Moving to a new home is a significant event, and knowing the right Korean vocabulary can make the process much smoother. This guide covers essential Korean expressions related to 이사 (i-sa), the term for moving house, helping you navigate everything from planning your move to settling into your new neighborhood in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이사
Pronunciation: i-sa
Meaning: Moving (house/residence)
Basic Moving Phrases
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Expression: 이사 가다
Pronunciation: i-sa ga-da
Meaning: To move (out), To move away -
Expression: 이사 오다
Pronunciation: i-sa o-da
Meaning: To move (in), To move here -
Expression: 이사하다
Pronunciation: i-sa-ha-da
Meaning: To move (verb form) -
Expression: 이사 준비하다
Pronunciation: i-sa jun-bi-ha-da
Meaning: To prepare for moving -
Expression: 이사짐 싸다
Pronunciation: i-sa-jim ssa-da
Meaning: To pack for moving (lit. pack moving luggage) -
Expression: 이사짐 풀다
Pronunciation: i-sa-jim pul-da
Meaning: To unpack after moving (lit. unpack moving luggage) -
Expression: 이사 날짜 잡다
Pronunciation: i-sa nal-jja jap-da
Meaning: To set a moving date -
Expression: 새 집으로 이사하다
Pronunciation: sae jip-eu-ro i-sa-ha-da
Meaning: To move to a new house -
Expression: 이삿짐센터
Pronunciation: i-sat-jim-sen-teo
Meaning: Moving company (lit. moving luggage center) -
Expression: 포장 이사
Pronunciation: po-jang i-sa
Meaning: Full-service moving (includes packing and unpacking) -
Expression: 반포장 이사
Pronunciation: ban-po-jang i-sa
Meaning: Half-service moving (usually includes packing large items/kitchenware) -
Expression: 일반 이사
Pronunciation: il-ban i-sa
Meaning: Standard moving (customer packs everything, company transports)
Talking About Moving
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Expression: 언제 이사 가세요?
Pronunciation: eon-je i-sa ga-se-yo?
Meaning: When are you moving? -
Expression: 다음 달에 이사 가요.
Pronunciation: da-eum dal-e i-sa ga-yo.
Meaning: I’m moving next month. -
Expression: 어디로 이사 가세요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ro i-sa ga-se-yo?
Meaning: Where are you moving to? -
Expression: 강남으로 이사 가요.
Pronunciation: gang-nam-eu-ro i-sa ga-yo.
Meaning: I’m moving to Gangnam. -
Expression: 이사 잘 하셨어요?
Pronunciation: i-sa jal ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did your move go well? -
Expression: 이사 때문에 정신이 없어요.
Pronunciation: i-sa ttae-mun-e jeong-sin-i eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m so busy because of the move. (lit. I don’t have my mind because of the move) -
Expression: 새 집은 마음에 들어요?
Pronunciation: sae jip-eun ma-eum-e deul-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you like your new house? (lit. Does the new house enter your heart?) -
Expression: 이사 축하해요!
Pronunciation: i-sa chuk-ha-hae-yo!
Meaning: Congratulations on your move! -
Expression: 집들이는 언제 하세요?
Pronunciation: jip-deul-i-neun eon-je ha-se-yo?
Meaning: When are you having your housewarming party? -
Expression: 이사 비용이 얼마나 들었어요?
Pronunciation: i-sa bi-yong-i eol-ma-na deul-eot-seo-yo?
Meaning: How much did the move cost? -
Expression: 이삿짐센터 예약했어요?
Pronunciation: i-sat-jim-sen-teo ye-yak-haet-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you book a moving company? -
Expression: 이사 준비는 다 했어요?
Pronunciation: i-sa jun-bi-neun da haet-seo-yo?
Meaning: Have you finished preparing for the move?
Dealing with Moving Services
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Expression: 이사 견적 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i-sa gyeon-jeok jom bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I possibly get a moving estimate? -
Expression: 포장 이사로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: po-jang i-sa-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like the full-service moving option. -
Expression: 짐이 얼마나 되세요?
Pronunciation: jim-i eol-ma-na doe-se-yo?
Meaning: How much stuff do you have? (Polite, often asked by the company) -
Expression: 큰 가구는 뭐가 있나요?
Pronunciation: keun ga-gu-neun mwo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: What large furniture items are there? -
Expression: 파손 주의 물품이 좀 있어요.
Pronunciation: pa-son ju-ui mul-pum-i jom it-seo-yo.
Meaning: There are some fragile items. (lit. Items needing caution for breakage) -
Expression: 엘리베이터 사용 가능해요?
