Korean Dictionary
How to say "Daycare" in Korean
“Daycare” in Korean is 어린이집 (pronounced "Eorinijiip").
어린이집
Eorinijiip
Usage & Context
A facility providing childcare for working parents. Korean daycare centers are common and often provide meals and educational activities.
Example Sentence
아이를 어린이집에 맡깁니다.
I leave my child at daycare.
How to use 어린이집 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Daycare” is 어린이집, romanized as Eorinijiip.
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 어린이집.
Pronunciation Guide
어 (eo) sounds like 'uh' in 'up'. 린 (rin) sounds like 'rin' in 'rinse'. 이 (i) sounds like 'ee' in 'see'. 집 (jiip) sounds like 'jeep' but with a slightly shorter, crisper 'p' sound at the end. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Discussing future plans for a child's education/care.
우리 아이는 내년부터 어린이집에 다닐 거예요.
Our child will go to daycare from next year.
A child recounting their positive experience at daycare.
어린이집에서 친구들과 재미있게 놀았어요.
I had fun playing with friends at daycare.
Highlighting the societal importance of daycare for working parents.
맞벌이 부부에게 어린이집은 필수적이에요.
Daycare is essential for dual-income couples.
Cultural Context
어린이집 (eorinijiip) is a crucial part of modern Korean parenting, especially for dual-income families. These facilities are highly regulated and often provide comprehensive programs including meals, naps, and educational activities. There's often strong competition for spots in popular 어린이집, and parents meticulously research and compare options, reflecting the high value placed on early childhood education and care.
Editorial note
We review entries like 어린이집 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
어린이집 보내다
to send (a child) to daycare
어린이집 입소
admission to daycare
국공립 어린이집
public/national daycare
Related Expressions
유치원
yuchiwon
kindergarten
보육원
boyugwon
child welfare institution (less common for typical daycare)
어린이집 선생님
eorinijiip seonsaengnim
daycare teacher
등원하다
deungwonhada
to go to daycare/kindergarten
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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