Korean Clothing & Fashion Vocabulary옷과 패션

clothes

새 옷을 샀어요.I bought new clothes.

💡 Memory tip: 옷 is short and simple, just like putting on a basic outfit. It's the go-to word for any clothing.

Pronunciation: The final ㅅ batchim is pronounced as [ㄷ] in isolation: [옫]. Before a vowel particle, it resurfaces: 옷을 → [오슬].

pants / trousers

이 바지 너무 편해요.These pants are really comfortable.

💡 Memory tip: Sounds a bit like "baggy" -- think of baggy pants!

Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [바지]. Both syllables are clear and open.

skirt

빨간 치마를 입고 싶어요.I want to wear the red skirt.

💡 Memory tip: The hanbok (traditional Korean dress) has a flowing 치마 skirt -- it's one of the oldest Korean clothing words.

Pronunciation: The ㅊ is an aspirated consonant with a strong "ch" sound. Pronounced clearly as [치마].

shirt

흰색 셔츠가 잘 어울려요.The white shirt looks good on you.

💡 Memory tip: A loanword from English "shirt." Korean adds the ㅡ vowel to final consonant clusters: shirt → 셔츠.

Pronunciation: Loanword pronunciation: the ㅕ gives the "yeo" sound and final ㅡ is added after ㅊ to form [셔츠].

dress (one-piece)

여름에는 원피스가 시원해요.In summer, dresses are cool (refreshing).

💡 Memory tip: From English "one-piece." In Korean fashion, a 원피스 is specifically a dress -- a single piece of clothing from top to bottom.

Pronunciation: Loanword from "one-piece": 원 (won) + 피 (pi) + 스 (seu). The ㅡ vowel fills in the final consonant.

shoes

새 신발이 예뻐요.The new shoes are pretty.

💡 Memory tip: 신 (shin, related to feet/wearing on feet) + 발 (bal, feet). Literally "foot-wear"!

Pronunciation: Pronounced [신발]. The ㄴ batchim links smoothly to the ㅂ initial of 발.

hat

햇빛이 강해서 모자를 썼어요.I wore a hat because the sunlight was strong.

💡 Memory tip: Think "Mo-ja" -- "more jaw" coverage! A hat protects your face and jaw from the sun.

Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [모자]. Both syllables are clear. Note: 모자 also means "mother and child" in a different context.

to wear (clothes)

오늘 뭐 입을까요?What should I wear today?

💡 Memory tip: Korean has different "wear" verbs for different body parts. 입다 is for clothing on your torso/body (shirts, dresses, pants).

Pronunciation: Pronounced [입따]. The ㅂ batchim before ㄷ causes ㄷ to tense into [ㄸ].

to wear (shoes)

운동화를 신고 나갔어요.I put on sneakers and went out.

💡 Memory tip: 신 is also in 신발 (shoes). 신다 = to put on your 신발. Shoes go on feet!

Pronunciation: Pronounced [신다]. The ㄴ batchim connects smoothly to ㄷ.

to take off (clothes/shoes)

집에 오면 신발을 벗으세요.Please take off your shoes when you come home.

💡 Memory tip: The opposite of wearing! In Korea, you always 벗다 your shoes at the door.

Pronunciation: Pronounced [벋따]. The ㅅ batchim neutralizes to [ㄷ] and causes the following ㄷ to tense into [ㄸ].

to suit / to look good on

그 색이 잘 어울려요!That color suits you well!

💡 Memory tip: Think of 어울리다 as things "harmonizing" together. When an outfit matches a person, it 어울리다!

Pronunciation: The double ㄹ in 울리 creates a clear lateral sound. Polite form: 어울려요.

size

이 옷 사이즈가 어떻게 돼요?What size is this clothing?

💡 Memory tip: Direct loanword from English "size." Very common in Korean clothing stores.

Pronunciation: Loanword: sa-i-jeu. The ㅈ is pronounced as a soft "j" and final ㅡ is added.

to try on

이거 입어 봐도 돼요?Can I try this on?

💡 Memory tip: 입다 (wear) + 보다 (try/see) = try wearing! This is the -아/어 보다 grammar pattern applied to 입다.

Pronunciation: Two-word verb phrase: 입어 [이버] + 보다 [보다]. The ㅂ batchim of 입 links to 어 as [이버].