Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fortification" in Korean
“Fortification” in Korean is 요새 (pronounced "Yosae").
요새
Yosae
Usage & Context
Military term related to fortification. Important vocabulary for understanding Korean military culture and defense terminology.
Example Sentence
이것은 요새에 대한 예문입니다.
This is an example sentence about fortification.
How to use 요새 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fortification” is 요새, romanized as Yosae.
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 요새.
Pronunciation Guide
For 요 (Yo), it sounds like 'yo' in 'yogurt'. For 새 (Sae), it sounds like 'sae' in 'sae-hae' (new year), similar to 'say' but with a slightly softer 's' and a clear 'ae' vowel. Pronounce both syllables smoothly.
More Example Sentences
Describing a historical site.
이 산성은 옛날에 중요한 방어 요새였습니다.
This mountain fortress was an important defensive fortification in the past.
Discussing military strategy.
적군의 요새를 공격하기 위한 작전을 세웠습니다.
We devised a strategy to attack the enemy's fortification.
Explaining a geographical advantage.
그 섬은 천연 요새와 같아서 침략하기 어려웠어요.
That island was like a natural fortification, making it difficult to invade.
Cultural Context
Korea has a rich history of fortifications, from ancient mountain fortresses (산성, sanseong) like Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (수원 화성) to modern-day border defenses. These historical sites are popular tourist destinations and UNESCO World Heritage sites, offering insights into Korea's defensive strategies throughout its history. The term '요새' can also be used metaphorically to describe a strong, secure place, like a 'safe haven' or a 'stronghold.'
Editorial note
We review entries like 요새 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
요새를 구축하다
to build a fortification
천연 요새
natural fortification
난공불락의 요새
impregnable fortress
Related Expressions
성곽
seonggwak
fortress wall, rampart
진지
jinji
position, emplacement (military)
방어선
bangeoseon
defensive line
산성
sanseong
mountain fortress
More Military Words
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