Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sunrise" in Korean
“Sunrise” in Korean is 일출 (pronounced "Ilchul").
일출
Ilchul
Usage & Context
The rising of the sun. Watching the first sunrise of the new year (새해 첫 일출) is a beloved Korean tradition. People climb mountains or go to east coast beaches like 정동진 (Jeongdongjin) or 강릉 (Gangneung) overnight to witness this. Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉) in Jeju is a famous sunrise spot.
Example Sentence
새해 첫날 일출을 보러 동해에 갔어요.
I went to the East Sea to watch the first sunrise of the new year.
How to use 일출 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sunrise” is 일출, romanized as Ilchul.
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 일출.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Il' like 'ill' in English. 'Chul' is pronounced like 'ch' in 'church' followed by 'ool' as in 'pool'. The 'l' in 'Il' connects slightly to 'chul'.
More Example Sentences
Describing a New Year's tradition.
새해 첫 일출을 보러 해돋이 명소에 갔어요.
I went to a sunrise spot to see the first sunrise of the New Year.
Checking the daily schedule or weather.
일출 시간은 오전 7시 30분입니다.
Sunrise time is 7:30 AM.
Recalling a memorable travel experience.
바다 위로 떠오르는 일출이 정말 아름다웠어요.
The sunrise rising over the sea was truly beautiful.
Cultural Context
Watching the first sunrise of the new year (새해 첫 일출) is a deeply cherished tradition in Korea, believed to bring good luck and allow one to make wishes for the year ahead. Popular spots like Jeongdongjin (정동진) on the east coast or Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉) in Jeju Island become crowded with people who travel overnight to witness this symbolic event. It's a communal experience, often accompanied by hot drinks and shared hopes.
Editorial note
We review entries like 일출 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
일출을 보다
To watch the sunrise.
일출 명소
Famous sunrise spot.
새해 일출
New Year's sunrise.
Related Expressions
일몰
ilmol
Sunset
해돋이
haedoji
Sunrise (more colloquial/native Korean term)
새벽
saebyeok
Dawn, early morning
태양
taeyang
Sun
More Nature Words
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