Pronunciation: el-li-be-i-teo sa-yong ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is the elevator available for use? -
Expression: 사다리차 필요할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: sa-da-ri-cha pil-yo-hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think a ladder truck will be needed. -
Expression: 몇 시쯤 도착 예정이신가요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-jjeum do-chak ye-jeong-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Around what time do you plan to arrive? (Polite) -
Expression: 계약서 확인 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Please let me check the contract. (Formal) -
Expression: 추가 비용은 없죠?
Pronunciation: chu-ga bi-yong-eun eop-jyo?
Meaning: There are no additional costs, right? -
Expression: 조심히 다뤄 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hi da-rwo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please handle it carefully. -
Expression: 여기에 놓아주세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e no-a-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put it here.
Korean Culture Notes
이사떡 (i-sa tteok): It’s a custom in Korea to share 시루떡 (si-ru-tteok – steamed red bean rice cake) with new neighbors after moving in. This gesture serves as an introduction and a way to wish for good fortune and smooth relationships in the new neighborhood.
집들이 (jip-deul-i): This is the Korean housewarming party. Guests typically bring practical gifts like laundry detergent or toilet paper. These items symbolize prosperity (lots of bubbles) and things unraveling smoothly in the new home.
손 없는 날 (son eop-neun nal): Literally “day without guest (evil spirit)”. Many Koreans prefer to move on these specific dates according to the lunar calendar, believing it brings good luck and avoids misfortune. Moving companies are often busier and more expensive on these days.
부동산 (budongsan): Real estate agencies (부동산 중개소 – bu-dong-san jung-gae-so) are essential for finding apartments or houses to rent or buy in Korea. They handle viewings, contracts, and negotiations.
Rental Systems: Korea has unique rental systems like 전세 (jeon-se), a large lump-sum deposit returned at the end of the contract, and 월세 (wol-se), a smaller deposit with monthly rent, which is more similar to Western systems.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minji (A) and Sora (B), are talking about Minji’s upcoming move.
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Expression: A: 소라야, 나 다음 주에 이사 가.
Pronunciation: so-ra-ya, na da-eum ju-e i-sa ga.
Meaning: A: Sora, I’m moving next week. -
Expression: B: 정말? 어디로 이사 가는데?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal? eo-di-ro i-sa ga-neun-de?
Meaning: B: Really? Where are you moving to? -
Expression: A: 회사 근처 아파트로 옮겨. 이사 준비 때문에 너무 바빠.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa geun-cheo a-pa-teu-ro om-gyeo. i-sa jun-bi ttae-mun-e neo-mu ba-ppa.
Meaning: A: I’m moving to an apartment near my company. I’m so busy preparing for the move. -
Expression: B: 힘들겠다. 이삿짐센터는 예약했어? 포장 이사로 하는 거야?
Pronunciation: him-deul-get-da. i-sat-jim-sen-teo-neun ye-yak-haet-seo? po-jang i-sa-ro ha-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: B: That must be tough. Did you book a moving company? Are you doing the full-service move? -
Expression: A: 응, 예약했고 포장 이사로 하기로 했어. 짐 싸는 거 너무 귀찮아서.
Pronunciation: eung, ye-yak-haet-go po-jang i-sa-ro ha-gi-ro haet-seo. jim ssa-neun geo neo-mu gwi-chan-a-seo.
Meaning: A: Yes, I booked it and decided on the full-service move. Packing is too much hassle. -
Expression: B: 잘 생각했네. 이사 잘 하고, 새 집에서 좋은 일만 가득하길 바랄게! 집들이 꼭 초대해줘!
Pronunciation: jal saeng-gak-haet-ne. i-sa jal ha-go, sae jip-e-seo jo-eun il-man ga-deuk-ha-gil ba-ral-ge! jip-deul-i kkok cho-dae-hae-jwo!
Meaning: B: Good thinking. Hope the move goes well, and I wish you all the best in your new home! Make sure to invite me to the housewarming party! -
Expression: A: 고마워! 정리되면 바로 연락할게!
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo! jeong-ri-doe-myeon ba-ro yeol-lak-hal-ge!
Meaning: A: Thanks! I’ll contact you as soon as I’m settled!
Practice Tips
Moving involves many steps, so practice these phrases often! Try role-playing conversations about planning a move or calling a moving company~ You can also listen to how Koreans discuss moving in dramas or vlogs. Don’t be afraid to use these expressions if you find yourself moving in Korea or helping a friend move. The more you practice, the more natural it will become! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
