Korean Dictionary
How to say "Valley" in Korean
“Valley” in Korean is 계곡 (pronounced "Gyegok").
계곡
Gyegok
Usage & Context
A low area between hills or mountains. Korean mountain valleys (계곡) are popular summer retreats where families cool off in clear mountain streams. 발 담그기 (dangling feet in the water) and 물놀이 (water play) in valley streams are beloved summer traditions. Famous valleys include 설악산 계곡 and 지리산 계곡.
Example Sentence
여름에 계곡에서 발 담그고 쉬면 정말 시원해요.
Resting with your feet in a valley stream in summer is really refreshing.
How to use 계곡 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Valley” is 계곡, romanized as Gyegok.
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 계곡.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '계' (gye), sounds like 'geh-yoh' but with a softer 'y' sound, similar to 'gyeo' in 'gyeo-ul' (winter). The second syllable, '곡' (gok), sounds like 'gohk' in 'go-kart,' ending with a crisp 'k' sound. The stress is typically on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Planning a summer vacation activity.
여름 휴가 때 가족들과 계곡으로 피서 갈 거예요.
I'm going to a valley for a summer retreat with my family during vacation.
Enjoying the refreshing water in nature.
이 계곡 물은 정말 맑고 시원해서 발 담그기 좋아요.
The water in this valley is really clear and cool, perfect for dipping your feet.
Describing a popular outdoor meal experience.
등산 후에 계곡에서 먹는 백숙은 정말 꿀맛이에요.
Baek-suk (boiled chicken) eaten in a valley after hiking is truly delicious.
Cultural Context
'계곡' holds a special place in Korean summer culture. When temperatures soar, escaping to a cool mountain valley for '피서' (summer retreat) is a cherished tradition. Families often set up tents, picnic, and enjoy '물놀이' (water play) in the clear streams. Many restaurants near famous valleys specialize in '백숙' (boiled chicken) or '닭볶음탕' (spicy chicken stew), which are popular post-swim meals.
Editorial note
We review entries like 계곡 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
계곡 물
valley water/stream
계곡 피서
summer retreat in a valley
계곡 캠핑
valley camping
Related Expressions
골짜기
goljjagi
gorge, ravine (often narrower)
산골
sangol
mountain village/valley (implies human settlement)
강
gang
river
바다
bada
sea (antonym in terms of summer destination)
More Nature Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Valley and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
