Korean Dictionary
How to say "Neighbor" in Korean
“Neighbor” in Korean is 이웃 (pronounced "Iut").
이웃
Iut
Usage & Context
People who live nearby. In Korean apartment culture, there's a custom of bringing rice cakes (떡) or gifts when moving into a new home to introduce yourself to neighbors (이사떡). Noise complaints (층간소음, floor-to-ceiling noise) between apartment neighbors is a notable social issue in Korea.
Example Sentence
새로 이사 왔는데 이웃에게 떡을 드렸어요.
I just moved in and gave rice cakes to my neighbors.
How to use 이웃 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Neighbor” is 이웃, romanized as Iut.
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 이웃.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 이 (i), sounds like 'ee' in 'see'. The second syllable, 웃 (ut), sounds like 'oot' in 'boot', but the 't' is a very soft, unreleased sound, almost like a quick stop at the back of your throat. Put it together: 'ee-oot'.
More Example Sentences
Talking about a pet from next door.
이웃집 강아지가 너무 귀여워요.
The neighbor's dog is so cute.
Reflecting on the importance of community.
좋은 이웃을 만나는 건 정말 행운이에요.
It's truly lucky to meet good neighbors.
Describing a harmonious neighborhood relationship.
이웃 간에 정을 나누며 살아요.
We live sharing affection among neighbors.
Cultural Context
In Korea, especially when moving into a new home, it's customary to bring '이사떡' (isa-tteok, moving rice cakes) or small gifts to introduce yourself to your neighbors. This tradition fosters community spirit. However, in modern apartment complexes, '층간소음' (cheunggan-so-eum, floor-to-ceiling noise) between neighbors is a common social issue, highlighting the challenges of urban living.
Editorial note
We review entries like 이웃 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
이웃집
Neighbor's house
이웃 사람
Neighbor (person)
이웃돕기
Helping neighbors (charity, community service)
Related Expressions
이웃사촌
iut-sachon
Neighbor like a cousin (meaning very close neighbor)
옆집
yeopjip
Next door house/neighbor
동네
dongne
Neighborhood
공동체
gongdongche
Community
More Daily Life Words
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