Korean Dictionary
How to say "Departure" in Korean
“Departure” in Korean is 출발 (pronounced "chulbal").
출발
chulbal
Usage & Context
출발 means departure and is used in the context of trains, buses, flights, and everyday travel in Korea. Korean transportation hubs display real-time 출발 information on large digital boards. The phrase 출발합니다 (we are departing) is commonly announced by Korean bus and train drivers before leaving a station.
Example Sentence
열차 출발 시간이 5분 남았어요.
There are 5 minutes left until the train departure.
How to use 출발 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Departure” is 출발, romanized as chulbal.
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 출발.
Pronunciation Guide
출 (chul) sounds like 'chool' as in 'school' but starting with a 'ch' sound. 발 (bal) sounds like 'bal' in 'ballad'. The stress is typically on the first syllable, 'chul'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
출발합니다
chulbalhamnida
Formal declarative form, commonly used in public announcements (e.g., on buses or trains).
Casual (반말)
출발해
chulbalhae
Casual declarative or imperative, used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
Checking flight information at the airport.
비행기 출발 시간이 변경되었어요.
The flight departure time has been changed.
Getting ready to leave for a trip with friends.
이제 곧 출발할 거예요. 준비됐어요?
We're about to depart now. Are you ready?
A parent advising a child before a long journey.
출발 전에 화장실에 다녀오세요.
Please go to the restroom before departure.
Cultural Context
출발 (chulbal) is a very common word in daily Korean life, extending beyond just transportation. You'll frequently hear it announced at bus and train stations ('곧 출발합니다!' - 'We will depart soon!'). It's also used metaphorically to signify the beginning of a new journey, project, or phase in life. For example, a new business venture might be referred to as '새로운 출발' (saeroun chulbal), meaning 'a new departure' or 'a fresh start,' carrying a strong sense of moving forward and new beginnings.
Editorial note
We review entries like 출발 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
출발합니다!
We are departing!
출발 시간
Departure time
출발 준비
Departure preparations
Related Expressions
떠나다
tteonada
To leave, to depart (verb)
출발하다
chulbalhada
To depart (verb)
도착
dochak
Arrival (antonym)
출발지
chulbalji
Departure point
More Transportation Words
Related Articles
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Departure and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
