Korean Dictionary
How to say "Rush Hour" in Korean
“Rush Hour” in Korean is 출퇴근 시간 (pronounced "chul toegeun sigan").
출퇴근 시간
chul toegeun sigan
Usage & Context
출퇴근 시간 is the peak transportation period in Korean cities typically from 7-9 AM and 6-9 PM on weekdays. Seoul's subway and bus systems are extremely overcrowded during 출퇴근 시간. Many Korean companies have introduced flexible working hours to reduce 출퇴근 시간 congestion.
Example Sentence
출퇴근 시간에 버스를 타면 서있어야 해요.
If you take the bus during rush hour you have to stand.
How to use 출퇴근 시간 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Rush Hour” is 출퇴근 시간, romanized as chul toegeun sigan.
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 출퇴근 시간.
Pronunciation Guide
The first part, '출퇴근' (chul-toe-geun), sounds like 'chul' (as in 'chug'), 'tway' (like 'twa' in 'twas'), and 'goon' (like 'goon'). The second part, '시간' (si-gan), sounds like 'she' and 'gahn'. Put it together: 'chul-tway-goon she-gahn'.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about public transport during peak times.
출퇴근 시간에는 지하철이 정말 복잡해요.
The subway is really crowded during rush hour.
Explaining a strategy to avoid congestion.
저는 출퇴근 시간을 피해서 일찍 출근해요.
I go to work early to avoid rush hour.
A news report or discussion about urban traffic problems.
출퇴근 시간 교통 체증이 심각합니다.
Rush hour traffic congestion is severe.
Cultural Context
Rush hour in major Korean cities, especially Seoul, is notorious for its extreme congestion on subways and buses. It's common to see subway cars packed to capacity, with people literally pushing to get in. Many Koreans adjust their schedules, like leaving earlier or later, to avoid the peak '지옥철' (jiokcheol, 'hell subway') experience. Companies are increasingly offering flexible working hours to help employees manage this daily challenge.
Editorial note
We review entries like 출퇴근 시간 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
출퇴근 시간이라서 차가 많이 막혀요.
It's rush hour, so there's a lot of traffic.
출퇴근 시간에 이동하는 건 정말 힘들어요.
Traveling during rush hour is really tough.
출퇴근 시간을 잘 활용해야 해요.
You need to make good use of your commute time.
Related Expressions
교통 체증
gyotong chejeung
Traffic congestion
피크 시간
pikeu sigan
Peak time
막히다
makhida
To be blocked/congested
혼잡하다
honjaphada
To be crowded/congested
More Transportation Words
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