Korean Dictionary
How to say "Volunteering" in Korean
“Volunteering” in Korean is 봉사 활동 (pronounced "Bongsa Hwaldong").
봉사 활동
Bongsa Hwaldong
Usage & Context
Volunteering is a meaningful leisure activity in Korea. Many Koreans spend their free time helping others through organized volunteer programs.
Example Sentence
주말에 봉사 활동을 하면서 보람을 느껴요.
I feel rewarded by volunteering on weekends.
How to use 봉사 활동 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Volunteering” is 봉사 활동, romanized as Bongsa Hwaldong.
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 봉사 활동.
Pronunciation Guide
봉 (bong) sounds like "bong" as in "song." 사 (sa) is like "sa" in "sahara." 활 (hwal) is pronounced like "hwahl" as in "whale" but with an 'ah' sound. 동 (dong) is like "dong" in "dongle." Combine it as "Bong-sa Hwal-dong."
More Example Sentences
Recalling past experiences during college years.
대학교 때 봉사 활동을 많이 했어요.
I did a lot of volunteering during university.
Expressing personal satisfaction from volunteer work.
봉사 활동을 통해 사회에 기여하는 보람을 느껴요.
I feel the reward of contributing to society through volunteering.
Stating future plans for volunteer work.
이번 주말에 유기견 보호소에서 봉사 활동을 할 예정이에요.
I'm planning to volunteer at an abandoned dog shelter this weekend.
Cultural Context
Volunteering, or '봉사 활동' (bongsa hwaldong), is a meaningful activity often encouraged from a young age in Korea, sometimes even a requirement for school or university applications. Many companies also promote corporate social responsibility through employee volunteering programs. It's widely seen as a way to give back to the community, develop empathy, and contribute positively to society. Popular areas include helping the elderly, children, environmental clean-ups, and animal shelters.
Editorial note
We review entries like 봉사 활동 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
봉사 활동 같이 갈까요?
Shall we go volunteering together?
봉사 활동 신청했어요.
I applied for volunteer work.
봉사 활동 시간 채워야 해요.
I need to fulfill my volunteer hours.
Related Expressions
자원봉사
Jawonbongsa
Volunteer (person)
봉사하다
Bongsahada
To volunteer/serve
사회 공헌
Sahoe Gongheon
Social contribution
나눔
Nanum
Sharing (often in context of charity)
More Hobbies & Leisure Words
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