Korean word

옥상

Pronunciation

Romanizationokssang

Meaning

  • nounrooftop

Example

집 옥상에 빨래를 널었어요.chip ok ssang e ppal lae reul neo reo sseo yo

I hung the laundry out to dry on the rooftop.

Illustration for 옥상 (rooftop)

More examples

밤에 옥상에 올라가면 별이 잘 보여요.pa me ok ssang e ol la ga myeon pyeo ri chal po yeo yo

When you go up to the rooftop at night, you can see the stars clearly.

Core concept

A flat, usable space at the very top of a building.

Common phrases

  • 옥상에 올라가다ok ssang e ol la ga da

    go up to the rooftop

  • 옥상에서 쉬다ok ssang e seo swi da

    rest on the rooftop

  • 옥상에 빨래를 널다ok ssang e ppal lae reul neol da

    hang laundry out to dry on the rooftop

Similar words

지붕chibung: The outer covering on top of a building that keeps out rain and snow.
발코니palkoni: A small outdoor platform attached to a building and surrounded by a railing.

Definition in Korean

건물 맨 위에 있어 사람이 올라가 이용할 수 있는 평평한 장소keon mul maen wi e i sseo sa ra mi ol la ga i yong hal ssu in neun pyeong pyeong han chang so

Word origin

옥상 (okssang, "rooftop") is a Sino-Korean compound of 옥 (ok, "building") and 상 (ssang, "above"), pointing to the upper part of a building.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can connect this word with practical places such as rooftop gardens, viewpoints, and shared building spaces rather than thinking only of a roof that covers a building.

Opposites

  • 지하chihabasementnoun
  • 지하층chihacheungbasement levelnoun

Related words

  • 옥상정원okssangjeongwonrooftop gardennoun
  • 옥상주차장okssangjuchajangrooftop parking lotnoun

Word lists with this word