Korean Words for Clothing: Essential Vocabulary Guide

Whether you're shopping in Seoul or simply describing your outfit, knowing Korean words for clothing is essential for everyday conversations. This comprehensive guide covers the most important vocabulary you'll need to talk about fashion and attire in Korean.

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Practice Korean Clothing Vocabulary with 지민

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Essential Clothing Vocabulary

Let's start with the core Korean words for clothing that every learner should know. These terms cover basic garments you'll encounter daily.

Word & Pronunciation	English	Example
옷ot	clothes/clothing	새 옷을 샀어요. (sae oseul sasseoyo) - I bought new clothes.
셔츠syeocheu	shirt	흰색 셔츠가 필요해요. (huinsaek syeocheuga piryohaeyo) - I need a white shirt.
바지baji	pants/trousers	이 바지 어때요? (i baji eottaeyo?) - How are these pants?
치마chima	skirt	치마가 너무 짧아요. (chimaga neomu jjalbayo) - The skirt is too short.
원피스wonpiseu	dress (one-piece)	빨간 원피스를 입었어요. (ppalgan wonpiseureul ibeosseoyo) - I wore a red dress.
재킷jaeket	jacket	재킷을 벗어도 돼요? (jaekeseul beoseodo dwaeyo?) - May I take off my jacket?
코트koteu	coat	겨울에는 코트가 필수예요. (gyeoure-neun koteuga pilsuyeyo) - A coat is essential in winter.
양말yangmal	socks	양말이 한 짝 없어요. (yangmari han jjak eopseoyo) - One sock is missing.
신발sinbal	shoes	신발 사이즈가 뭐예요? (sinbal saizeuga mwoyeyo?) - What's your shoe size?
모자moja	hat/cap	햇빛이 강해서 모자를 썼어요. (haetbichi ganghaeseo mojareul sseosseoyo) - I wore a hat because the sun was strong.
청바지cheongbaji	jeans	편한 청바지를 입고 싶어요. (pyeonhan cheongbajireul ipgo sipeoyo) - I want to wear comfortable jeans.
티셔츠tisyeocheu	T-shirt	티셔츠가 너무 커요. (tisyeocheuga neomu keoyo) - The T-shirt is too big.
속옷sogot	underwear	속옷은 면으로 된 게 좋아요. (sogogeun myeoneuro doen ge joayo) - Cotton underwear is good.
장갑janggap	gloves	손이 시려서 장갑을 꼈어요. (soni siryeoseo janggabeul kkyeosseoyo) - My hands were cold so I put on gloves.
목도리mokdori	scarf/muffler	목도리를 선물로 받았어요. (mokdorireul seonmullo badasseoyo) - I received a scarf as a gift.
운동화undonghwa	sneakers/athletic shoes	운동할 때 운동화를 신어요. (undonghal ttae undonghwareul sineoyo) - I wear sneakers when exercising.

Common Phrases for Clothing

Beyond individual vocabulary, these useful expressions will help you discuss clothing in various situations, from shopping to giving compliments.

• 옷을 입다 (oseul ipda) - to wear/put on clothes
  오늘 뭘 입을까요? (oneul mwol ibeulkkayo?) - What should I wear today?
• 옷을 벗다 (oseul beotda) - to take off clothes
  더워서 재킷을 벗었어요. (deowoseo jaekeseul beoseosseoyo) - I took off my jacket because it was hot.
• 옷을 갈아입다 (oseul garaipda) - to change clothes
  잠깐 옷 좀 갈아입을게요. (jamkkan ot jom garaipeulgeyo) - I'll change my clothes for a moment.
• 이거 입어 봐도 돼요? (igeo ibeo bwado dwaeyo?) - May I try this on?
• 더 큰/작은 사이즈 있어요? (deo keun/jageun saijeu isseoyo?) - Do you have a bigger/smaller size?
• 다른 색깔 있어요? (dareun saekkal isseoyo?) - Do you have a different color?
• 이 옷이 잘 어울려요. (i osi jal eoullyeoyo) - These clothes suit you well.
• 탈의실이 어디예요? (taruisiri eodiyeyo?) - Where is the fitting room?

Usage Notes

Understanding the cultural and grammatical context will help you use Korean words for clothing more naturally.

• Different verbs for different items: Korean uses specific verbs depending on the clothing item. Use 입다 (ipda) for clothes worn on the body, 신다 (sinda) for footwear, 쓰다 (sseuda) for hats and glasses, 끼다 (kkida) for gloves and rings, and 하다 (hada) or 매다 (maeda) for ties and accessories.
• Loanwords are common: Many Korean clothing terms come from English (셔츠, 재킷, 티셔츠) due to Western fashion influence. These are pronounced with Korean phonetics.
• Traditional vs. modern: 한복 (hanbok) refers to traditional Korean clothing, while everyday modern clothes are simply called 옷.
• Formality matters: When shopping, use polite endings (-요) with salespeople. Saying 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) - "Please give me this" - is the standard polite way to indicate you want to purchase something.
• Size expressions: Korean uses 사이즈 (saijeu) from English, with 스몰/미디엄/라지 (seumol/midieom/raji) for S/M/L or number sizes.

Practice Sentences

Use these example sentences to practice using clothing vocabulary in context. Try reading them aloud to improve your pronunciation.

• 오늘 날씨가 추우니까 따뜻한 옷을 입으세요.
  Oneul nalssiga chuunikka ttatteutan oseul ipeuseyo.
  It's cold today, so please wear warm clothes.
• 새로 산 신발이 발에 잘 맞아요.
  Saero san sinbari bare jal majayo.
  The new shoes I bought fit my feet well.
• 그 치마는 색깔이 정말 예뻐요.
  Geu chimaneun saekkkari jeongmal yeppeoyo.
  That skirt has a really pretty color.
• 운동할 때는 편한 바지를 입어요.
  Undonghal ttaeneun pyeonhan bajireul ibeoyo.
  I wear comfortable pants when I exercise.
• 백화점에서 겨울 코트를 샀어요.
  Baekhwajeomaeseo gyeoul koteureul sasseoyo.
  I bought a winter coat at the department store.
• 이 셔츠 다림질해야 해요.
  I syeocheu darimjilhaeya haeyo.
  I need to iron this shirt.
• 청바지랑 티셔츠가 제일 편해요.
  Cheongbajirang tisyeocheuga jeil pyeonhaeyo.
  Jeans and a T-shirt are the most comfortable.
• 모자를 쓰면 더 멋있어 보여요.
  Mojareul sseumyeon deo meossisseo boyeoyo.
  You look cooler when you wear a hat.