Korean Dictionary
How to say "Traditional market" in Korean
“Traditional market” in Korean is 전통시장 (pronounced "Jeontong sijang").
전통시장
Jeontong sijang
Usage & Context
Traditional Korean markets offer an authentic experience of Korean culture and food. Famous ones include Gwangjang Market (광장시장), Namdaemun Market (남대문시장), and Dongdaemun Market (동대문시장). Great places to try street food and find unique souvenirs.
Example Sentence
광장시장에 가면 다양한 먹거리가 있어요.
At Gwangjang Market, there are various foods to eat.
How to use 전통시장 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Traditional market” is 전통시장, romanized as Jeontong sijang.
Usage tip
Pair this travel word with polite request endings like -요 so it works in hotels, stations, taxis, and shops.
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 전통시장.
Pronunciation Guide
전 (jeon) sounds like 'john' with a soft 'y' sound. 통 (tong) is like 'tongue' but with a slightly harder 't'. 시 (si) is like 'she'. 장 (jang) is like 'jang' in 'jang-go'. Put it together: 'Jeon-tong shee-jang'.
More Example Sentences
Recommending a market to a friend.
이 전통시장은 먹거리가 풍부해서 좋아요.
This traditional market is great because it has abundant food.
Talking about weekend activities.
주말에 전통시장에 가서 장을 봤어요.
I went to a traditional market and did groceries on the weekend.
Planning an outing with a foreign friend.
외국인 친구에게 한국의 전통시장을 소개해 주고 싶어요.
I want to introduce Korea's traditional market to my foreign friend.
Cultural Context
Traditional markets are vibrant hubs of Korean life, not just for groceries but also for socializing and enjoying street food. Many, like Gwangjang Market or Namdaemun Market, are famous for specific items or food alleys. Visiting one offers an authentic glimpse into Korean culture, where you can haggle (sometimes!) and try diverse local snacks like tteokbokki, bindaetteok, and gyeranppang.
Editorial note
We review entries like 전통시장 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
전통시장 구경하다
To look around a traditional market
전통시장에서 장보다
To do groceries at a traditional market
전통시장 먹거리
Traditional market street food
Related Expressions
재래시장
Jaerae sijang
Traditional market (older term, often interchangeable)
시장
Sijang
Market (general term)
마트
Mateu
Supermarket (modern alternative)
백화점
Baekhwajeom
Department store (upscale shopping)
More Travel Words
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