Korean Dictionary
How to say "One-Way Street" in Korean
“One-Way Street” in Korean is 일방통행 (pronounced "ilbang tonghaeng").
일방통행
ilbang tonghaeng
Usage & Context
일방통행 streets are common in dense Korean city centers and residential areas to manage traffic flow. Korean navigation apps clearly indicate 일방통행 restrictions to prevent wrong-way driving. Violating 일방통행 rules in Korea can result in traffic fines and demerit points on the driver's license.
Example Sentence
이 길은 일방통행이라서 돌아가야 해요.
This road is one-way so we have to go around.
How to use 일방통행 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “One-Way Street” is 일방통행, romanized as ilbang tonghaeng.
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 일방통행.
Pronunciation Guide
For '일' (il), say it like 'ill'. '방' (bang) sounds like 'bang'. '통' (tong) is like 'tong' (as in 'tongs'). '행' (haeng) is pronounced like 'hang'. The syllables are pronounced distinctly with a slight pause between '일방' and '통행'.
More Example Sentences
Warning a driver about a narrow street.
이 골목은 일방통행이니 조심하세요.
This alley is one-way, so be careful.
Praising the usefulness of a navigation app.
내비게이션이 일방통행 길을 잘 알려줘서 편해요.
The navigation system conveniently tells you about one-way streets.
Recounting a near-miss driving incident.
일방통행 표지판을 못 보고 역주행할 뻔했어요.
I almost drove the wrong way because I didn't see the one-way sign.
Cultural Context
일방통행 (ilbang tonghaeng) streets are very common in the older, denser parts of Korean cities and residential areas, designed to manage traffic flow in narrow spaces. Korean navigation apps are highly sophisticated and crucial for drivers, as they clearly indicate one-way restrictions. Violating these rules can lead to traffic fines and demerit points, so drivers are expected to pay close attention to signs and navigation warnings.
Editorial note
We review entries like 일방통행 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
일방통행 길
one-way road
일방통행 표지판
one-way sign
일방통행 위반
one-way violation
Related Expressions
양방통행
yangbang tonghaeng
two-way traffic
통행금지
tonghaeng geumji
no entry, traffic prohibited
우회전
uhoejjeon
right turn
좌회전
jwahoetjeon
left turn
More Transportation Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice One-Way Street and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
