Korean Dictionary
How to say "Roundabout" in Korean
“Roundabout” in Korean is 회전교차로 (pronounced "hoejon gyocharo").
회전교차로
hoejon gyocharo
Usage & Context
회전교차로 are increasingly being installed in Korea to replace traditional 교차로 as they reduce accidents and improve traffic flow. Korean traffic laws give priority to vehicles already in the 회전교차로. Many older Korean neighborhoods have traditional roundabouts called 로터리 which operate similarly.
Example Sentence
회전교차로에서는 안에 있는 차가 우선이에요.
At a roundabout vehicles inside have the right of way.
How to use 회전교차로 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Roundabout” is 회전교차로, romanized as hoejon gyocharo.
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 회전교차로.
Pronunciation Guide
The first part, "Hoejon," sounds like "hweh-jon" (like 'hweh' in 'hwe-ja' and 'jon' like 'john'). The second part, "gyocharo," is pronounced like the word for intersection. Say it as "hweh-jon gyo-cha-roh," with a slight pause between "회전" and "교차로."
More Example Sentences
Explaining traffic rules.
회전교차로에서는 진입하는 차보다 회전 중인 차가 우선입니다.
At a roundabout, vehicles already circulating have priority over those entering.
Praising traffic flow in an area.
이 동네는 회전교차로가 많아서 운전하기 편해요.
This neighborhood has many roundabouts, so it's easy to drive.
Discussing urban planning benefits.
회전교차로 덕분에 교통 체증이 줄었어요.
Thanks to the roundabout, traffic congestion has decreased.
Cultural Context
While traditional intersections (교차로) are still prevalent, Korea has been actively replacing some with 회전교차로 (roundabouts) in recent years. This is part of an effort to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow, especially in smaller cities and residential areas. You might also hear the term "로터리" (roteori), which refers to older, larger traffic circles, sometimes with traffic lights, that function similarly but aren't always true roundabouts in the modern sense.
Editorial note
We review entries like 회전교차로 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
회전교차로 진입
entering a roundabout
회전교차로 통행 방법
roundabout driving rules
회전교차로에서 나가다
to exit a roundabout
Related Expressions
로터리
roteori
traffic circle, older type of roundabout
원형 교차로
wonhyeong gyocharo
circular intersection (synonym for roundabout)
교통 흐름
gyotong heureum
traffic flow
교통 체증
gyotong chejeung
traffic congestion
More Transportation Words
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