Korean Dictionary
How to say "Maternity Leave" in Korean
“Maternity Leave” in Korean is 출산휴가 (pronounced "chulsanhyuga").
출산휴가
chulsanhyuga
Usage & Context
Paid leave for mothers before and after childbirth. Maternity leave in Korea is protected by law and typically lasts several months. It is an important benefit for working mothers.
Example Sentence
출산휴가를 신청했습니다.
I applied for maternity leave.
How to use 출산휴가 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Maternity Leave” is 출산휴가, romanized as chulsanhyuga.
Usage tip
Business Korean usually needs polite or formal endings, especially in emails, meetings, and customer situations.
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 출산휴가.
Pronunciation Guide
For 출산 (chul-san), 'chul' sounds like 'chool' in 'school' but with a 'ch' sound, and 'san' sounds like 'sahn' in 'sandal'. For 휴가 (hyu-ga), 'hyu' is like 'hew' in 'hewlett', and 'ga' like 'gah' in 'garage'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on '출산'.
More Example Sentences
A colleague informing the team about another's upcoming leave.
그녀는 다음 달부터 출산휴가에 들어갑니다.
She will go on maternity leave starting next month.
A manager planning for a team member's absence.
출산휴가 기간 동안 업무 인수인계가 필요해요.
Handover of duties is needed during maternity leave.
Explaining labor laws to a foreign employee or discussing worker rights.
한국에서는 출산휴가가 법적으로 보장됩니다.
Maternity leave is legally guaranteed in Korea.
Cultural Context
'출산휴가' (chulsanhyuga) is a legally protected right in South Korea, typically lasting 90 days (with at least 45 days post-childbirth). While the law is strong, some women still face subtle pressures or disadvantages in their careers after taking it, though societal awareness and support are growing. It's often followed by '육아휴직' (yugahyujik - parental leave), allowing for extended time with the newborn.
Editorial note
We review business terms like 출산휴가 for formality, so the example fits emails, meetings, or workplace conversations instead of casual speech.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
출산휴가 잘 다녀오세요.
Have a good maternity leave.
출산휴가 신청했어요?
Did you apply for maternity leave?
출산휴가 중입니다.
I am currently on maternity leave.
Related Expressions
육아휴직
yugahyujik
Parental leave (often follows maternity leave)
산전후휴가
sanjeonhu hyuga
Pre- and post-natal leave (formal term for maternity leave)
출산휴가 급여
chulsanhyuga geubyeo
Maternity leave pay
배우자 출산휴가
bae-uja chulsanhyuga
Spouse's maternity leave (for fathers, a shorter period)
More Business Words
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