Korean Dictionary
How to say "Hand wash" in Korean
“Hand wash” in Korean is 손세탁 (pronounced "son-setaek").
손세탁
son-setaek
Usage & Context
Washing clothes by hand in Korea. Gentle method for delicate fabrics.
Example Sentence
섬세한 옷은 손세탁해요.
I hand wash delicate clothes.
How to use 손세탁 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Hand wash” is 손세탁, romanized as son-setaek.
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 손세탁.
Pronunciation Guide
"손세탁" (son-setaek) is pronounced like "sone-seh-tack." "Son" sounds like 'sone' as in 'cone', "se" like 'seh' as in 'set', and "taek" rhymes with 'tack' as in 'attack'. The stress is typically on the first syllable, "Son."
More Example Sentences
Discussing the care of baby clothing.
아기 옷은 대부분 손세탁해야 해요.
Most baby clothes need to be hand washed.
Explaining the best care method for a specific garment.
이 니트는 변형될 수 있어서 손세탁이 좋아요.
This knit can get distorted, so hand washing is better.
Confessing a shortcut taken with laundry.
손세탁하기 귀찮아서 그냥 세탁기에 돌렸어요.
I was too lazy to hand wash, so I just put it in the washing machine.
Cultural Context
`손세탁` (hand wash) is a common instruction found on care labels for delicate items such as silk, wool, lingerie, or special baby clothes in Korea. While many modern washing machines have a 'hand wash' or 'delicate' cycle, true hand washing is still practiced for cherished or expensive garments to ensure their longevity and prevent damage. Korean households often have dedicated basins or tubs for this purpose, and gentle detergents are readily available.
Editorial note
We review entries like 손세탁 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
손세탁 가능
hand wash possible
손세탁 전용
for hand wash only
손세탁 모드
hand wash mode (on a machine)
Related Expressions
세탁기
setakgi
washing machine
세탁하다
setakhada
to wash (clothes)
물세탁
mulsetak
wet wash, machine wash (using water)
세탁 방법
setak bangbeop
washing method
More Clothing Words
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