Korean Dictionary
How to say "Public bath" in Korean
“Public bath” in Korean is 목욕탕 (pronounced "Mogyoktang").
목욕탕
Mogyoktang
Usage & Context
Traditional Korean public baths. Separated by gender, with hot and cold pools. The 때밀이 (scrub service) is a uniquely Korean experience where an attendant vigorously exfoliates your skin. Regular visits are part of Korean wellness culture, especially for older generations.
Example Sentence
동네 목욕탕에서 때를 밀면 정말 개운해요.
Getting a scrub at the neighborhood public bath feels really refreshing.
How to use 목욕탕 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Public bath” is 목욕탕, romanized as Mogyoktang.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 목욕탕.
Pronunciation Guide
목 (mok) sounds like 'mok' in 'mock'. 욕 (yok) sounds like 'yoke' in 'yolk'. 탕 (tang) sounds like 'tang' in 'tango'. Combine them as 'MOK-yok-TANG', with a slight emphasis on 'MOK'.
More Example Sentences
A family outing for relaxation.
주말에 가족들이랑 목욕탕 가서 피로 풀었어요.
I went to the public bath with my family on the weekend and relieved my fatigue.
Explaining a unique service to a tourist.
한국 목욕탕에서는 때밀이 서비스를 받을 수 있어요.
In Korean public baths, you can get a scrub service.
Sharing a nostalgic childhood memory.
어릴 때 엄마랑 목욕탕 가는 게 주말의 낙이었어요.
When I was little, going to the public bath with my mom was the joy of the weekend.
Cultural Context
Mogyoktang are traditional Korean public baths, often gender-segregated, featuring various hot and cold pools, saunas, and showers. They are a place for cleansing, relaxation, and socializing, especially for older generations. The '때밀이' (ttaemiri) or body scrub service, where an attendant vigorously exfoliates your skin, is a unique and invigorating experience. While less common among younger Koreans, mogyoktang remains a cherished cultural institution, often found alongside larger jjimjilbangs.
Editorial note
We review entries like 목욕탕 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
목욕탕 가다
To go to the public bath
목욕하다
To bathe
때 밀다
To get a body scrub (literally, 'to scrub off grime')
Related Expressions
찜질방
jjimjilbang
Korean spa/sauna complex (often includes a mogyoktang)
때밀이
ttaemiri
Body scrub (service/person)
사우나
sauna
Sauna
온천
oncheon
Hot spring
More Daily Life Words
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