Korean Dictionary
How to say "Self-Study Room" in Korean
“Self-Study Room” in Korean is 독서실 (pronounced "doksseosil").
독서실
doksseosil
Usage & Context
A quiet room for independent study. Self-study rooms are common in Korea and students pay to use them. They provide a focused environment for studying.
Example Sentence
독서실에서 공부했다.
I studied in the self-study room.
How to use 독서실 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Self-Study Room” is 독서실, romanized as doksseosil.
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 독서실.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 독 (dok), sounds like "dock" in "dock a boat." The second syllable, 서 (seo), sounds like "saw" in "saw a log." The last syllable, 실 (sil), sounds like "sill" in "windowsill." Combine them as DOK-saw-SIL, with a relatively even stress.
More Example Sentences
A student looking for a place to study during exams.
시험 기간이라 독서실 자리가 없어요.
It's exam season, so there are no seats available at the self-study room.
A tired student telling a friend about their intense study session.
독서실에서 밤새 공부하고 나왔어.
I studied all night at the self-study room and just came out.
Recommending a good study spot to someone.
우리 동네 독서실은 시설이 정말 좋아요.
The self-study room in our neighborhood has really good facilities.
Cultural Context
독서실 (doksseosil) are a quintessential part of Korean study culture, providing a quiet, focused environment for students and even adults preparing for various exams (e.g., civil service, professional licenses). Unlike libraries, they often require a fee for daily or monthly use, offering individual cubicles or desks. Many feature amenities like small cafes, lockers, and even sleeping rooms, reflecting the intense dedication to academic and professional advancement in Korea.
Editorial note
We review entries like 독서실 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
독서실에 가다
to go to a self-study room
독서실에서 공부하다
to study in a self-study room
독서실 자리
self-study room seat/spot
Related Expressions
스터디 카페
seuteodi kape
study cafe (more modern, open concept)
도서관
doseogwan
library
열람실
yeollamsil
reading room (often in a library)
공부방
gongbubang
study room (can be a private room at home or a small study center)
More School Life Words
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