Korean Dictionary
How to say "Graduation" in Korean
“Graduation” in Korean is 졸업 (pronounced "Joreop").
졸업
Joreop
Usage & Context
Graduation (졸업) is a major life milestone celebrated by students and their families in Korea. Korean university graduation ceremonies in February and August are formal events where students receive their diplomas in academic robes. Graduation photos (졸업 사진) are an important tradition, with students often renting formal attire for photoshoots on campus.
Example Sentence
4년 만에 드디어 졸업해요.
I'm finally graduating after 4 years.
How to use 졸업 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Graduation” is 졸업, romanized as Joreop.
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 졸업.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '졸' (jol), sounds like 'jole' as in 'mole'. The second syllable, '업' (eop), sounds like 'up' but with a slightly softer 'o' vowel, similar to 'uhp', and the 'p' sound is unreleased. The pronunciation is smooth, with no strong emphasis on a particular syllable.
More Example Sentences
Expressing anticipation for a future milestone.
내년에 대학교 졸업을 앞두고 있어요.
I'm about to graduate from university next year.
Recalling a meaningful moment during a ceremony.
졸업식 날 부모님께 감사 인사를 드렸어요.
I thanked my parents on graduation day.
Describing a career path taken immediately after school.
고등학교 졸업 후 바로 취업했어요.
I got a job right after high school graduation.
Cultural Context
Graduation, or '졸업' (joreop), is a significant life event in Korea, celebrated with much fanfare. University graduation ceremonies typically take place in February and August, where students don academic robes and receive diplomas. A cherished tradition is taking '졸업 사진' (graduation photos), often involving renting formal attire for elaborate photoshoots on campus, sometimes with friends and family. It's a moment of pride for both students and their families, marking the culmination of years of hard work.
Editorial note
We review entries like 졸업 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
졸업 축하해!
Congratulations on your graduation!
졸업반
Graduating class/senior year
졸업 선물
Graduation gift
Related Expressions
졸업하다
Joreophada
To graduate (verb)
졸업식
Joreopsik
Graduation ceremony
입학
Iphak
Admission/Enrollment (antonym)
졸업생
Joreopsaeng
Graduate (person)
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