Korean Dictionary
How to say "Migratory birds" in Korean
“Migratory birds” in Korean is 철새 (pronounced "Cheolsae").
철새
Cheolsae
Usage & Context
Birds that seasonally migrate through Korea. Korea lies on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a major migratory route. Winter brings thousands of 가창오리 (baikal teal) and 두루미 (cranes) to Korean wetlands. Famous birdwatching sites include Seosan, Suncheon Bay, and the DMZ (비무장지대) where undisturbed habitat has flourished.
Example Sentence
가을이 되면 시베리아에서 철새들이 한국으로 날아와요.
When autumn comes, migratory birds fly to Korea from Siberia.
How to use 철새 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Migratory birds” is 철새, romanized as Cheolsae.
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 철새.
Pronunciation Guide
Say 철새 as 'Cheol-sae'. 'Cheol' sounds like 'chul' in 'chug' but with a slightly more open 'o' sound, like 'uh' in 'butter'. 'Sae' sounds like the English word 'say'.
More Example Sentences
Explaining the seasonal movement of birds.
겨울이 되면 많은 철새들이 따뜻한 남쪽으로 이동해요.
When winter comes, many migratory birds move to warmer southern regions.
Describing a natural bird sanctuary.
이 호수는 철새들의 중요한 서식지 중 하나입니다.
This lake is one of the important habitats for migratory birds.
Preparing for a birdwatching activity.
철새를 관찰하기 위해 망원경을 준비했어요.
I prepared binoculars to observe migratory birds.
Cultural Context
Korea is a crucial stopover point on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, making 철새 (migratory birds) a significant part of its natural landscape, especially during autumn and winter. Wetlands like Suncheon Bay and the DMZ's undisturbed areas become bustling havens for thousands of birds, including iconic species like the Baikal teal (가창오리) and various cranes (두루미). Birdwatching is a popular activity, and the arrival of these birds is often a sign of seasonal change.
Editorial note
We review entries like 철새 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
철새 무리
Flock of migratory birds
철새 관찰
Migratory bird observation
철새처럼 떠돌다
To wander like a migratory bird
Related Expressions
텃새
Teotsae
Resident bird (non-migratory)
새
Sae
Bird
이동하다
Idonghada
To migrate/move
철새 도래지
Cheolsae doraeji
Migratory bird habitat/wintering ground
More Nature Words
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