Korean Dictionary
How to say "Horse Racing" in Korean
“Horse Racing” in Korean is 경마 (pronounced "Gyeongma").
경마
Gyeongma
Usage & Context
Horse racing is a popular spectator sport and leisure activity in Korea. Seoul Racing Park and other racecourses attract thousands of visitors on race days.
Example Sentence
경마장에서 경마를 관람하는 것이 신나요.
Watching horse racing at the racecourse is exciting.
How to use 경마 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Horse Racing” is 경마, romanized as Gyeongma.
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 경마.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, "Gyeong," sounds like "gyung" in "young" but with a slightly harder 'g' sound at the beginning. The second syllable, "ma," is pronounced like "mah" in "mama." The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Describing a weekend leisure activity with friends.
주말에 친구들과 경마장에 가서 경마를 즐겼어요.
I went to the racecourse with friends on the weekend and enjoyed horse racing.
Explaining the legal status and nature of the sport in Korea.
한국에서는 경마가 합법적인 도박 중 하나예요.
In Korea, horse racing is one of the legal forms of gambling.
Giving a warning about the potential risks associated with the activity.
경마는 스릴 넘치는 스포츠지만, 과도한 베팅은 위험해요.
Horse racing is a thrilling sport, but excessive betting is dangerous.
Cultural Context
Horse racing (경마) in Korea is primarily a legal gambling activity, managed by the Korea Racing Authority (KRA). Racecourses like Seoul Racecourse Park or Busan Gyeongnam Racecourse are popular weekend destinations, offering not just races but also family-friendly parks and activities. While it's a sport, the betting aspect is a significant draw, often depicted in K-dramas where characters might visit a racecourse for a thrill or to try their luck.
Editorial note
We review entries like 경마 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
경마를 하다
To do horse racing (to bet on races)
경마장에 가다
To go to the racecourse
경마 중독
Horse racing addiction
Related Expressions
경마장
Gyeongmajang
Racecourse
말
Mal
Horse
경주
Gyeongju
Race (general term)
도박
Dobak
Gambling
More Hobbies & Leisure Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Horse Racing and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
