Korean Dictionary
How to say "Dry" in Korean
“Dry” in Korean is 건조한 (pronounced "geonjohhan").
건조한
geonjohhan
Usage & Context
Indicates low moisture in the air. Dry weather is common in Korean winters and can cause skin and respiratory issues. People use humidifiers during this season.
Example Sentence
겨울에는 공기가 건조해요.
The air is dry in winter.
How to use 건조한 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Dry” is 건조한, romanized as geonjohhan.
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 건조한.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'GEON-jo-han' — three syllables. '건' rhymes roughly with 'gun', '조' is 'joh' (like the 'Jo' in 'Joseph'), '한' rhymes with 'hahn'. Keep the 'o' in 조 rounded.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
건조합니다
Geonjohamnida
Formal declarative, seen in weather reports and product labels.
Casual (반말)
건조해
Geonjohae
Casual with friends; used for skin, throat, laundry, weather alike.
More Example Sentences
Winter skincare routine
피부가 건조해서 로션을 발라야 해요.
My skin is dry so I need to put on lotion.
News about springtime fires in Gangwon-do
건조한 날씨에는 산불이 자주 나요.
Wildfires often break out in dry weather.
Sunny, breezy day for drying clothes
빨래가 금방 건조돼요.
The laundry dries quickly.
Cultural Context
Korean winters are punishingly dry because of the continental high-pressure system — humidity can drop below 30%, which is why Koreans habitually run 가습기 (humidifiers) and drink warm 유자차 for their throats. Every spring, '건조주의보' (dry weather advisories) accompany news of devastating forest fires, especially in 동해안 (east coast) regions. The same word applies to dry skin ('피부가 건조하다'), dry throat, and an emotionally cold personality ('성격이 건조하다').
Editorial note
We review entries like 건조한 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
공기가 건조해요.
The air is dry.
목이 건조해요.
My throat feels dry.
피부가 건조해요.
My skin is dry.
Related Expressions
가습기
Gaseupgi
Humidifier
건조주의보
Geonjojuuibo
Dry-weather advisory (fire risk)
메마르다
Memareuda
Parched, barren, emotionally cold
수분
Subun
Moisture / hydration
More Weather Words
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