Korean Dictionary
How to say "Second (Time Unit)" in Korean
“Second (Time Unit)” in Korean is 초 (pronounced "cho").
초
cho
Usage & Context
The unit of time for seconds, used in measuring short durations. This is commonly used in sports, cooking, and precise timing.
Example Sentence
30초를 기다려요.
I wait for 30 seconds.
How to use 초 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Second (Time Unit)” is 초, romanized as cho.
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 초.
Pronunciation Guide
"초" (cho) is pronounced "choh." It rhymes with the English words "go" or "show," but with a distinct 'ch' sound at the beginning, like in "church."
More Example Sentences
Giving cooking instructions.
라면은 3분 30초 후에 드세요.
Eat the ramen after 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
Setting a time limit in a game or quiz.
10초 안에 답을 맞춰야 해요.
You have to guess the answer within 10 seconds.
Asking someone to wait briefly.
잠시만요, 5초만 기다려 주세요.
Just a moment, please wait for 5 seconds.
Cultural Context
초 (cho) is the standard unit for 'second' in Korean, used universally for measuring short durations. You'll encounter it in various situations, from sports commentary (e.g., '10초 남았습니다!' - 10 seconds left!) to K-pop lyrics referring to fleeting moments. It's often used in conjunction with other time units like 분 (bun, minute) and 시 (si, hour) to express precise times.
Editorial note
We review entries like 초 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
몇 초
how many seconds
1초도 안 돼서
in less than a second
초 단위
in seconds (second by second)
Related Expressions
분
bun
minute
시
si
hour
시간
sigan
time
순간
sungan
moment, instant
More Numbers and Time Words
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