Korean Dictionary
How to say "Timeout" in Korean
“Timeout” in Korean is 벌칙 시간 (pronounced "Beolchik sigan").
벌칙 시간
Beolchik sigan
Usage & Context
A disciplinary technique where a child is isolated for a period. Some Korean parents use timeout as a consequence for misbehavior.
Example Sentence
아이가 벌칙 시간을 받았습니다.
The child received a timeout.
How to use 벌칙 시간 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Timeout” is 벌칙 시간, romanized as Beolchik sigan.
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 벌칙 시간.
Pronunciation Guide
벌 (beol) sounds like 'buh-l' with a soft 'l' at the end, similar to 'bowl' without the 'w'. 칙 (chik) is like 'chick'. 시 (si) sounds like 'see'. 간 (gan) is pronounced like 'gahn' as in 'gone'. The syllables flow smoothly without strong emphasis on any one.
More Example Sentences
A parent explaining why their child is in timeout.
아이가 장난감을 던져서 벌칙 시간을 받았어요.
The child threw a toy and got a timeout.
A parenting expert discussing the benefits of timeout.
벌칙 시간은 아이에게 자신의 행동을 돌아볼 기회를 줍니다.
Timeout gives the child a chance to reflect on their actions.
A parent talking about their child's school experience.
선생님은 아이에게 5분 동안 벌칙 시간을 주셨어요.
The teacher gave the child a 5-minute timeout.
Cultural Context
While 'timeout' is a Western concept, its practice has become increasingly common in modern Korean parenting, especially among younger generations. Traditionally, more direct forms of discipline or scolding (꾸중, kku-jung) were prevalent. '벌칙 시간' specifically refers to the disciplinary isolation, distinguishing it from a simple 'break time' (휴식 시간, hyusik sigan). It's often seen as a gentler alternative to physical punishment.
Editorial note
We review entries like 벌칙 시간 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
벌칙 시간을 주다
to give a timeout
벌칙 시간을 받다
to receive a timeout
벌칙 시간 의자
timeout chair
Related Expressions
훈육
hunyuk
discipline
반성
banseong
reflection, self-reproach
꾸중
kkujung
scolding, reprimand
휴식 시간
hyusik sigan
break time
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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