Korean Dictionary
How to say "Scale" in Korean
“Scale” in Korean is 음계 (pronounced "Eumgye").
음계
Eumgye
Usage & Context
A sequence of notes in ascending or descending order. Fundamental in music theory and vocal training.
Example Sentence
음계 연습을 해요.
I practice scales.
How to use 음계 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Scale” is 음계, romanized as Eumgye.
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 음계.
Pronunciation Guide
음 (eum) sounds like 'oom' in 'boom' but shorter. 계 (gye) sounds like 'gye' in 'gyeo-ul' (winter), similar to 'gay' but with a 'y' sound before the 'e'. Put them together as 'Oom-gye', with fairly even stress.
More Example Sentences
Describing the musical quality of a song.
이 노래는 음계가 정말 아름다워요.
This song's scale is truly beautiful.
Discussing the fundamentals of learning a musical instrument.
피아노를 배우려면 먼저 음계부터 익혀야 해요.
If you want to learn piano, you need to master scales first.
Explaining vocal warm-up routines for singers.
가수들은 목을 풀기 위해 음계 연습을 많이 해요.
Singers practice scales a lot to warm up their voices.
Cultural Context
음계 (eumgye) is a fundamental musical term, directly translating to 'musical scale'. In Korea, especially within the rigorous K-pop training system, extensive scale practice is a cornerstone of vocal development for aspiring idols. While it's a technical term, its importance in achieving vocal proficiency is widely recognized, making it a common concept in any discussion about singing or instrumental learning.
Editorial note
We review entries like 음계 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
음계 연습
Scale practice
장음계
Major scale
단음계
Minor scale
Related Expressions
화음
hwaeum
Chord
멜로디
mellodi
Melody
박자
bakja
Rhythm/Beat
음정
eumjeong
Pitch/Interval
More Music Words
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