Explaining Korean National Holidays

Understanding and explaining national holidays is a great way to connect with Korean culture and share meaningful information. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases for discussing Korea’s significant national holidays, known as 국경일 (guk-gyeong-il), and other major public holidays. You’ll learn the names of key holidays and how to describe their importance and associated customs.

Core Expression

• Expression: 한국 국경일 (韓國 國慶日)
  Pronunciation: han-guk guk-gyeong-il
  Meaning: Korean national holiday (Specifically refers to the 5 state-designated national holidays commemorating significant events in Korean history)

Major Korean Holidays

This list includes the five official 국경일 (guk-gyeong-il) and other important public holidays widely celebrated in Korea.

• Expression: 삼일절 (三一節)
  Pronunciation: sam-il-jeol
  Meaning: Independence Movement Day (March 1st) – Commemorates the March 1st Movement in 1919 against Japanese colonial rule. (Official National Holiday)

• Expression: 제헌절 (制憲節)
  Pronunciation: je-heon-jeol
  Meaning: Constitution Day (July 17th) – Celebrates the proclamation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea in 1948. (Official National Holiday – but no longer a public day off)

• Expression: 광복절 (光復節)
  Pronunciation: gwang-bok-jeol
  Meaning: National Liberation Day (August 15th) – Celebrates liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945 and the establishment of the Republic of Korea government in 1948. (Official National Holiday)

• Expression: 개천절 (開天節)
  Pronunciation: gae-cheon-jeol
  Meaning: National Foundation Day (October 3rd) – Celebrates the legendary founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean state, in 2333 BC. (Official National Holiday)

• Expression: 한글날 (Hangeulnal)
  Pronunciation: han-geul-nal
  Meaning: Hangeul Day (October 9th) – Commemorates the invention and proclamation of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, by King Sejong the Great. (Official National Holiday)

• Expression: 설날 (Seollal)
  Pronunciation: seol-nal
  Meaning: Lunar New Year’s Day (1st day of the 1st lunar month) – One of the most important traditional holidays, typically a 3-day holiday.

• Expression: 추석 (Chuseok)
  Pronunciation: chu-seok
  Meaning: Korean Thanksgiving Day (15th day of the 8th lunar month) – A major harvest festival, also typically a 3-day holiday.

• Expression: 어린이날 (Eorininal)
  Pronunciation: eo-rin-i-nal
  Meaning: Children’s Day (May 5th) – A day to celebrate children.

• Expression: 석가탄신일 (釋迦誕辰日)
  Pronunciation: seok-ga-tan-sin-il
  Meaning: Buddha’s Birthday (8th day of the 4th lunar month) – Also called 부처님 오신 날 (bu-cheo-nim o-sin nal).

• Expression: 현충일 (顯忠日)
  Pronunciation: hyeon-chung-il
  Meaning: Memorial Day (June 6th) – Commemorates those who died in military service or the independence movement.

• Expression: 성탄절 (聖誕節) / 크리스마스
  Pronunciation: seong-tan-jeol / keu-ri-seu-ma-seu
  Meaning: Christmas Day (December 25th)

Phrases for Explaining Holidays

Use these phrases to describe the meaning and activities associated with different holidays.

• Expression: 이 날은 [역사적 사건]을 기념하는 날입니다.
  Pronunciation: i nal-eun [yeok-sa-jeok sa-geon]-eul gi-nyeom-ha-neun nal-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: This day commemorates [historical event].

• Expression: [휴일 이름]은/는 한국의 중요한 명절 중 하나입니다.
  Pronunciation: [hyu-il i-reum]-eun/neun han-guk-ui jung-yo-han myeong-jeol jung ha-na-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: [Holiday Name] is one of Korea’s important traditional holidays.

• Expression: 많은 사람들이 고향에 갑니다.
  Pronunciation: man-eun sa-ram-deul-i go-hyang-e gam-ni-da.
  Meaning: Many people go to their hometowns.

• Expression: 가족들과 함께 시간을 보냅니다.
  Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-gwa ham-kke si-gan-eul bo-naem-ni-da.
  Meaning: People spend time with their families.

• Expression: 특별한 음식을 먹습니다. 예를 들어, 설날에는 떡국을 먹습니다.
  Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han eum-sik-eul meok-seum-ni-da. ye-reul deul-eo, seol-nal-e-neun tteok-guk-eul meok-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: People eat special food. For example, on Seollal, people eat Tteokguk (rice cake soup).

