Korean Dictionary
How to say "Late Arrival" in Korean
“Late Arrival” in Korean is 지각 (pronounced "jigak").
지각
jigak
Usage & Context
Arriving at school after the official start time. Late arrivals are recorded and can result in punishment. Students try to avoid being late.
Example Sentence
지각을 했다.
I was late to school.
How to use 지각 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Late Arrival” is 지각, romanized as jigak.
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 지각.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'ji' is pronounced like 'jee' in 'jeep'. 'gak' sounds like 'gock' in 'rock', but with a slightly harder 'g' sound. The two syllables are pronounced distinctly.
More Example Sentences
Explaining the reason for being late to school/work.
오늘 아침에 버스를 놓쳐서 지각했어요.
I missed the bus this morning, so I was late.
A child or student talking about the consequences of tardiness.
지각하면 선생님께 혼나요.
If you're late, you'll get scolded by the teacher.
A teacher or parent advising a student about punctuality.
잦은 지각은 성적에 안 좋은 영향을 줄 수 있어요.
Frequent late arrivals can negatively affect your grades.
Cultural Context
In Korea, punctuality is highly valued, especially in academic and professional settings. '지각' (jigak) is taken seriously in schools, often resulting in '벌점' (beoljeom - demerit points) or other forms of disciplinary action. Students go to great lengths to avoid being late, as it reflects poorly on their discipline and responsibility. This emphasis is often depicted in K-dramas where characters rush to school to avoid being marked late.
Editorial note
We review entries like 지각 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
지각하다
to be late (verb form)
지각생
latecomer (student)
지각하지 마세요
Please don't be late.
Related Expressions
늦다
neutda
to be late (verb)
결석
gyeolsseok
absence
조퇴
jotwe
early departure
벌점
beoljeom
demerit points
More School Life Words
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