Korean Dictionary
How to say "Relay Race" in Korean
“Relay Race” in Korean is 릴레이 (pronounced "rilrei").
릴레이
rilrei
Usage & Context
Relay races are popular team events in Korean schools and sports competitions. They emphasize teamwork and coordination among participants.
Example Sentence
릴레이 경주에 참가했어요.
I participated in a relay race.
How to use 릴레이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Relay Race” is 릴레이, romanized as rilrei.
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 릴레이.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '릴레이' as 'ril-lei'. 'Ril' sounds like 'rill', and 'lei' sounds like 'lay'. The double 'ㄹㄹ' in '릴' creates a distinct 'l' sound, similar to the 'll' in 'bell-like'.
More Example Sentences
Excitedly sharing news about a sports victory.
우리 팀이 릴레이에서 1등을 했어요!
Our team came in first in the relay race!
Recalling a common tradition at school sports festivals.
운동회 마지막 종목은 항상 릴레이예요.
The last event of the sports day is always the relay race.
Emphasizing the collaborative aspect of the sport.
릴레이는 팀워크가 정말 중요해요.
Teamwork is really important in a relay race.
Cultural Context
Relay races (릴레이 경주) are a highlight of '운동회' (undonghoe), or school sports days, in Korea. They are incredibly popular and often the most anticipated event, bringing out fierce but friendly competition among classes or teams. The excitement of passing the baton (바통) and cheering for teammates makes it a memorable experience for students and parents alike, symbolizing unity and collective effort.
Editorial note
We review entries like 릴레이 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
릴레이 경주
relay race
릴레이 팀
relay team
바통을 넘기다
to pass the baton
Related Expressions
이어달리기
ieodalligi
relay running
바통
batong
baton
팀워크
timwokeu
teamwork
경주
gyeongju
race
More Sports Words
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