Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fabric" in Korean
“Fabric” in Korean is 천 (pronounced "cheon").
천
cheon
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
Material used to make clothing in Korea. Important for understanding clothing quality and comfort.
Example Sentence
이 천은 부드러워요.
This fabric is soft.
How to use 천 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fabric” is 천, romanized as cheon.
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 천.
Pronunciation Guide
The pronunciation of "cheon" sounds like "chun" in English, similar to the beginning of "chunk" but without the 'k' sound. The 'eo' vowel is like the 'u' in words such as "but" or "cup."
More Example Sentences
Asking a friend about a craft project they're starting.
이 천으로 뭘 만들 거예요?
What are you going to make with this fabric?
Describing a visit to a traditional fabric market.
시장에는 예쁜 천이 정말 많아요.
There are so many beautiful fabrics at the market.
Giving advice on how to shop for quality clothing.
옷감을 고를 때 천의 종류를 확인해야 해요.
When choosing clothes, you should check the type of fabric.
Cultural Context
In Korea, especially when shopping for clothes or bedding, people often touch the fabric (천) to feel its quality and texture. Traditional Korean clothing, hanbok (한복), uses specific types of high-quality fabrics like silk (실크) or ramie (모시), which are highly valued for their drape and feel. Discussions about the 'feel' (촉감) of the 천 are common when evaluating garments.
Editorial note
We review entries like 천 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. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
천을 자르다
to cut fabric
천이 부드럽다
the fabric is soft
천으로 만들다
to make with fabric
Related Expressions
옷감
otgam
clothing fabric (more specific)
원단
wondan
textile, raw fabric (often industrial term)
재료
jaeryo
material, ingredient (general term)
실
sil
thread, yarn
More Clothing Words
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