Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ocean" in Korean
“Ocean” in Korean is 바다 (pronounced "bada").
바다
bada
Usage & Context
The ocean or 바다 surrounds the Korean peninsula on three sides. Koreans have a deep cultural connection to the sea. Coastal tourism and seafood are important parts of Korean culture.
Example Sentence
바다에 가면 기분이 좋아져요.
Going to the ocean makes me feel better.
How to use 바다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ocean” is 바다, romanized as bada.
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 바다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'ba-da'. Simple two-syllable word: 'ba' rhymes with English 'bah', and 'da' rhymes with 'dah'. Very smooth.
More Example Sentences
weekend trip
바다 보러 강릉 갈래요?
Shall we go to Gangneung to see the ocean?
at the beach
바다 냄새가 좋아요.
I love the ocean smell.
asking about experience
바다에서 수영해 봤어요?
Have you swum in the ocean?
Cultural Context
바다 is the everyday word for ocean or sea — no distinction is made between 'sea' and 'ocean' in Korean. Koreans have a deep cultural attachment to 동해 (East Sea) for sunrise and 서해 (West Sea) for sunset and tidal flats. Going to the beach is called 바다 가다 (going to the sea), and 바다 뷰 (ocean view) commands premium real estate.
Editorial note
We review entries like 바다 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
바다가 보고 싶어요.
I want to see the ocean.
바다가 정말 넓어요.
The ocean is truly vast.
바다에 발 담갔어요.
I dipped my feet in the sea.
Related Expressions
해변
haebyeon
beach
파도
pado
waves
해수욕장
haesuyokjang
swimming beach
모래사장
moraesajang
sandy beach
More Environment Words
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