Essential Guide To The 7 Days Of The Week In Korean

Annyeong (안녕), thanks for stopping by. Are you interested in learning new Korean vocabulary? If so, you have come to the right place because today, we’ll focus on how to say the days of the week in Korean. At first, it may seem like a lot—Korean pronunciation can be tricky. I totally understand! But don’t worry; we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

By the end of this post, hopefully, saying the days of the week in Korean will feel like a walk in the park. Let’s get started!

Introduction To The Days Of The Week In Korean

Keep in mind that the Korean word for ‘day’ – yoil (요일)—will sound different depending on the soft sound rule in Korean. Did you know that Korean words are related to some Chinese characters used in the language every day? This is because the Korean alphabet – Hangeul (한글)’ was made in 1443 by King Sejong, and before its creation, Korean people used Chinese characters. Even to this day, a decent amount of Chinese characters are used in Korean.

It is important to note that Korean Chinese characters are quite different from actual Chinese characters. I would need a couple of posts to explain this properly. However, it’s necessary to understand this because the days of the week in Korean are related to Chinese characters.

7 Days Of The Week In Korean

Do you remember learning the days of the week for the first time in your native language? We all learn them early because we use them every day.

The days of the week in Korean are quite fascinating, as each one has its own particular meaning. Each day is connected to a specific element, so if you associate each day with its element, you’ll have an easier time remembering them rather than just repeating the names.

In Korean, the days of the week repeat, just like in English. In English, we add the word “day” after each day’s name. Korean is similar—once you learn the word for day – yoil ( 일), you just add it to the name of each day. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Monday – Woryoil (월요일)

Wol (월-月) means “moon.” In Korean, Monday translates to ‘moon day’ – wolyoil (월요일), highlighting the significance of this day as the start of the work week. On Monday in South Korea, many people will say, “I have a Monday sickness – Woryobyung iya(월요병이야). This expression shows how much they don’t want to go to work after the weekend. If we add the word day – yoil (요일) after wol (월-月) we’ll have ‘Monday.’ Combined, it will be Woryoil 월요일’ (Monday). The written form is ‘wol yoil,’ but it follows the soft sound rule, which means you should pronounce it as wo ryoil, not wol yoil.

Tuesday – Hwayoil(화요일)

Hwa (화-火) means “fire” and is connected to Mars. Fire has traditionally been seen as a source of energy linked to passion and action. In Korean, Tuesday is called ‘fire day’ because of this association. To form Tuesday in Korean, we add ‘day’—Yoil (요일)—to ‘Hwa’ (화). So, Tuesday in Korean is Hwayoil-(화요일).

Wednesday – Suyoil(수요일)

Su (수-水) means “water” and is associated with Mercury. In Korean culture, water is linked to wisdom. To form Wednesday in Korean, we add ‘day’—Yoil (요일)—to Su (수). So, Wednesday in Korean is Suyoil (수요일).

Thursday – Mogyoil(목요일)

Mok(목-木) means “wood,” and it is related to Jupiter. Korean people believe that wood means ‘full energy of life.’ You know what you are supposed to do, right? Let’s add Yoil(요일) after Mok(목-木)’ to make a Thursday. It will be Mogyoil (목요일).The written way should be ‘mog yo il,’ but this one follows the rule of the soft sound as well. So, you should say mo gyoil, not mog yo il.

Friday – Geumyoil(금요일)

Geum (금-金) means “gold,” and it is related to Venus. In Korean, Friday translates as ‘Gold Day’- Geumyoil (금요일-). As in other countries, Friday marks the end of the work week. On Fridays, Korean people like to say bool geum (불금), which means ‘Let’s have a party like a burning fire!’ this is because you don’t have to work the next day. It’s similar to the English expression ‘TGIF’ but with a Korean twist.

When you add Yoil (요일) after Geum (금-金), you get Friday-Geumyoil (금요일.) The written form is geum yoil (금요일), but it follows the soft sound rule. So, you should say geumyoil (금요일), not geum yoil.

Saturday – Toyoil(토요일)

To (토-土) means “earth” and is associated with soil. Saturday in Korean translates to Earth Day – Toyoil (토요일), which is culturally significant as a day for relaxation and social activities. Saturday is linked to
Saturn, and to form Saturday in Korean, we add Yoil (요일)to To (토). So, Saturday in Korean is Toyoil (토요일). Yep, this one doesn’t have the last consonant, so it’s good as it is!

