Korean Dictionary
How to say "Physical Education" in Korean
“Physical Education” in Korean is 체육 (pronounced "Cheyuk").
체육
Cheyuk
Usage & Context
Physical Education (체육) is a compulsory subject in Korean schools that includes sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball, and traditional Korean activities. As academic pressure intensifies in high school, 체육 class provides a welcome physical and mental break. Sports clubs and school athletic competitions are important social events.
Example Sentence
체육 시간에 축구를 했어요.
We played soccer in PE class.
How to use 체육 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Physical Education” is 체육, romanized as Cheyuk.
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 체육.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '체' (che), sounds like 'che' in 'check' or 'chess'. The second syllable, '육' (yuk), sounds like 'yook' in 'book' but with a 'y' sound at the beginning. The 'ch' sound is soft, similar to 'ch' in 'church'.
More Example Sentences
A student expressing enjoyment for a school subject.
체육 시간은 언제나 즐거워요.
PE class is always fun.
Asking a classmate about the upcoming PE activity.
이번 체육 시간에 농구 할 건가요?
Are we going to play basketball in PE this time?
A student realizing they left their uniform at home.
체육복을 깜빡하고 안 가져왔어요.
I forgot to bring my PE uniform.
Cultural Context
체육 (cheyuk) is a vital part of the Korean school curriculum, offering a much-needed break from intense academic studies, especially in middle and high school. While academics are prioritized, 체육 classes are where students can let loose, play sports like soccer (축구), basketball (농구), and even traditional Korean games. School sports festivals (체육대회) are major annual events, fostering school spirit and friendly competition, often seen in K-dramas.
Editorial note
We review entries like 체육 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
체육 시간
PE time/class
체육 선생님
PE teacher
체육 대회
sports competition
Related Expressions
운동
undong
exercise, sports
체육복
cheyukbok
PE uniform
체육관
cheyukgwan
gymnasium
스포츠
seupocheu
sports
More Education Words
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