan
Free time
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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