Understanding how to dress appropriately for Korea’s distinct seasons is essential for comfort and fitting in. This guide provides key Korean phrases for asking about suitable attire based on seasonal changes and daily weather conditions, helping you navigate temperature shifts and dress comfortably throughout the year.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 오늘 뭐 입어야 돼요?
Pronunciation: o-neul mwo ib-eo-ya dwae-yo?
Meaning: What should I wear today?
Basic Weather and Clothing Questions
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Expression: 오늘 날씨 어때요?
Pronunciation: o-neul nal-ssi eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How is the weather today? -
Expression: 지금 밖에 추워요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum bakk-e chu-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is it cold outside now? -
Expression: 지금 밖에 더워요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum bakk-e deo-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is it hot outside now? -
Expression: 내일은 뭐 입는 게 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: nae-il-eun mwo ib-neun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: What would be good to wear tomorrow? -
Expression: 이 옷 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: i ot gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will these clothes be okay? -
Expression: 기온이 몇 도예요?
Pronunciation: gi-on-i myeot do-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the temperature (in degrees)? -
Expression: 비 올 것 같아요?
Pronunciation: bi ol geot gat-a-yo?
Meaning: Does it look like it will rain? -
Expression: 바람 많이 불어요?
Pronunciation: ba-ram man-i bul-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is it very windy? -
Expression: 겉옷 필요할까요?
Pronunciation: geot-ot pil-yo-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will I need outerwear (a jacket/coat)? -
Expression: 얇게 입어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: yal-ge ib-eo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to wear light clothes? -
Expression: 따뜻하게 입어야 해요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-ha-ge ib-eo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to dress warmly?
Seasonal Clothing Questions
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Expression: 봄에는 보통 뭐 입어요?
Pronunciation: bom-e-neun bo-tong mwo ib-eo-yo?
Meaning: What do people usually wear in spring? -
Expression: 여름에 반바지 입어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: yeo-reum-e ban-ba-ji ib-eo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to wear shorts in the summer? -
Expression: 가을 날씨에는 어떤 옷이 적당해요?
Pronunciation: ga-eul nal-ssi-e-neun eo-tteon os-i jeok-dang-hae-yo?
Meaning: What kind of clothes are suitable for autumn weather? -
Expression: 겨울에 얼마나 춥나요?
Pronunciation: gyeo-ul-e eol-ma-na chum-na-yo?
Meaning: How cold does it get in winter? -
Expression: 이 스웨터는 봄에 입기 너무 두꺼울까요?
Pronunciation: i seu-we-teo-neun bom-e ib-gi neo-mu du-kkeo-ul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will this sweater be too thick to wear in spring? -
Expression: 여름 장마철에는 뭘 준비해야 해요?
Pronunciation: yeo-reum jang-ma-cheol-e-neun mwol jun-bi-hae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: What should I prepare for the summer monsoon season? -
Expression: 가을에는 재킷이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: ga-eul-e-neun jae-kis-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a jacket necessary in autumn? -
Expression: 겨울에는 패딩 점퍼가 필수예요?
Pronunciation: gyeo-ul-e-neun pae-ding jeom-peo-ga pil-su-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is a padded jumper (puffer jacket) essential in winter? -
Expression: 환절기에는 어떻게 입는 게 좋아요?
Pronunciation: hwan-jeol-gi-e-neun eo-tteo-ke ib-neun ge jo-a-yo?
Meaning: How is it best to dress during the change of seasons? -
Expression: 실내는 난방/냉방이 잘 돼요?
Pronunciation: sil-lae-neun nan-bang/naeng-bang-i jal dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is the heating/air conditioning good indoors?
Describing Weather and Clothing Needs
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Expression: 날씨가 쌀쌀해요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga ssal-ssal-hae-yo.
Meaning: The weather is chilly. -
Expression: 날씨가 후덥지근해요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga hu-deop-ji-geun-hae-yo.
Meaning: The weather is hot and humid. -
Expression: 일교차가 커요.
Pronunciation: il-gyo-cha-ga keo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a big difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. -
Expression: 따뜻한 옷이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han os-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need warm clothes. -
Expression: 시원한 옷을 입어야겠어요.
Pronunciation: si-won-han os-eul ib-eo-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I should wear cool clothes. -
Expression: 겹쳐 입는 것이 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: gyeop-chyeo ib-neun geos-i jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It would be good to layer clothes. -
Expression: 우산을 챙겨야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: u-san-eul chaeng-gyeo-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I should bring an umbrella. -
Expression: 두꺼운 양말을 신어야겠어요.
