Korean word

설

Pronunciation

Romanizationseol

Meaning

  • nounLunar New Year

Example

설에 가족과 모여요.seo re ka jok kkwa mo yeo yo

We get together with family for Lunar New Year.

Illustration for 설 (Lunar New Year)

More examples

설 연휴에는 여행을 가요.seol yeon hyu e neun yeo haeng eul ka yo

We travel during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Core concept

The first day of the lunar year with the family gatherings and holiday customs that surround it.

Common phrases

  • 설날seol lal

    Lunar New Year's Day

  • 설 연휴seol yeon hyu

    Lunar New Year holiday

  • 설 인사seol in sa

    Lunar New Year greetings

Similar words

설날seollal: The lunar year's opening day, when families gather, share food, and offer good wishes.
구정kujeong: A traditional alternate name for the lunar New Year holiday.
음력eumnyeok: A calendar based on the moon's phases rather than the sun's yearly cycle.

Definition in Korean

설날을 줄여 이르는 말로, 음력 새해 첫날과 그 날을 중심으로 하는 명절 기간seol la reul chu ryeo i reu neun mal lo eum nyeok sae hae cheon nal gwa keu na reul chung si meu ro ha neun myeong jeol ki gan

Word origin

The noun 설 (seol, "Lunar New Year") is a shortened form of the full Korean name for the holiday, but it still covers the surrounding holiday period.

Usage tips

  • The date of the Lunar New Year changes each year because it follows the lunar calendar, so calendars are useful when arranging travel or family plans.

Opposites

Related words

  • 설날seollalLunar New Year's Daynoun
  • 설맞이seolmajiLunar New Year celebrationnoun
  • 설빔seolbimLunar New Year outfitnoun

Word lists with this word