Sunday – Iryoil (일요일)

Il (일-日) means “sun.” Like in other cultures, Sunday is a day for rest, spending time with family, and preparing for the upcoming week. Ready to do this for the last time? Let’s add ‘Day’—Yoil (요일)—after Il (일) to form Sunday. It becomes 일요일 (Ilyoil). Uh-oh, this one has the last consonant, which means the soft sound rule applies. So, you should say Iroil (이로일), not Ilyoil.

How To Pronounce The Days Of The Of The Week In Korean

To pronounce the days of the week in Korean correctly, it’s important to understand how the last consonant impacts pronunciation. Take Wol (월), Mok (목), Geum (금), and Il (일) — these days have a final consonant. On the other hand, Hwa (화), Su (수), and To (토) have just one consonant and a vowel. When you add ‘day’ –yoil (요일) to Wol (월), Mok (목), Geum (금), and Il (일), the final consonant triggers the application of the soft sound rule. This is where pronunciation shifts slightly to create a smoother flow between syllables. For example, Il (일) becomes Iroil (이로일) under this rule.

This rule, known as the “soft sound rule,” is fundamental because it helps the pronunciation sound more fluid and natural. The key takeaway is that understanding Korean syllables’ structure and how their endings affect the following sounds will improve your fluency.

I have a little challenge for you! Whenever you come across a Korean word, try to pronounce it. Korean is a language that relies on sounds, so by paying attention to how the words are pronounced, you’ll improve your Korean speaking skills and remember words better. With consistent practice, the subtle differences in pronunciation will start to feel natural.

Korean Songs Related To The Days Of The Week

To help you practice your Korean pronunciation, here are two great songs. The first is “Week- Wol, Hwa, Soo, Mok, Geum, To, Il (월화수목금토일)” by Chungha, released in 2017. She’s a well-known singer in Korea, famous for her unique and beautiful voice.

The second song is “All Day – Wol, Hwa, Soo, Mok, Geum, To, Il (월화수목금토일)” by Onew, released in 2024. He’s a member of the famous K-pop group Shinee, and his voice is warm and charming.

Both songs use the days of the week in their titles, without ‘Yoil (요일).’ To remember them more easily, you can just say “Wol, Hwa, Soo, Mok, Geum, To, Il (월화수목금토일)”—just like the song titles!

Tip To Remember The Days Of The Of The Weeks In Korean

To help you remember the days of the week in Korean, focus on the core meanings behind each day. As we mentioned, each day is tied to an element. Monday is Wol (월), which represents the Moon; Tuesday is Hwa (화), linked to Fire; Wednesday is Su (수), representing Water; Thursday is Mok (목), symbolizing Wood; Friday is Geum (금), representing Gold; Saturday is To (토), associated with Earth; and Sunday is Il (일), which represents the Sun.

To make it easier, just remember the first letter of each day’s Korean character: Wol (월), Hwa (화), Su (수), Mok (목), Geum (금), To (토), Il (일).

Korean Vocabulary Related To The Days Of The Week

Here’s some extra vocabulary so you can talk about the days of the week in Korean:

FAQs About The Days Of The Week In Korean

1. What Are The 7 Days In Korean?

Here are seven days of the week in Korean. They may be a little bit hard to pronounce at first, but as you practice, it’ll get easier!

• Monday – Woryoil (월요일) 🔊 Play 월요일
• Tuesday – Hwayoil (화요일) 🔊 Play 화요일
• Wednesday – Suyoil (수요일) 🔊 Play 수요일
• Thursday – Mogyoil (목요일) 🔊 Play 목요일
• Friday – Geumyoil (금요일) 🔊 Play 금요일
• Saturday – Toyoil (토요일) 🔊 Play 토요일
• Sunday – Iryoil (일요일) 🔊 Play 일요일

2. Can You Learn The Days Of The Week In Korean In One Day?

Yes, you can learn the days of the week in Korean in one day. With some focus and practice, you can easily memorize them. It’s all about repetition, and once you understand the pronunciation and meanings, you’ll be able to remember them quickly.

3. Do I Need To Use “Il (일)” When Talking About The Days Of The Week In Korean?

You’ll often hear the days of the week with ‘Il (일),’ but it may be dropped in casual conversations or Korean song titles. Pay attention to when and why this happens so you can use it correctly.

Wrapping Up

In this guide, you’ve learned all about the seven days of the week in Korean. We’ve covered their meanings, how to pronounce them, and shared some handy tips to help you remember them.

You’re now ready to start talking about these days confidently. With a bit of practice, you’ll get more and more comfortable with Korean in no time. Keep it up!

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Thanks for reading! I will see you guys next time – Daeume tto mannayo (다음에 또 만나요)