Korean Dictionary
How to say "Washing Machine" in Korean
“Washing Machine” in Korean is 세탁기 (pronounced "setakgi").
세탁기
setakgi
Usage & Context
A washing machine is used for cleaning clothes. The term 세탁기 is essential in Korean households. Most Korean apartments have washing machines in the kitchen or bathroom.
Example Sentence
옷을 세탁기에 넣어요.
I put clothes in the washing machine.
How to use 세탁기 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Washing Machine” is 세탁기, romanized as setakgi.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 세탁기.
Pronunciation Guide
세탁기 (setakgi) is pronounced "seh-tahk-gee". '세' sounds like 'say', '탁' like 'tack' (as in thumbtack), and '기' like 'gee' (as in 'gee whiz'). The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
Asking for the location of a communal laundry facility or a washing machine in an apartment building.
이 건물에 세탁기가 어디에 있어요?
Where is the washing machine in this building?
Complaining about a broken appliance and the extra work it caused.
세탁기가 고장 나서 손빨래해야 했어요.
The washing machine broke down, so I had to hand wash.
Shopping for a new washing machine for a new home.
새 아파트에 들어갈 세탁기를 보러 왔어요.
I came to look at washing machines for my new apartment.
Cultural Context
Most Korean apartments come equipped with a washing machine, often a front-loading model, typically located in the kitchen under the counter, in a small utility room, or on a balcony. Coin laundromats (코인 세탁방) are also very common, especially for larger items like blankets or for those living in older buildings without in-unit machines.
Editorial note
We review entries like 세탁기 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
세탁기 돌리다
to run the washing machine (literally 'turn the washing machine')
세탁기 안에 옷 넣다
to put clothes in the washing machine
세탁기에서 빨래 꺼내다
to take laundry out of the washing machine
Related Expressions
세탁소
setakso
dry cleaner's / laundry shop
빨래
ppallae
laundry (the act or the clothes)
건조기
geonjogi
dryer (clothes dryer)
세제
seje
detergent
More Daily Life Words
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