Korean Dictionary
How to say "Public transportation" in Korean
“Public transportation” in Korean is 대중교통 (pronounced "Daejunggyotong").
대중교통
Daejunggyotong
Usage & Context
Korea's public transportation system is excellent. Seoul's subway (지하철) is efficient, clean, and extensive. Bus systems are well-organized and color-coded. Intercity trains (KTX, SRT) connect major cities rapidly. The T-money card (티머니) works across all modes of transit.
Example Sentence
서울은 대중교통이 잘 되어 있어서 차가 없어도 괜찮아요.
Seoul's public transportation is so well-developed that it's fine without a car.
How to use 대중교통 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Public transportation” is 대중교통, romanized as Daejunggyotong.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 대중교통.
Pronunciation Guide
대 (dae) sounds like 'day'. 중 (jung) sounds like 'joong' in 'moon' with a 'j'. 교 (gyo) is like 'gyo' in 'yogurt' but with a 'g' sound. 통 (tong) sounds like 'tong' in 'tongue'. Put it together as 'DAY-joong-GYO-tong', with a slight emphasis on 'DAY' and 'GYO'.
More Example Sentences
Commuting during peak hours in a city.
출퇴근 시간에는 대중교통이 정말 붐벼요.
During rush hour, public transportation is really crowded.
Planning a trip to a new city.
여행 갈 때는 대중교통을 이용하는 게 훨씬 편해요.
When traveling, using public transportation is much more convenient.
Praising the infrastructure of a major city.
서울은 대중교통 시스템이 세계 최고 수준이에요.
Seoul's public transportation system is world-class.
Cultural Context
Korea's public transportation, especially in major cities like Seoul, is renowned for its efficiency, cleanliness, and extensive network. The T-money card is a must-have, allowing seamless transfers between subways and buses. Many Koreans, even those who own cars, prefer using public transport for daily commutes due to traffic congestion and parking difficulties. It's a key part of urban life.
Editorial note
We review entries like 대중교통 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
대중교통을 이용하다
To use public transportation
대중교통이 편리하다
Public transportation is convenient
대중교통 요금
Public transportation fare
Related Expressions
지하철
jihacheol
Subway
버스
beoseu
Bus
택시
taeksi
Taxi
자가용
jagayong
Private car (antonym in usage context)
More Daily Life Words
Related Articles
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Public transportation and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
