Korean Dictionary
How to say "Dress Shoes" in Korean
“Dress Shoes” in Korean is 구두 (pronounced "Gudu").
구두
Gudu
Usage & Context
Dress shoes are formal footwear for business and formal occasions in Korea. Polished leather shoes are standard in Korean professional settings.
Example Sentence
면접이나 공식 자리에서 구두를 신어요.
I wear dress shoes for interviews or formal occasions.
How to use 구두 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Dress Shoes” is 구두, romanized as Gudu.
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 구두.
Pronunciation Guide
구 (gu) sounds like 'goo' in 'goose'. 두 (du) sounds like 'doo' in 'do'. Combine as 'GOO-doo'.
More Example Sentences
Discussing appropriate formal wear with a colleague.
정장에는 역시 구두가 제일 잘 어울리죠.
Dress shoes definitely go best with a suit, right?
Complaining about uncomfortable new shoes to a friend.
새 구두를 샀는데 발이 너무 아파요.
I bought new dress shoes, but my feet hurt so much.
Preparing for a job interview.
면접 볼 때 신을 구두를 하나 사야겠어.
I need to buy a pair of dress shoes to wear for the interview.
Cultural Context
In Korea, '구두' generally refers to formal leather shoes. For men, this includes classic styles like Oxfords or Derbies, essential for business and formal events. For women, it often implies high heels (하이힐) or other polished, formal footwear. It's common for Koreans to own a dedicated pair of '구두' specifically for important occasions like weddings, funerals, or job interviews, emphasizing their importance in professional and social etiquette.
Editorial note
We review entries like 구두 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
구두 닦다
To polish shoes
구두 신다
To wear/put on dress shoes
구두 한 켤레
A pair of dress shoes
Related Expressions
하이힐
Haihil
High heels
운동화
Undonghwa
Sneakers/athletic shoes
정장
Jeongjang
Suit (clothing worn with dress shoes)
신발
Sinbal
Shoes (general term)
More Fashion & Style Words
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