Korean Dictionary
How to say "Frost" in Korean
“Frost” in Korean is 서리 (pronounced "Seori").
서리
Seori
Usage & Context
Ice crystals forming on surfaces when temperature drops below freezing. 서리가 내리다 (frost falls). 서리맞다 (to be hit by frost) is also used figuratively to mean being scolded. Late autumn marks the first frost (첫서리), signaling the transition to winter. This affects agriculture and outdoor activities.
Example Sentence
아침에 서리가 내려서 차 유리창이 얼었어요.
Frost fell in the morning and the car windshield froze.
How to use 서리 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Frost” is 서리, romanized as Seori.
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 서리.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce "Seori" as "Suh-ree." The 'ㅓ' (eo) is like the 'o' in 'son', and 'ㅣ' (i) is like the 'ee' in 'see'. The 'ㅅ' (s) is a soft 's' sound. The 'ㄹ' (r/l) is a flap 'r' sound, similar to the 'tt' in 'butter'.
More Example Sentences
Observing seasonal change and anticipating winter.
첫서리가 내리면 이제 겨울이 오는구나 싶어요.
When the first frost falls, I think, 'winter is coming now'.
A farmer expressing concern about crop damage.
늦가을에는 밭작물에 서리가 내릴까 봐 걱정이에요.
In late autumn, I'm worried about frost falling on the field crops.
Describing a beautiful frosty morning scene.
아침에 밖에 나가보니 풀잎에 서리가 하얗게 앉아 있었어요.
When I went outside in the morning, frost was sitting white on the grass blades.
Cultural Context
'서리' is a clear sign of the changing seasons in Korea, particularly the transition from autumn to winter. The '첫서리' (cheotseori - first frost) is often mentioned in news and daily conversations as a marker of colder weather. For farmers, frost can be a serious concern, as it can damage crops. The figurative use '서리맞다' (seorimatda - to be hit by frost) meaning "to be scolded" or "to suffer a setback" is a common idiom, reflecting the harsh impact of frost. You might hear a child say, "엄마한테 서리맞았어" (eomma-hante seorimat-asseo - I got scolded by mom).
Editorial note
We review entries like 서리 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
서리 피해
Frost damage
서리꽃
Frost flower (beautiful ice patterns)
서리 내린 아침
Frosty morning
Related Expressions
첫서리
Cheotseori
First frost
서리가 내리다
Seori-ga naerida
Frost falls
서리맞다
Seorimatda
To be hit by frost (literally); to be scolded (figuratively)
얼음
Eoreum
Ice (related concept)
More Nature Words
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