Korean Dictionary
How to say "Island" in Korean
“Island” in Korean is 섬 (pronounced "Seom").
섬
Seom
Usage & Context
Korea has over 3,000 islands. Jeju Island (제주도) is the largest and most famous. Others include Ulleungdo (울릉도, far into the East Sea), Dokdo (독도, easternmost point), and Geoje (거제도). Island hopping along the south coast is a popular travel experience revealing stunning scenery and fishing village culture.
Example Sentence
제주도는 화산섬으로 독특한 자연경관이 있어요.
Jeju Island is a volcanic island with a unique natural landscape.
How to use 섬 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Island” is 섬, romanized as Seom.
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 섬.
Pronunciation Guide
Single syllable: 'seom.' Start with 's,' then the vowel sounds like the 'u' in 'but,' and finish with a gentle 'm' — 'SUHM.' Keep it short, never two syllables.
More Example Sentences
Sharing honeymoon photos with friends
신혼여행으로 제주 섬에 갔어요.
We went to Jeju Island for our honeymoon.
Giving travel info to a tourist
그 섬은 배로만 갈 수 있어요.
You can only get to that island by boat.
Talking about a dream vacation
작은 섬에서 일주일 동안 쉬고 싶어요.
I want to rest for a week on a small island.
Cultural Context
Korea has over 3,000 islands, and the country attaches 도 (the Sino-Korean morpheme for island) to proper names — 제주도, 울릉도, 독도 — while 섬 is the standalone word in everyday speech. 독도 in particular carries strong patriotic weight because of the territorial dispute with Japan, and Koreans learn the phrase '독도는 우리 땅' (Dokdo is our land) as a song in elementary school. 섬 is also used metaphorically to describe feeling isolated, as in 마음의 섬 (island of the heart).
Editorial note
We review entries like 섬 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
이 섬은 작아요.
This island is small.
섬에 살고 싶어요.
I want to live on an island.
섬까지 얼마나 걸려요?
How long does it take to get to the island?
Related Expressions
제주도
jejudo
Jeju Island
무인도
muindo
Uninhabited island
섬마을
seommaeul
Island village
반도
bando
Peninsula
Frequently asked questions
How do I correctly pronounce "섬" (Seom) and what are common pitfalls for English speakers?+
The Korean word "섬," meaning island, is pronounced "Seom." The 'ㅅ' (s) sound is similar to English 's', while 'ㅓ' (eo) is like the 'aw' in "saw" but with a slightly more rounded lip shape, and 'ㅁ' (m) is a standard 'm' sound. A common pitfall is mispronouncing 'ㅓ' as a simple 'o' or 'uh'. Ensure your mouth forms a vertical oval for the 'eo' sound, not a wide horizontal one.
How is "섬" (Seom) typically used in sentences, especially when naming specific Korean islands?+
"섬" (Seom) is the general word for "island." When referring to specific islands, it often appears as part of the name or with "도" (do), which also means island. For example, "제주도" (Jeju-do) means Jeju Island, where "도" is appended. You might say "울릉도는 아름다운 섬입니다" (Ulleungdo-neun areumdaun seomimnida), meaning "Ulleungdo is a beautiful island," using "섬" generally after the specific name.
Can you list some famous or significant Korean islands that use "섬" or "도" (do) in their names?+
Korea boasts many islands. The largest and most famous is "제주도" (Jeju-do), a popular tourist destination. "울릉도" (Ulleungdo) is known for its remote beauty in the East Sea. "독도" (Dokdo) holds significant cultural and historical importance as Korea's easternmost territory. "거제도" (Geoje-do) is another large island on the south coast, famous for shipbuilding and scenic views. These all incorporate "도" (do) for island.
Is "섬" (Seom) considered a formal or informal word, and how does it fit into Korean grammar?+
"섬" (Seom) is a neutral, common noun for "island," not inherently formal or informal. Its formality depends on the sentence's overall politeness level. It functions grammatically like other nouns. You can add particles, e.g., "섬이" (seom-i, subject particle), "섬을" (seom-eul, object particle), or "섬에서" (seom-eseo, 'at/from the island'). It's often combined with "도" (do) in island names like "제주도," which is a Chinese character derived term also meaning island.
What is the key difference between "섬" (Seom) and "도" (do) when referring to islands in Korean?+
Both "섬" (Seom) and "도" (do) mean "island." "섬" is the native Korean word, used generally to refer to any island. "도" is a Sino-Korean word (derived from Chinese character 島) and is primarily used as a suffix in official island names, like "제주도" (Jeju-do), "울릉도" (Ulleungdo), or "독도" (Dokdo). While "도" can stand alone, it's less common in everyday speech than "섬" for a generic island. Think of "도" as the formal designation.
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