Korean Dictionary
How to say "Headlights" in Korean
“Headlights” in Korean is 전조등 (pronounced "jeonjo deung").
전조등
jeonjo deung
Usage & Context
전조등 are the front lights of a vehicle required by Korean law to be used at night and in low visibility conditions. Korea mandates 전조등 use in tunnels and during heavy rain or fog. Many Korean vehicles now come equipped with LED or adaptive 전조등 that automatically adjust to road conditions.
Example Sentence
터널에 들어갈 때 전조등을 켜야 해요.
You need to turn on your headlights when entering a tunnel.
How to use 전조등 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Headlights” is 전조등, romanized as jeonjo deung.
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 전조등.
Pronunciation Guide
전 (jeon) sounds like 'jun' in 'junior' or 'john' but with a softer 'j' and a slightly rounded 'o' sound. 조 (jo) sounds like 'joe' as in the name. 등 (deung) sounds like 'dung' as in 'dung beetle' but with a softer 'd' and a slightly more open 'u' sound. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on '전'.
More Example Sentences
Giving a safety reminder.
밤에는 전조등을 꼭 켜야 안전해요.
It's safe to always turn on your headlights at night.
Reporting a car problem.
전조등이 한쪽만 안 들어와요.
Only one headlight is not working.
Explaining a traffic rule.
터널 안에서는 전조등을 켜는 것이 의무입니다.
It is mandatory to turn on your headlights inside tunnels.
Cultural Context
In Korea, the use of 전조등 is strictly enforced, especially in tunnels and during adverse weather. Many modern Korean cars come with automatic headlights that turn on at dusk or in low-light conditions, which is a convenient feature given the country's mountainous terrain and numerous tunnels. Drivers who fail to use their 전조등 when required can face fines.
Editorial note
We review entries like 전조등 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
전조등 켜세요.
Turn on your headlights.
전조등이 나갔어요.
The headlights are out.
자동 전조등.
Automatic headlights.
Related Expressions
미등
mideung
Taillights / Parking lights
안개등
angaedeung
Fog lights
상향등
sanghyangdeung
High beams
하향등
hahyangdeung
Low beams
More Transportation Words
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