Korean Dictionary
How to say "Documentary" in Korean
“Documentary” in Korean is 다큐멘터리 (pronounced "Dakumenterri").
다큐멘터리
Dakumenterri
Usage & Context
Non-fiction films documenting reality. Important genre in Korean cinema and television.
Example Sentence
다큐멘터리는 현실을 기록합니다.
Documentaries record reality.
How to use 다큐멘터리 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Documentary” is 다큐멘터리, romanized as Dakumenterri.
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 다큐멘터리.
Pronunciation Guide
"Da-kyu-men-teo-ri" is a direct transliteration of "documentary." "Da" like "dah" in "dad," "kyu" like "cue," "men" like "men," "teo" like "tuh" in "tough," and "ri" like "ree" in "tree." The rhythm and emphasis are similar to the English word.
More Example Sentences
Discussing a documentary's impact on a social issue.
그 다큐멘터리는 환경 문제의 심각성을 잘 보여줬어요.
That documentary clearly showed the seriousness of environmental issues.
Talking about personal preferences for TV/film genres.
저는 역사 다큐멘터리를 보는 걸 좋아해요.
I like watching history documentaries.
Recommending content on a streaming platform.
넷플릭스에 재미있는 다큐멘터리 시리즈가 많아요.
There are many interesting documentary series on Netflix.
Cultural Context
Documentaries are quite popular in Korea, especially those focusing on social issues, history, nature, and current affairs. Public broadcasting channels (like KBS, MBC, EBS) often produce high-quality documentaries, and streaming services like Netflix have also boosted their accessibility. They are seen as a valuable source of information and often spark public discussion, contributing to a well-informed society.
Editorial note
We review entries like 다큐멘터리 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
다큐멘터리 영화
Documentary film
사회 다큐멘터리
Social documentary
자연 다큐멘터리
Nature documentary
Related Expressions
뉴스
nyuseu
News
시사 프로그램
sisa peurogeuraem
Current affairs program
논픽션
nonpikseon
Non-fiction
기록 영화
girok yeonghwa
Documentary film (more formal/traditional term)
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