• Expression: 추석에는 송편을 만듭니다.
  Pronunciation: chu-seok-e-neun song-pyeon-eul man-deum-ni-da.
  Meaning: On Chuseok, people make Songpyeon (half-moon shaped rice cakes).

• Expression: 조상들에게 차례를 지냅니다.
  Pronunciation: jo-sang-deul-e-ge cha-rye-reul ji-naem-ni-da.
  Meaning: People perform ancestral rites (Charye).

• Expression: [휴일 이름]은/는 공휴일입니다.
  Pronunciation: [hyu-il i-reum]-eun/neun gong-hyu-il-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: [Holiday Name] is a public holiday.

• Expression: 이 날은 한국의 독립을 기념합니다.
  Pronunciation: i nal-eun han-guk-ui dok-rip-eul gi-nyeom-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: This day commemorates Korea’s independence.

• Expression: 한글 창제를 기념하는 날입니다.
  Pronunciation: han-geul chang-je-reul gi-nyeom-ha-neun nal-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: It’s a day commemorating the creation of Hangeul.

• Expression: 전국적으로 기념 행사가 열립니다.
  Pronunciation: jeon-guk-jeok-eu-ro gi-nyeom haeng-sa-ga yeol-lim-ni-da.
  Meaning: Commemorative events are held nationwide.

• Expression: 태극기를 게양합니다.
  Pronunciation: tae-geuk-gi-reul ge-yang-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: People hoist the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag).

Asking About Holidays

Here are some questions you might ask or be asked about Korean holidays.

• Expression: 한국의 주요 국경일은 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: han-guk-ui ju-yo guk-gyeong-il-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What are Korea’s main national holidays?

• Expression: [휴일 이름]은/는 언제인가요?
  Pronunciation: [hyu-il i-reum]-eun/neun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When is [Holiday Name]?

• Expression: [휴일 이름]에 보통 무엇을 하나요?
  Pronunciation: [hyu-il i-reum]-e bo-tong mu-eot-eul ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: What do people usually do on [Holiday Name]?

• Expression: 그 날은 공휴일인가요?
  Pronunciation: geu nal-eun gong-hyu-il-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is that day a public holiday?

• Expression: [휴일 이름]의 의미는 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: [hyu-il i-reum]-ui ui-mi-neun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is the meaning of [Holiday Name]?

• Expression: 설날과 추석의 차이점은 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: seol-nal-gwa chu-seok-ui cha-i-jeom-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is the difference between Seollal and Chuseok?

• Expression: 이 휴일은 며칠 동안 쉬나요?
  Pronunciation: i hyu-il-eun myeo-chil dong-an swi-na-yo?
  Meaning: How many days off are there for this holiday?

• Expression: 어떤 특별한 행사가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon teuk-byeol-han haeng-sa-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any special events?

• Expression: 고향에 내려가시나요?
  Pronunciation: go-hyang-e nae-ryeo-ga-si-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are you going down to your hometown?

• Expression: 명절 잘 보내셨어요?
  Pronunciation: myeong-jeol jal bo-nae-syeot-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Did you have a good holiday?

• Expression: [휴일 이름]에 대한 재미있는 이야기가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: [hyu-il i-reum]-e dae-han jae-mi-it-neun i-ya-gi-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any interesting stories about [Holiday Name]?

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding holidays goes beyond just dates and names. Here are some cultural points:

• National Holidays (국경일) vs. Public Holidays (공휴일): While all 5 국경일 (Gukgyeongil) are legally designated national holidays commemorating state events, not all are public days off (e.g., 제헌절, Constitution Day). 공휴일 (Gonghyuil) refers to any official public day off, including national holidays, traditional holidays like Seollal and Chuseok, election days, and some religious holidays.
• Importance of Seollal and Chuseok: These two lunar calendar-based holidays are the most significant for families. They involve mass travel to hometowns (귀성길 – gwi-seong-gil), ancestral rites (차례 – cha-rye), traditional games, and specific foods (떡국 – tteok-guk for Seollal, 송편 – song-pyeon for Chuseok).
• Flag Hoisting: On the 5 official National Holidays (삼일절, 제헌절, 광복절, 개천절, 한글날), hoisting the national flag (태극기 – Taegeukgi) is encouraged. On Memorial Day (현충일), the flag is flown at half-mast.
• Lunar vs. Solar Calendar: Many traditional holidays (Seollal, Chuseok, Buddha’s Birthday) follow the lunar calendar, so their dates on the solar (Gregorian) calendar change each year. Modern holidays (Children’s Day, Hangeul Day, Christmas) have fixed solar calendar dates.
• Gift Giving: During Seollal and Chuseok, it’s customary to give gifts to family, friends, and colleagues. Popular gifts include gift sets of food (fruit, Spam, cooking oil), health products, or department store vouchers.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Alex, a foreigner living in Korea, asks his Korean colleague, Minjun, about the upcoming Chuseok holiday.
Roles: A: Alex, B: Minjun

