Korean word

서양

Pronunciation

Romanizationseoyang

Meaning

  • nounthe West

Example

나는 서양 음식을 좋아해.na neun seo yang eum si geul cho a hae

I like Western food.

Illustration for 서양 (the West)

More examples

그는 서양 문화에 관심이 많다.keu neun seo yang mun hwa e kwan si mi man ta

He is very interested in Western culture.

Core concept

A broad western cultural sphere commonly associated with Europe and North America.

Common phrases

  • 서양 음식seo yang eum sik

    Western food

  • 서양 문화seo yang mun hwa

    Western culture

  • 서양 음악seo yang eu mak

    Western music

Similar words

서구seogu: The European-centered West, including its countries, ideas, and social systems.
유럽yureop: A geographic region made up of the European continent and its nations.
북미pungmi: The North American area, whose exact group of countries depends on context.
서양식seoyangsik: A Western-style form used in such things as cooking, dress, and architecture.

Definition in Korean

서양은 주로 유럽과 북미를 포함하는 서쪽 지역과 그 지역의 문화·풍습을 가리키는 명사seo yang eun chu ro yu reop kkwa pung mi reul po ham ha neun seo jjok chi yeok kkwa keu chi yeo gui mun hwa pung seu beul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

The Sino-Korean term combines the characters for west and ocean, reflecting an older view of lands across the western sea.

Usage tips

  • Korean uses this word for cultural styles as well as regions, including Western food, clothing, and buildings.

Opposites

Related words

  • 서양인seoyanginWesternernoun
  • 서양식seoyangsikWestern stylenoun
  • 서양화seoyanghwaWesternizationnoun

Word lists with this word