Korean Dictionary
How to say "Japanese Colonial Period" in Korean
“Japanese Colonial Period” in Korean is 일제 강점기 (pronounced "ilje gangjeomgi").
일제 강점기
ilje gangjeomgi
Usage & Context
The Japanese Colonial Period lasted from 1910 to 1945 when Korea was under Japanese rule. This era left deep wounds in Korean culture and memory. Liberation from Japanese rule on August 15, 1945 is celebrated as Gwangbokjeol.
Example Sentence
일제 강점기는 한국 역사에서 매우 아픈 시기예요.
The Japanese colonial period is a very painful time in Korean history.
How to use 일제 강점기 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Japanese Colonial Period” is 일제 강점기, romanized as ilje gangjeomgi.
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 일제 강점기.
Pronunciation Guide
"Il-je" sounds like "eel-jeh" (like 'eel' then 'jet' without the 't'). "Gang-jeom-gi" sounds like "gahng-juhm-gee" (like 'gang' then 'juhm' as in 'gum', then 'gee' as in 'geese' without the 's'). The stress is on the first syllable of each part.
More Example Sentences
Emphasizing the importance of historical education.
일제 강점기 역사를 배우는 건 정말 중요해요.
Learning about the history of the Japanese Colonial Period is really important.
Recommending a historical film.
그 영화는 일제 강점기 독립운동가들의 이야기를 다루고 있어요.
That movie is about the stories of independence activists during the Japanese Colonial Period.
Discussing historical preservation.
일제 강점기 때 많은 문화유산이 훼손되었어요.
Many cultural heritage sites were damaged during the Japanese Colonial Period.
Cultural Context
일제 강점기 (Ilje Gangjeomgi) refers to the period of Japanese colonial rule over Korea (1910-1945) and is a deeply sensitive and painful chapter in Korean history. It's frequently referenced in historical dramas, films, and literature that depict the struggles of independence fighters and the suffering of the Korean people. Discussions around this period often involve strong emotions and a desire for historical justice, particularly concerning issues like comfort women and forced labor, which continue to impact Korea-Japan relations today.
Editorial note
We review entries like 일제 강점기 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
일제 강점기 시대
The era of Japanese Colonial Period
일제 강점기 역사
History of the Japanese Colonial Period
일제 강점기 피해
Damages/suffering from the Japanese Colonial Period
Related Expressions
식민 통치
singmin tongchi
colonial rule
독립운동
dongnip undong
independence movement
위안부
wianbu
comfort women (euphemism for sexual slavery victims)
광복
gwangbok
liberation (from Japanese rule)
More Korean History Words
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