Korean Dictionary
How to say "Hallway" in Korean
“Hallway” in Korean is 복도 (pronounced "Bokdo").
복도
Bokdo
Usage & Context
복도 means hallway or corridor and is used in both homes and public buildings in Korea. Korean apartments often have a narrow entrance hallway called 현관 (hyeongwan). The word is essential for describing indoor spaces.
Example Sentence
복도 끝에 화장실이 있어요.
The bathroom is at the end of the hallway.
How to use 복도 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Hallway” is 복도, romanized as Bokdo.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 복도.
Pronunciation Guide
For 복도 (Bokdo), 'Bok' sounds like 'bock' in 'bock beer'. 'Do' sounds like 'doe' or 'dough'. When 'ㄱ' (k) is followed by 'ㄷ' (d), it often softens to a 'g' sound, so it might sound closer to 'Bog-do' in natural speech.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about a building's lighting.
아파트 복도가 너무 어두워서 무서워요.
The apartment hallway is too dark, it's scary.
A teacher giving instructions to students.
교실 복도에서 뛰지 마세요!
Don't run in the school hallway!
Reminding someone of hotel etiquette.
호텔 복도에서 시끄럽게 떠들면 안 돼요.
You shouldn't make loud noise in the hotel hallway.
Cultural Context
복도 (Bokdo) refers to a hallway or corridor in various settings, from homes and apartments to schools and public buildings. In Korean apartments, the entrance area, 현관 (hyeongwan), often leads into a 복도. Many older apartment complexes are '복도식 아파트' (bokdo-sik apateu), meaning units open onto a long, shared corridor, sometimes outdoors. It's generally considered a space for quiet passage, not for lingering or loud conversations, especially in residential areas.
Editorial note
We review entries like 복도 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
복도를 지나다.
To pass through the hallway.
복도 끝.
End of the hallway.
복도에서 만나다.
To meet in the hallway.
Related Expressions
통로
Tongno
passage, aisle (broader term)
현관
Hyeongwan
entrance, foyer (specific to home entrance)
통행로
Tonghaengno
passageway, thoroughfare
길
Gil
path, road (very general)
More Daily Life Words
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