Korean Dictionary
How to say "Tuition" in Korean
“Tuition” in Korean is 등록금 (pronounced "Deungrokgeum").
등록금
Deungrokgeum
Usage & Context
University tuition (등록금) in Korea is a significant financial burden for many families. Tuition fees vary by institution and major, with private universities generally more expensive than national ones. High 등록금 has been a political and social issue in Korea, leading to protests and government policies to reduce the financial strain on students and families.
Example Sentence
이번 학기 등록금을 납부했어요.
I paid the tuition for this semester.
How to use 등록금 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Tuition” is 등록금, romanized as Deungrokgeum.
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 등록금.
Pronunciation Guide
'Deung' sounds like 'dung' (as in animal dung). 'Rok' sounds like 'rock'. 'Geum' sounds like 'goom' (like 'gum' but with a slightly more 'oo' sound and a soft 'g').
More Example Sentences
A university student complaining to a friend about the cost of education.
이번 학기 등록금 너무 비싸요.
This semester's tuition is too expensive.
An announcement from the university administration to students.
등록금 납부 기간을 놓치지 마세요.
Don't miss the tuition payment period.
A student confiding in a close friend about family financial struggles.
부모님께서 등록금 때문에 힘들어하세요.
My parents are having a hard time because of tuition fees.
Cultural Context
University tuition (등록금) in Korea is a significant financial burden for many families, with private universities generally being more expensive than national ones. The high cost of 등록금 has been a recurring social and political issue, leading to student protests and government initiatives aimed at reducing the financial strain. Many students take out student loans (학자금 대출) or work part-time jobs (아르바이트) to help cover these costs.
Editorial note
We review entries like 등록금 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
등록금 내다
to pay tuition
등록금 인상
tuition increase
등록금 부담
tuition burden
Related Expressions
학비
hakbi
school expenses, tuition fees
수업료
sueopryo
class fees, tuition (more general)
입학금
iphakgeum
admission fee
납부하다
nappuhada
to pay, to make a payment
More Education Words
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