Korean Dictionary
How to say "First Snow" in Korean
“First Snow” in Korean is 첫눈 (pronounced "cheotnum").
첫눈
cheotnum
Usage & Context
The first snowfall of the season. The first snow is celebrated in Korea and marks the beginning of winter. People often share photos of first snow.
Example Sentence
첫눈이 내렸어요.
The first snow has fallen.
How to use 첫눈 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “First Snow” is 첫눈, romanized as cheotnum.
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 첫눈.
Pronunciation Guide
For 첫눈 (cheotnun), 'cheot' sounds like 'chut' in 'shutter' but with a sharper 't' sound at the end, almost like a stop. 'nun' sounds like 'noon'. When combined, the 't' in 'cheot' merges with the 'n' in 'nun' to create a double 'n' sound, so it's pronounced more like 'chun-nun'.
More Example Sentences
A romantic promise related to the first snow.
첫눈 오는 날 만나자고 약속했어요.
We promised to meet on the day of the first snow.
Expressing a common feeling about the first snow.
첫눈이 내리면 왠지 모르게 설레요.
When the first snow falls, I feel excited for some reason.
Wondering about the timing of the first snow.
올해 첫눈은 언제쯤 올까요?
Around when will the first snow fall this year?
Cultural Context
The first snow of the season holds a special, almost magical significance in Korea, particularly in romantic contexts. It's a popular trope in K-dramas where couples often make promises to meet or confess their feelings on the day of the first snow. Many people share photos and videos of the first snowfall on social media, treating it as a minor celebratory event that marks the true beginning of winter.
Editorial note
We review entries like 첫눈 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
첫눈이 내렸어요.
The first snow has fallen.
첫눈 오는 날.
The day the first snow falls.
첫눈을 기다리다.
To wait for the first snow.
Related Expressions
함박눈
hambaknun
Big, fluffy snow
눈이 오다
nuni oda
To snow
눈사람
nunsaram
Snowman
눈싸움
nunssaum
Snowball fight
More Weather Words
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