Korean Dictionary
How to say "Hiking" in Korean
“Hiking” in Korean is 등산 (pronounced "deungsan").
등산
deungsan
Usage & Context
Hiking is a beloved outdoor activity in Korea with numerous mountains and trails. Many Koreans enjoy hiking for exercise, nature appreciation, and social bonding.
Example Sentence
주말에 등산을 가요.
I go hiking on weekends.
How to use 등산 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Hiking” is 등산, romanized as deungsan.
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 등산.
Pronunciation Guide
등 (deung) sounds like 'dung' but with a softer 'd' and the 'u' like in 'put'. 산 (san) sounds like 'sahn' as in 'sun' but with an 'ah' sound. Combine them as 'deung-sahn', with relatively even stress on both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Talking about travel and outdoor activities in Korea.
한국은 등산하기 좋은 산이 정말 많아요.
Korea has so many great mountains for hiking.
Making plans with friends for the weekend.
주말에 친구들이랑 북한산으로 등산 갈까?
Shall we go hiking to Bukhansan with friends this weekend?
Enjoying post-hike refreshments.
등산 후에 먹는 막걸리가 최고예요.
Makgeolli (rice wine) after hiking is the best!
Cultural Context
Hiking (등산) is a national pastime in Korea, deeply ingrained in the culture. Mountains are easily accessible from most cities, and people of all ages, from young adults to seniors, participate. It's often a social activity, done with family, friends, or hiking clubs. Specialized, often colorful, hiking gear is very popular and almost a fashion statement. Post-hike meals and drinks, like makgeolli and pajeon (savory pancake), are an essential part of the experience.
Editorial note
We review entries like 등산 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
등산 가다
to go hiking
등산하다
to hike (verb form)
등산복
hiking clothes
Related Expressions
산책
sanchaek
walk, stroll (lighter activity)
하이킹
haiking
hiking (loanword, sometimes used for less strenuous hikes)
등산객
deungsangaek
hiker
산
san
mountain
More Sports Words
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