Understanding the geography around Korea includes knowing the names of the major bodies of water. This guide introduces the Korean names for the seas surrounding the peninsula and related vocabulary, helping you discuss locations and travel more effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Word
-
Expression: 바다
Pronunciation: ba-da
Meaning: Sea, Ocean
Main Seas Around Korea
-
Expression: 동해
Pronunciation: dong-hae
Meaning: East Sea (Sea of Japan) -
Expression: 서해
Pronunciation: seo-hae
Meaning: West Sea (Yellow Sea) -
Expression: 남해
Pronunciation: nam-hae
Meaning: South Sea -
Expression: 대한해협
Pronunciation: dae-han-hae-hyeop
Meaning: Korea Strait -
Expression: 제주해협
Pronunciation: je-ju-hae-hyeop
Meaning: Jeju Strait -
Expression: 태평양
Pronunciation: tae-pyeong-yang
Meaning: Pacific Ocean -
Expression: 인도양
Pronunciation: in-do-yang
Meaning: Indian Ocean -
Expression: 대서양
Pronunciation: dae-seo-yang
Meaning: Atlantic Ocean -
Expression: 북극해
Pronunciation: buk-geuk-hae
Meaning: Arctic Ocean -
Expression: 남극해
Pronunciation: nam-geuk-hae
Meaning: Antarctic Ocean (Southern Ocean)
Related Vocabulary
-
Expression: 섬
Pronunciation: seom
Meaning: Island -
Expression: 해변
Pronunciation: hae-byeon
Meaning: Beach (general term) -
Expression: 바닷가
Pronunciation: ba-dat-ga
Meaning: Seaside, Beach (often used colloquially) -
Expression: 해안
Pronunciation: hae-an
Meaning: Coast, Coastline -
Expression: 파도
Pronunciation: pa-do
Meaning: Wave -
Expression: 항구
Pronunciation: hang-gu
Meaning: Port, Harbor -
Expression: 배
Pronunciation: bae
Meaning: Ship, Boat -
Expression: 해산물
Pronunciation: hae-san-mul
Meaning: Seafood -
Expression: 어부
Pronunciation: eo-bu
Meaning: Fisherman -
Expression: 등대
Pronunciation: deung-dae
Meaning: Lighthouse -
Expression: 수평선
Pronunciation: su-pyeong-seon
Meaning: Horizon (over the sea) -
Expression: 해류
Pronunciation: hae-ryu
Meaning: Ocean current
Useful Phrases
-
Expression: 동해 바다는 정말 아름다워요.
Pronunciation: dong-hae ba-da-neun jeong-mal a-reum-da-wo-yo.
Meaning: The East Sea is really beautiful. -
Expression: 여름에는 서해로 여행 가요.
Pronunciation: yeo-reum-e-neun seo-hae-ro yeo-haeng ga-yo.
Meaning: In the summer, we travel to the West Sea. -
Expression: 남해에는 섬이 많아요.
Pronunciation: nam-hae-e-neun seom-i man-a-yo.
Meaning: There are many islands in the South Sea. -
Expression: 이 바다 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i ba-da i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this sea? -
Expression: 바닷가에서 산책하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ba-dat-ga-e-seo san-chaek-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to take a walk on the beach. -
Expression: 파도 소리가 좋아요.
Pronunciation: pa-do so-ri-ga jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I like the sound of the waves. -
Expression: 부산은 남해안에 있는 항구 도시예요.
Pronunciation: bu-san-eun nam-hae-an-e it-neun hang-gu do-si-ye-yo.
Meaning: Busan is a port city on the south coast. -
Expression: 제주도는 남해에 있어요.
Pronunciation: je-ju-do-neun nam-hae-e is-seo-yo.
Meaning: Jeju Island is in the South Sea. -
Expression: 서해에서는 갯벌 체험을 할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: seo-hae-e-seo-neun gaet-beol che-heom-eul hal su is-seo-yo.
Meaning: You can experience the mudflats at the West Sea. -
Expression: 동해 일출은 유명해요.
Pronunciation: dong-hae il-chul-eun yu-myeong-hae-yo.
Meaning: The sunrise over the East Sea is famous. -
Expression: 배를 타고 섬에 갔어요.