Pronunciation: du-kkeo-un yang-mal-eul sin-eo-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I should wear thick socks. -
Expression: 목도리와 장갑도 필요할까요?
Pronunciation: mok-do-ri-wa jang-gap-do pil-yo-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will I also need a scarf and gloves? -
Expression: 오늘은 가볍게 입어도 될 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: o-neul-eun ga-byeop-ge ib-eo-do doel geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think it’s okay to dress lightly today.
Korean Culture Notes
Four Distinct Seasons: Korea experiences four very distinct seasons (봄 – bom/spring, 여름 – yeo-reum/summer, 가을 – ga-eul/autumn, 겨울 – gyeo-ul/winter), each requiring different types of clothing. Summers are hot and humid, often with a monsoon season (장마 – jang-ma), while winters are cold and dry, sometimes with heavy snow.
Importance of Layering: Especially during spring (봄 – bom) and autumn (가을 – ga-eul), the daily temperature range (일교차 – il-gyo-cha) can be significant. Layering clothes is a common and practical approach to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Indoor Climate Control: Buildings in Korea generally have strong heating in winter and air conditioning in summer. Be prepared for significant temperature differences between indoors and outdoors, which also influences clothing choices.
Seasonal Fashion Trends: Koreans are generally fashion-conscious, and clothing styles often change with the seasons. While comfort is key, observing what locals wear can give you ideas for dressing appropriately and stylishly.
‘Hwanjeolgi’ (환절기): This term refers to the transitional period between seasons, known for unpredictable weather and temperature fluctuations. People are often extra mindful about dressing appropriately during hwanjeolgi to avoid catching a cold.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex is visiting Korea in late autumn and asks a Korean friend, Minji, for advice on what to wear tomorrow.
Characters:
A: Alex (Visitor)
B: Minji (Korean Friend)
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Expression: A: 민지 씨, 내일 날씨 어떨 것 같아요? 뭐 입어야 할지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: min-ji ssi, nae-il nal-ssi eo-tteol geot gat-a-yo? mwo ib-eo-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Minji, what do you think the weather will be like tomorrow? I’m not sure what I should wear. -
Expression: B: 내일은 오늘보다 조금 더 쌀쌀할 거래요. 아침에는 꽤 추울 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: nae-il-eun o-neul-bo-da jo-geum deo ssal-ssal-hal geo-rae-yo. a-chim-e-neun kkwae chu-ul su iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: They say tomorrow will be a bit chillier than today. It might be quite cold in the morning. -
Expression: A: 아, 그래요? 그럼 두꺼운 코트 입어야 할까요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-rae-yo? geu-reom du-kkeo-un ko-teu ib-eo-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? Should I wear a thick coat then? -
Expression: B: 음… 두꺼운 코트까진 아니더라도, 안에 스웨터 입고 겉옷 챙기는 게 좋을 거예요. 일교차가 커서 낮에는 괜찮을 수도 있거든요.
Pronunciation: eum… du-kkeo-un ko-teu-kka-jin a-ni-deo-ra-do, an-e seu-we-teo ib-go geot-ot chaeng-gi-neun ge jo-eul geo-ye-yo. il-gyo-cha-ga keo-seo naj-e-neun gwaen-chan-eul su-do it-geo-deun-yo.
Meaning: Hmm… Maybe not a thick coat, but it would be good to wear a sweater underneath and bring outerwear. The daily temperature range is large, so it might be okay during the day. -
Expression: A: 알겠어요. 그럼 스웨터에 가을 재킷 정도면 괜찮겠네요?
Pronunciation: al-ge-sseo-yo. geu-reom seu-we-teo-e ga-eul jae-kit jeong-do-myeon gwaen-chan-ken-ne-yo?
Meaning: I understand. So a sweater and an autumn jacket should be fine? -
Expression: B: 네, 그 정도면 충분할 것 같아요! 추위 많이 타시면 얇은 목도리도 좋고요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu jeong-do-myeon chung-bun-hal geot gat-a-yo! chu-wi man-i ta-si-myeon yal-beun mok-do-ri-do jo-ko-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that should be enough! If you feel the cold easily, a thin scarf would be good too.
Practice Tips
Knowing how to ask about clothing for different seasons is super useful in Korea! Try checking the weather forecast (일기예보 – il-gi-ye-bo) in Korean each day and think about what you’d recommend someone wear using these phrases~ Practice asking friends or language partners, “오늘 뭐 입는 게 좋을까요?” (o-neul mwo ib-neun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?). Pay attention to how Koreans dress during different times of the year. You’ll get the hang of it quickly! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!)
