Korean Dictionary
How to say "Stairs" in Korean
“Stairs” in Korean is 계단 (pronounced "gyedan").
계단
gyedan
Usage & Context
Stairs are used for moving between different levels. The term 계단 is commonly used in Korean buildings. Many Koreans use stairs for exercise.
Example Sentence
계단으로 올라가요.
I go up the stairs.
How to use 계단 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Stairs” is 계단, romanized as gyedan.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 계단.
Pronunciation Guide
'Gye' is pronounced like 'geh-yeh', similar to the 'ge' in 'get' followed by a soft 'yeh' sound. 'Dan' is like 'dahn' in 'dawn'. So, 'geh-yeh-dahn'.
More Example Sentences
Choosing to take the stairs for exercise or because the elevator is busy.
엘리베이터 대신 계단으로 걸어 올라갔어요.
I walked up the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
Complaining after climbing a long flight of stairs.
계단이 너무 많아서 다리가 아파요.
My legs hurt because there are too many stairs.
Warning someone about a potential hazard on the stairs.
조심하세요, 계단이 미끄러워요.
Be careful, the stairs are slippery.
Cultural Context
In Korea, especially in subway stations or older buildings, you'll often encounter long flights of stairs. While escalators and elevators are common, many people still use stairs for exercise. It's also common to see signs encouraging people to use stairs for health benefits. In traditional Korean houses (한옥), stairs are less common, with most living spaces on a single level or with minimal steps.
Editorial note
We review entries like 계단 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
계단을 오르다
to go up the stairs
계단을 내려가다
to go down the stairs
계단 조심
watch your step on the stairs (caution stairs)
Related Expressions
엘리베이터
ellibeiteo
elevator
에스컬레이터
eseukeolleiteo
escalator
오르다
oreuda
to go up, to climb
내려가다
naeryeogada
to go down
More Daily Life Words
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