Korean word

빨간불

Pronunciation

Romanizationppalganbul

Meaning

  • nounred light

Example

횡단보도에서는 빨간불이에요 건너지 마세요.hoeng dan bo do e seo neun ppal gan bu ri e yo keon neo ji ma se yo

At the crosswalk, the light is red. Don't cross.

Illustration for 빨간불 (red light)

More examples

신호가 빨간불로 바뀌었다.sin ho ga ppal gan bul lo pa kkwi eot tta

The signal changed to red.

Core concept

The red signal visible on a traffic light when vehicles and pedestrians must wait.

Common phrases

  • 빨간불 앞에서 기다리다ppal gan bul a pe seo ki da ri da

    wait at a red light

  • 빨간불일 때ppal gan bu ril ttae

    when the light is red

Similar words

적색 신호cheokssaek sinho: A red traffic indication used to mark stopping or the need for caution.
신호sinho: A visible or audible cue that communicates information or directs an action.
파란불paranbul: A blue light on a traffic signal that permits traffic to continue.

Definition in Korean

도로의 신호등에서 정지할 것을 알려 주는 빨간색 표시 또는 그 신호.to ro ui sin ho deung e seo cheong ji hal kkeo seul al lyeo chu neun ppal gan saek pyo si tto neun keu sin ho

Word origin

빨간불 (ppalganbul, "red light") combines 빨간 (ppalgan, "red") and 불 (bul, "light"), directly naming the red signal that tells traffic to stop.

Usage tips

  • In a crosswalk setting, recognizing this word can make a short safety instruction clear even before every other Korean word is understood.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word