Korean Dictionary
How to say "Single Household" in Korean
“Single Household” in Korean is 1인가구 (pronounced "il in gaggu").
1인가구
il in gaggu
Usage & Context
A household consisting of one person living alone. Increasingly common demographic in Korea reflecting changing social patterns.
Example Sentence
1인가구가 늘어나고 있어.
Single households are increasing.
How to use 1인가구 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Single Household” is 1인가구, romanized as il in gaggu.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
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 1인가구.
Pronunciation Guide
1인 (il in): 'Il' sounds like 'eel'. 'In' sounds like 'een' as in 'seen'. 가구 (gaggu): 'Ga' sounds like 'gah' as in 'garden'. 'Ggu' sounds like 'goo' as in 'goose'. The pronunciation is quite distinct for each part, with a slight pause between 'il in' and 'gaggu'.
More Example Sentences
Discussing demographic trends in a presentation or news report.
한국 사회에서 1인가구가 급증하고 있어요.
Single households are rapidly increasing in Korean society.
Talking about real estate market trends.
1인가구를 위한 소형 아파트가 인기가 많아요.
Small apartments for single households are very popular.
Personal reflection on adapting to living alone.
나도 이제 1인가구 생활에 익숙해졌어.
I've also gotten used to living as a single household now.
Cultural Context
1인가구 (il in gaggu) literally means 'one-person household.' This term is crucial for understanding modern Korean society. Traditionally, large multi-generational families were the norm, but rapid urbanization, changing social values, delayed marriage, and increased individualism have led to a dramatic rise in single-person households. This demographic shift has profound impacts on everything from housing and consumer markets to social welfare policies. It's a frequently discussed topic in news and research, reflecting a fundamental change in family structures and lifestyles in Korea.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 1인가구 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
1인가구 증가.
Increase in single households.
1인가구 시대.
The era of single households.
1인가구 생활.
Single household life.
Related Expressions
핵가족
haekgajok
Nuclear family
다인가구
da in gaggu
Multi-person household
독신
doksin
Single person (unmarried)
혼자 살다
honja salda
To live alone
More Slang Words
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