Korean Dictionary
How to say "Expressway" in Korean
“Expressway” in Korean is 고속도로 (pronounced "gosokdoro").
고속도로
gosokdoro
Usage & Context
고속도로 is Korea's highway network connecting cities across the country. The Gyeongbu Expressway (경부고속도로) linking Seoul and Busan is the most important 고속도로 in Korea and is heavily used by commercial trucks and private vehicles. Speed limits on Korean 고속도로 are enforced by both cameras and police.
Example Sentence
고속도로를 이용하면 더 빨리 갈 수 있어요.
You can get there faster if you use the expressway.
How to use 고속도로 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Expressway” is 고속도로, romanized as gosokdoro.
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 고속도로.
Pronunciation Guide
The pronunciation for "고속도로" is "goh-sok-doh-roh." "Go" is like "goh" in "go," "sok" is like "sok" in "sock," "do" is like "doh" in "dough," and "ro" is like "roh" in "row." The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on "sok."
More Example Sentences
Complaining about weekend traffic to a friend.
주말에는 고속도로가 항상 막혀요.
The expressway is always jammed on weekends.
Giving travel time information to someone planning a trip.
서울에서 부산까지 고속도로로 4시간 걸려요.
It takes 4 hours from Seoul to Busan by expressway.
Describing a stop during a road trip.
고속도로 휴게소에서 맛있는 간식을 사 먹었어요.
I bought and ate delicious snacks at the expressway rest area.
Cultural Context
고속도로 (expressways) are the backbone of inter-city travel in Korea. The Gyeongbu Expressway (경부고속도로) is particularly iconic, connecting the capital Seoul with the major southern port city Busan, and is often a symbol of Korea's rapid economic development. Rest stops (휴게소) along these expressways are famous for their diverse and often delicious food options, becoming destinations in themselves for travelers. Speed cameras are common, so drivers are advised to adhere to speed limits.
Editorial note
We review entries like 고속도로 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
고속도로를 타다
To take the expressway
고속도로 진입
Expressway entrance
고속도로 출구
Expressway exit
Related Expressions
국도
gukdo
National road (non-expressway)
일반 도로
ilban doro
General road
휴게소
hyugeso
Rest area (on an expressway)
경부고속도로
gyeongbugosokdoro
Gyeongbu Expressway
More Transportation Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Expressway and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
