Korean Dictionary
How to say "Subject" in Korean
“Subject” in Korean is 과목 (pronounced "Gwamok").
과목
Gwamok
Usage & Context
Korean students study a wide range of subjects (과목), including Korean language, mathematics, science, English, social studies, history, art, music, and physical education. The number of compulsory subjects increases as students advance to high school, where exam preparation becomes the primary academic focus.
Example Sentence
좋아하는 과목이 뭐예요?
What is your favorite subject?
How to use 과목 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Subject” is 과목, romanized as Gwamok.
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 과목.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '과' (gwa), sounds like 'gwa' in 'guava' but with a slightly softer 'g' sound. The second syllable, '목' (mok), rhymes with the English word 'mock.' The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
A student asking a friend about their course load for the upcoming semester.
이번 학기에 어떤 과목을 들을 거예요?
What subjects are you taking this semester?
A student discussing their academic preferences with a teacher or parent.
저는 예체능 과목보다 과학 과목을 더 좋아해요.
I prefer science subjects over arts and physical education subjects.
An adult reminiscing about the academic pressures of their high school days.
고등학교 때는 필수 과목이 너무 많아서 힘들었어요.
It was tough in high school because there were too many compulsory subjects.
Cultural Context
In the highly competitive Korean education system, '과목' (subject) often carries the weight of academic performance and future prospects. Students frequently categorize subjects as '수능 과목' (CSAT subjects) or '내신 과목' (internal GPA subjects), reflecting the intense focus on university entrance exams. The strategic choice of elective subjects can be crucial for university admissions, aiming for better grades or specific majors.
Editorial note
We review entries like 과목 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
좋아하는 과목
favorite subject
어려운 과목
difficult subject
주요 과목
main/core subjects
Related Expressions
교과
Gyogwa
curriculum, school subject (more formal/academic)
전공
Jeongong
major (university)
필수 과목
Pilsu gwamok
compulsory subject
선택 과목
Seontaek gwamok
elective subject
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