Pronunciation: bae-reul ta-go seom-e gas-seo-yo.
Meaning: I went to the island by boat. -
Expression: 신선한 해산물을 먹고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sin-seon-han hae-san-mul-eul meok-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to eat fresh seafood.
Korean Culture Notes
The seas surrounding Korea play a significant role in its culture and history. The 동해 (East Sea) is particularly important, known for its beautiful sunrises and as a point of national pride, often referred to internationally as the Sea of Japan, a name disputed by Korea.
The 서해 (West Sea), or Yellow Sea, is famous for its extensive tidal flats (갯벌 – gaet-beol), which are rich ecosystems and popular spots for clam digging and ecological tourism.
The 남해 (South Sea) is dotted with numerous islands, including the largest, Jeju Island (제주도 – je-ju-do), and is known for its warmer waters and scenic archipelagos like Dadohaehaesang National Park (다도해해상국립공원 – da-do-hae-hae-sang-gung-nip-gong-won).
Seafood (해산물 – hae-san-mul) is a staple of Korean cuisine, with each coastal region boasting its own specialties depending on the sea it borders. Coastal cities like Busan (부산), Incheon (인천), and Mokpo (목포) are major hubs for fishing and maritime trade.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends are planning a summer trip to the coast.
Characters:
- A: Minjun
- B: Sora
-
Expression: A: 소라 씨, 이번 여름 휴가 때 어디 가고 싶어요?
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, i-beon yeo-reum hyu-ga ttae eo-di ga-go sip-eo-yo?
Meaning: Sora, where do you want to go for summer vacation this time? -
Expression: B: 음… 바다에 가고 싶어요! 동해나 남해 쪽으로요.
Pronunciation: eum… ba-da-e ga-go sip-eo-yo! dong-hae-na nam-hae jjok-eu-ro-yo.
Meaning: Hmm… I want to go to the sea! Maybe towards the East Sea or the South Sea. -
Expression: A: 좋아요! 동해는 물이 맑고 해변이 예쁘잖아요. 남해는 섬들이 많고요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! dong-hae-neun mul-i mak-go hae-byeon-i ye-ppeu-jan-a-yo. nam-hae-neun seom-deul-i man-go-yo.
Meaning: Sounds good! The East Sea has clear water and pretty beaches. The South Sea has many islands. -
Expression: B: 맞아요. 동해에 가서 일출도 보고 싶고, 남해에 가서 배 타고 섬 구경도 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. dong-hae-e ga-seo il-chul-do bo-go sip-go, nam-hae-e ga-seo bae ta-go seom gu-gyeong-do ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. I want to go to the East Sea and see the sunrise, and I also want to go to the South Sea, take a boat, and see the islands. -
Expression: A: 둘 다 매력적이네요. 어디로 갈지 결정하기 어렵겠어요!
Pronunciation: dul da mae-ryeok-jeo-gi-ne-yo. eo-di-ro gal-ji gyeol-jeong-ha-gi eo-ryeop-get-seo-yo!
Meaning: Both sound attractive. It will be hard to decide where to go! -
Expression: B: 그러게요. 혹시 서해는 어때요? 갯벌 체험도 재미있을 것 같은데.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ge-yo. hok-si seo-hae-neun eo-ttae-yo? gaet-beol che-heom-do jae-mi-is-seul geot gat-eun-de.
Meaning: I know. What about the West Sea? The mudflat experience seems like it would be fun too. -
Expression: A: 서해도 좋죠! 맛있는 해산물도 많고요. 우리 좀 더 찾아보고 정해요!
Pronunciation: seo-hae-do jo-cho! mas-it-neun hae-san-mul-do man-go-yo. u-ri jom deo cha-ja-bo-go jeong-hae-yo!
Meaning: The West Sea is good too! There’s lots of delicious seafood. Let’s research a bit more and decide!
Practice Tips
Try using these sea names when looking at a map of Korea or discussing travel plans! You can practice by describing the location of coastal cities using 동해안 (dong-hae-an – East Coast), 서해안 (seo-hae-an – West Coast), or 남해안 (nam-hae-an – South Coast). Watching weather reports or travel shows about Korea can also help you hear these names used in context. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be navigating Korea’s beautiful coastlines like a pro~!
