Korean Dictionary
How to say "Karaoke" in Korean
“Karaoke” in Korean is 노래방 (pronounced "Noraebang").
노래방
Noraebang
Usage & Context
Noraebang (singing rooms) are private karaoke booths that are a cornerstone of Korean social culture. Groups of friends and colleagues frequently enjoy singing together.
Example Sentence
노래방은 한국 사람들이 가장 좋아하는 여가 활동 중 하나예요.
Noraebang is one of the most popular leisure activities for Koreans.
How to use 노래방 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Karaoke” is 노래방, romanized as Noraebang.
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 노래방.
Pronunciation Guide
For '노래', '노' sounds like 'noh' in 'no', and '래' is like 'reh' in 'red', with a light 'r' sound. '방' is like 'bahng' in 'bang'. Combine them: 'Noh-reh-bahng'.
More Example Sentences
Describing a common post-work social activity.
회식 끝나고 다 같이 노래방에 갔어요.
After the company dinner, we all went to a noraebang.
Expressing noraebang as a stress-relief method.
스트레스 풀 때는 노래방이 최고예요!
When you're stressed, noraebang is the best!
Discussing a popular trend in noraebang culture.
요즘 코인 노래방이 정말 인기 많아요.
Coin noraebang are really popular these days.
Cultural Context
Noraebang (노래방) is a cornerstone of Korean social culture, far more integrated into daily life than karaoke in many Western countries. It's a private room where friends, family, or colleagues can sing, dance, and bond. It's a common activity after dinner or a company gathering (회식, hoesik). 'Coin noraebang' (코인 노래방), where you pay per song, have become very popular, especially among students and solo singers.
Editorial note
We review entries like 노래방 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
노래방 가자
Let's go to noraebang.
노래 한 곡 뽑아봐
Sing a song (lit. 'pick out a song').
서비스 시간
service time (extra free time given by noraebang staff)
Related Expressions
노래
norae
song
가수
gasu
singer
춤
chum
dance
회식
hoesik
company dinner/gathering
More Hobbies & Leisure Words
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