Korean Dictionary
How to say "Priority Seat" in Korean
“Priority Seat” in Korean is 노약자석 (pronounced "noyakjaseok").
노약자석
noyakjaseok
Usage & Context
노약자석 are reserved seats on Korean subway cars designated for the elderly, pregnant women, disabled individuals, and those with young children. In Korean subway culture there is strong social pressure not to sit in 노약자석 even when the car is not full. Many young Koreans avoid 노약자석 entirely out of respect for potential users.
Example Sentence
노약자석은 어르신들을 위해 비워두세요.
Please keep the priority seats empty for the elderly.
How to use 노약자석 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Priority Seat” is 노약자석, romanized as noyakjaseok.
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 노약자석.
Pronunciation Guide
노 (no) sounds like "no" in English. 약 (yak) sounds like "yak" in "yakitori". 자 (ja) sounds like "ja" in "jar". 석 (seok) sounds like "seok" in "sock" but with a slightly tighter 'o' sound. The word flows smoothly, with no strong stress on any particular syllable.
More Example Sentences
A young person discussing subway etiquette.
지하철에 노약자석이 비어있어도 앉기 좀 그래요.
Even if the priority seats are empty on the subway, I feel a bit hesitant to sit there.
Advice for pregnant women on public transport.
임산부 배지를 달면 노약자석에 앉아도 괜찮아요.
If you wear a pregnant woman's badge, it's okay to sit in the priority seat.
Public service announcement or general etiquette reminder.
어르신이 오시면 노약자석을 양보해야 합니다.
If an elderly person comes, you must yield the priority seat.
Cultural Context
노약자석 is a deeply ingrained concept in Korean public transport culture. Even when empty, many young and middle-aged Koreans avoid sitting there due to strong social pressure and respect for the elderly, pregnant, or disabled. This cultural norm is often depicted in K-dramas, where characters might feel awkward or even guilty if they sit in these seats, highlighting the collective emphasis on consideration for vulnerable groups.
Editorial note
We review entries like 노약자석 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
노약자석 비워두기
keeping priority seats empty
노약자석에 앉지 마세요
Please don't sit in the priority seats.
노약자석입니다
These are priority seats.
Related Expressions
임산부 배려석
imsanbu baeryeoseok
pregnant women's priority seat (often pink)
경로우대
gyeongno-udae
elderly preferential treatment
자리 양보
jari yangbo
yielding a seat
대중교통
daejunggyotong
public transportation
More Transportation Words
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