Korean Dictionary
How to say "Drinking culture" in Korean
“Drinking culture” in Korean is 음주 문화 (pronounced "Eumju munhwa").
음주 문화
Eumju munhwa
Usage & Context
Korea has a unique drinking culture centered around soju. Key customs include never pouring your own drink (always pour for others first), drinking with two hands when receiving, and 건배 (geonbae, cheers). Younger generations are drinking less, but 음주 culture remains central to Korean social and work life.
Example Sentence
한국의 음주 문화에서는 어른에게 두 손으로 잔을 받아요.
In Korean drinking culture, you receive a glass with two hands from an elder.
How to use 음주 문화 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Drinking culture” is 음주 문화, romanized as Eumju munhwa.
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 음주 문화.
Pronunciation Guide
음주 (Eumju) sounds like "oom-joo," with "oom" like in 'boom' and "joo" like in 'juice.' 문화 (munhwa) sounds like "moon-hwa," where "moon" is like the celestial body and "hwa" is like "wah" with a soft 'h.'
More Example Sentences
Explaining cultural differences to a non-Korean.
한국의 음주 문화는 외국인들에게는 좀 독특하게 느껴질 수 있어요.
Korean drinking culture might feel a bit unique to foreigners.
Describing workplace customs and social expectations.
회식에서 음주 문화는 여전히 중요한 부분이에요.
Drinking culture is still an important part of company dinners.
Observing a generational shift in social habits.
요즘 젊은 사람들은 예전보다 음주 문화를 덜 즐기는 경향이 있어요.
Young people these days tend to enjoy drinking culture less than before.
Cultural Context
Korean 'drinking culture,' 음주 문화 (eumju munhwa), is deeply ingrained in social and business life, often centered around soju. Key customs include always pouring drinks for others before yourself, never pouring your own, and receiving a drink from an elder with two hands as a sign of respect. The toast, 건배 (geonbae), is also a common ritual. While younger generations are increasingly opting for less alcohol, understanding these etiquette rules is crucial for navigating social gatherings, especially company dinners (회식, hoesik), and building relationships in Korea.
Editorial note
We review entries like 음주 문화 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
음주 문화가 발달하다.
Drinking culture is developed/prevalent.
건전한 음주 문화.
Healthy drinking culture.
음주 문화에 익숙해지다.
Get used to drinking culture.
Related Expressions
회식
hoesik
company dinner/gathering
술자리
suljari
drinking gathering/occasion
건배
geonbae
cheers!
소주
soju
soju (Korean distilled spirit)
More Culture Words
Related Guides
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Drinking culture and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
