Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ondol (underfloor heating)" in Korean
“Ondol (underfloor heating)” in Korean is 온돌 (pronounced "Ondol").
온돌
Ondol
Usage & Context
Traditional Korean radiant floor heating system. Still used in modern buildings.
Example Sentence
온돌은 한국의 전통 난방 방식이에요.
Ondol is Korea's traditional heating method.
How to use 온돌 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ondol (underfloor heating)” is 온돌, romanized as Ondol.
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 온돌.
Pronunciation Guide
온 (on) sounds like 'ohn' as in 'on' the table. 돌 (dol) sounds like 'dole' as in 'dole out'. Put it together: 'OHN-dole'.
More Example Sentences
Explaining Korean comfort to a foreigner.
한국의 겨울은 온돌 덕분에 따뜻하게 보낼 수 있어요.
You can spend winter warmly in Korea thanks to ondol.
Practical concern when moving.
새로 이사 갈 집은 온돌이 잘 되어 있는지 확인해야 해요.
I need to check if the ondol is working well in the new house I'm moving to.
Expressing a cozy feeling on a cold day.
온돌 바닥에 앉아서 뜨끈한 차 한 잔 마시고 싶다.
I want to sit on the ondol floor and drink a warm cup of tea.
Cultural Context
온돌 (Ondol) is a traditional Korean underfloor heating system that has been used for centuries. It involves heating the floor, which then radiates warmth throughout the room. This system is deeply ingrained in Korean culture, influencing everything from sitting customs (sitting on the floor is common) to sleeping arrangements (many Koreans sleep on thin mattresses on the floor). Even modern apartments in Korea use a modernized version of ondol, making it a ubiquitous and beloved part of daily life, especially during the cold winters.
Editorial note
We review entries like 온돌 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
온돌방
Ondol room
온돌 바닥
Ondol floor
온돌이 따뜻하다
The ondol is warm
Related Expressions
난방
Nanbang
Heating (general term)
바닥 난방
Badak nanbang
Floor heating
구들
Gudeul
Traditional ondol flue system (historical term)
찜질방
Jjimjilbang
Korean bathhouse (often features ondol-heated rooms)
More Architecture Words
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