Korean Dictionary
How to say "Exercise" in Korean
“Exercise” in Korean is 운동 (pronounced "Undong").
운동
Undong
Usage & Context
Physical activity and fitness. 운동하다 means to exercise. Health consciousness is growing in Korea, with gyms (헬스장), yoga studios, and running clubs becoming increasingly popular. Local outdoor fitness equipment in parks is widely used by older Koreans in the morning.
Example Sentence
요즘 건강 때문에 매일 운동하려고 해요.
Lately I'm trying to exercise every day for my health.
How to use 운동 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Exercise” is 운동, romanized as Undong.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 운동.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '운' (un), sounds like 'oon' in 'moon'. The second syllable, '동' (dong), sounds like 'dong' in 'song'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
운동합니다
Undonghamnida
This is the formal declarative form of '운동하다' (to exercise).
Casual (반말)
운동해
Undonghae
This is the casual imperative/declarative form of '운동하다' (to exercise).
More Example Sentences
Suggesting an activity to a friend.
주말에 같이 운동할까요?
Shall we exercise together this weekend?
Describing a daily routine.
매일 아침 조깅으로 운동해요.
I exercise by jogging every morning.
Complaining about physical condition.
운동 부족으로 몸이 찌뿌둥해요.
My body feels stiff due to lack of exercise.
Cultural Context
Koreans are increasingly health-conscious, with gyms (헬스장), yoga, and Pilates gaining immense popularity, often influenced by K-pop idols' fitness routines. Many public parks feature free outdoor exercise equipment, which is especially popular with older generations in the mornings. It's also common to see people hiking (등산) on weekends.
Editorial note
We review entries like 운동 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
운동하다
To exercise
운동 열심히 해요!
Exercise hard! / Work out diligently!
무슨 운동 좋아하세요?
What kind of exercise do you like?
Related Expressions
헬스
helseu
Gym, weight training (often used for 'going to the gym')
운동화
undonghwa
Athletic shoes, sneakers
운동장
undongjang
Sports field, playground
체력
cheryeok
Physical strength, stamina
More Daily Life Words
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