• Expression: A: 민준 씨, 다음 주 추석 연휴에 뭐 하세요?
  Pronunciation: min-jun ssi, da-eum ju chu-seok yeon-hyu-e mwo ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: Minjun, what are you doing during the Chuseok holiday next week?

• Expression: B: 아, 저는 고향에 내려가서 가족들하고 시간을 보낼 거예요. 알렉스 씨는요?
  Pronunciation: a, jeo-neun go-hyang-e nae-ryeo-ga-seo ga-jok-deul-ha-go si-gan-eul bo-nael geo-ye-yo. al-lek-seu ssi-neun-yo?
  Meaning: Ah, I’m going down to my hometown to spend time with my family. What about you, Alex?

• Expression: A: 저는 아직 특별한 계획은 없어요. 추석이 정확히 어떤 날인가요? 한국의 추수감사절이라고 들었어요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun a-jik teuk-byeol-han gye-hoek-eun eop-seo-yo. chu-seok-i jeong-hwak-hi eo-tteon nal-in-ga-yo? han-guk-ui chu-su-gam-sa-jeol-i-ra-go deul-eot-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I don’t have any special plans yet. What exactly is Chuseok? I heard it’s like Korean Thanksgiving.

• Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 음력 8월 15일인데, 한 해 농사에 대해 조상들에게 감사하고 수확을 축하하는 날이에요. 그래서 가족들이 모여서 차례를 지내고 송편 같은 맛있는 음식을 먹어요.
  Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. eum-nyeok pal-wol sip-o-il-in-de, han hae nong-sa-e dae-hae jo-sang-deul-e-ge gam-sa-ha-go su-hwak-eul chuk-ha-ha-neun nal-i-e-yo. geu-rae-seo ga-jok-deul-i mo-yeo-seo cha-rye-reul ji-nae-go song-pyeon gat-eun mat-it-neun eum-sik-eul meok-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Yes, that’s right. It’s the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, a day to thank ancestors for the year’s harvest and celebrate it. So families gather, perform ancestral rites (Charye), and eat delicious food like Songpyeon.

• Expression: A: 아하, 그렇군요. 차례가 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: a-ha, geu-reot-gun-yo. cha-rye-ga mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: Aha, I see. What is Charye?

• Expression: B: 조상님들께 음식을 차려놓고 절을 하면서 감사를 표하는 의식이에요. 설날과 추석에 주로 해요.
  Pronunciation: jo-sang-nim-deul-kke eum-sik-eul cha-ryeo-no-ko jeol-eul ha-myeon-seo gam-sa-reul pyo-ha-neun ui-sik-i-e-yo. seol-nal-gwa chu-seok-e ju-ro hae-yo.
  Meaning: It’s a ritual where we set out food for our ancestors and bow to express gratitude. We mainly do it on Seollal and Chuseok.

• Expression: A: 흥미롭네요! 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: heung-mi-rop-ne-yo! seol-myeong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: That’s interesting! Thank you for explaining.

• Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 알렉스 씨도 즐거운 추석 보내세요!
  Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. al-lek-seu ssi-do jeul-geo-un chu-seok bo-nae-se-yo!
  Meaning: You’re welcome. Alex, you have a happy Chuseok too!

Practice Tips

Knowing the holidays is one thing, but talking about them is another! Try these tips~

• Mark your calendar: Note the major Korean holidays on your calendar (remembering lunar dates shift!).
• Ask Korean friends: Ask your Korean friends or colleagues about their plans for upcoming holidays like 설날 or 추석. Use phrases like “[휴일 이름]에 뭐 하세요?” (mwo ha-se-yo?).
• Explain a holiday: Practice explaining one or two holidays you find interesting using the phrases provided. Start simple, like explaining what 한글날 commemorates.
• Listen and learn: Pay attention to news reports or conversations around holiday times in Korea. You’ll hear these terms used frequently!

Practicing these expressions will help you engage more deeply in conversations about Korean culture and daily life! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)