Korean Dictionary
How to say "Free Time" in Korean
“Free Time” in Korean is 여가 시간 (pronounced "Yeoga Sigan").
여가 시간
Yeoga Sigan
Usage & Context
Yeoga sigan refers to leisure or free time away from work and obligations. How Koreans spend their free time reflects the importance of work-life balance.
Example Sentence
여가 시간에는 주로 독서를 해요.
I mainly read during my free time.
How to use 여가 시간 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Free Time” is 여가 시간, romanized as Yeoga Sigan.
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 여가 시간.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'yuh-gah shee-gahn' — 'yuh' sounds like 'yuh' in 'yuck,' 'gah' rhymes with 'pa,' 'shee' rhymes with 'she,' and 'gahn' rhymes with 'gone.' Four quick syllables with no strong stress.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
여가 시간
yeo-ga si-gan
Standard form used in writing, surveys, and formal conversation
Casual (반말)
쉬는 시간
swi-neun si-gan
Literally 'resting time' — more casual and common in daily speech, especially for breaks at school or work
More Example Sentences
complaining to a friend about work-life balance
요즘 너무 바빠서 여가 시간이 거의 없어요.
I've been so busy lately I barely have any free time.
getting-to-know-you question on a first date or introduction
여가 시간에 뭐 하는 거 좋아하세요?
What do you like to do in your free time?
answering an interview question about lifestyle
주말마다 여가 시간을 가족과 함께 보내요.
Every weekend I spend my free time with my family.
Cultural Context
여가 시간 is a slightly formal, almost textbook phrase — native speakers in conversation are more likely to say 쉬는 시간 or just 시간 있을 때 ('when I have time'). The formal term shows up constantly in surveys, government statistics, and self-introductions (자기소개서). Culturally, 'free time' is a loaded concept in Korea: the country still has one of the longest average workweeks in the OECD, so 여가 시간 has become a marker of the younger generation's 워라밸 (work-life balance) movement, a value strongly promoted in 2020s Korean media.
Editorial note
We review entries like 여가 시간 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
여가 시간이 있어요?
Do you have free time?
여가 시간을 어떻게 보내세요?
How do you spend your free time?
여가 시간이 너무 부족해요.
I really don't have enough free time.
Related Expressions
취미
chwi-mi
hobby
휴식
hyu-sik
rest / break
워라밸
wo-ra-bael
work-life balance
바쁘다
ba-ppeu-da
to be busy (antonym context)
More Hobbies & Leisure Words
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