Korean Dictionary
How to say "Dawn" in Korean
“Dawn” in Korean is 새벽 (pronounced "saebyeok").
새벽
saebyeok
Usage & Context
The word for dawn, the early morning before sunrise. This is commonly used in poetry and early morning activities.
Example Sentence
새벽에 일어나요.
I wake up at dawn.
How to use 새벽 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Dawn” is 새벽, romanized as saebyeok.
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 새벽.
Pronunciation Guide
To pronounce '새벽' (saebyeok), 'sae' sounds like 'say' in English. 'Byeok' sounds like 'byuck' in 'buck' but with a 'y' sound before the 'eo' vowel, similar to 'byaw-k'. The final 'k' is unreleased, a soft stop. The stress is typically on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Planning an early trip or journey.
새벽 일찍 출발해야 해요.
We have to depart early in the morning (at dawn).
Appreciating the fresh air in the early morning.
새벽 공기가 정말 상쾌해요.
The dawn air is really refreshing.
Describing staying up late to watch TV.
새벽까지 드라마를 봤어요.
I watched a drama until dawn.
Cultural Context
'새벽' carries a strong sense of quietness, freshness, and sometimes solitude. It's often associated with early morning activities like exercising, studying, or working before others wake up. In K-dramas, characters might have deep conversations or emotional moments during '새벽' to emphasize the quiet intimacy of the time. It's also a common time for people to return home after a late night out.
Editorial note
We review entries like 새벽 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
새벽에
At dawn / In the early morning
새벽 공기
Dawn air / Early morning air
새벽별
Morning star (poetic)
Related Expressions
아침
achim
Morning (broader term, includes dawn)
해뜰녘
haetteullyeok
Sunrise / Daybreak (more specific to the moment the sun rises)
동틀 녘
dongteul nyeok
Dawn / Daybreak (synonym, more poetic)
밤
bam
Night (opposite of dawn/day)
More Numbers and Time Words
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