Korean word

명절

Pronunciation

Romanizationmyeongjeol

Meaning

  • nountraditional holiday

Example

한국의 명절은 가족 중심으로 지내요.han gu gui myeong jeo reun ka jok chung si meu ro chi nae yo

Korean traditional holidays are mainly spent with family.

Illustration for 명절 (traditional holiday)

More examples

명절 연휴에는 교통이 혼잡해요.myeong jeol yeon hyu e neun kyo tong i hon ja pae yo

There is heavy traffic during the traditional holiday break.

Core concept

A traditional festival that marks an important point in the year through family gatherings, local events, and ritual customs.

Common phrases

  • 명절 연휴myeong jeol yeon hyu

    traditional holiday break

  • 명절 음식myeong jeol eum sik

    traditional holiday food

  • 명절 선물myeong jeol seon mul

    traditional holiday gift

Similar words

설날seollal: A Korean lunar New Year holiday for family gatherings, ancestral rites, shared food, and warm wishes.
추석chuseok: A Korean autumn harvest holiday when families gather to honor ancestors and share seasonal food.
공휴일konghyuil: An officially designated day when the public, workplaces, or schools take a break.
연휴yeonhyu: A connected period of several days off, often created by holidays and weekends.

Definition in Korean

특정한 계절이나 사건을 기념하여 가족·지역 차원에서 의례와 행사를 치르는 연중 중요한 날.teuk jjeong han kye jeo ri na sa geo neul ki nyeom ha yeo ka jok chi yeok cha wo ne seo ui rye wa haeng sa reul chi reu neun yeon jung chung yo han nal

Word origin

The word 명절 (myeongjeol, "traditional holiday") comes from the Sino-Korean elements 명 (myeong, "name or distinction") and 절 (jeol, "season or festival"), suggesting a specially marked time.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can remember that this is about how people observe a holiday, not only whether schools or workplaces close for it.

Other meanings

  • festivalnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word