In Korean, the names of places and stores often follow patterns, but some are basic institutions that everyone should know first.
1. Essential Everyday Institutions
These are the most common and basic places in daily life.
- 학교 (hakgyo = school)
- 초등학교 (chodeunghakgyo = elementary school)
- 중학교 (junghakgyo = middle school)
- 고등학교 (godeunghakgyo = high school)
- 대학교 (daehakgyo = university)
- 회사 (hoesa = company, office)
- 은행 (eunhaeng = bank)
- 병원 (byeongwon = hospital)
- 약국 (yakguk = pharmacy)
- 경찰서 (gyeongchalseo = police station)
- 소방서 (sobangseo = fire station)
- 우체국 (ucheguk = post office)
- 도서관 (doseogwan = library)
- 공항 (gonghang = airport)
- 버스터미널 (beoseu teomineol = bus terminal)
- 지하철역 (jihacheol yeok = subway station)
- 백화점 (baekhwajeom = department store)
- 마트 (mateu = supermarket)
- 편의점 (pyeonuijeom = convenience store)
- 식당 (sikdang = restaurant)
- 카페 (kape = café)
- 극장 (geukjang = theater)
- 미용실 (miyongsil = hair salon)
- 사진관 (sajingwan = photo studio)
- 성당 (seongdang = Catholic church)
- 교회 (gyohoe = Protestant church)
2. 방 (bang = room)
Places for entertainment or activities.
- 노래방 (karaoke room)
- PC방 (internet café / gaming room)
- 찜질방 (Korean sauna)
- 만화방 (old-style comic room)
- 다방 (old-style coffee/tea house)
3. 집 (jip = house/place)
Casual restaurants.
- 김밥집 (gimbap restaurant)
- 분식집 (snack bar)
- 국밥집 (rice soup restaurant)
- 칼국숫집 (knife-cut noodle restaurant)
4. 가게 (gage = shop)
Small everyday shops.
- 과일가게 (fruit shop)
- 빵가게 (bakery)
- 신발가게 (shoe shop)
- 옷가게 (clothing shop)
5. 점 / 점포 (jeom = shop/store)
Formal or larger scale shops.
- 음식점 (restaurant)
- 문구점 (stationery shop)
- 의류점 (clothing shop)
- 약국점 (pharmacy store, less common)
6. 관 (gwan = hall/center)
Large facilities.
- 영화관 (cinema)
- 체육관 (gymnasium)
- 공연관 (performance hall)
- 전시장 (exhibition hall)
7. 원 (won = institute/clinic)
Institutes and clinics.
- 병원 (hospital)
- 학원 (private academy)
- 치과의원 (dental clinic)
- 미용원 (old beauty salon)
8. 실 (sil = room)
Specialized service rooms.
- 미용실 (hair salon)
- 독서실 (study room)
- 연습실 (practice room)
- 마사지실 (massage room)
9. 장 (jang = market/place)
Gathering or activity places.
- 시장 (market)
- 운동장 (sports field)
- 목욕장 (public bathhouse)
- 주차장 (parking lot)
- 당구장 (billiard hall)
10. 서 (seo = office)
Public offices.
- 경찰서 (police station)
- 소방서 (fire station)
- 세무서 (tax office)
11. 당 (dang = hall/house)
Official or religious halls.
- 식당 (restaurant, dining hall)
- 성당 (Catholic church)
- 강당 (auditorium)
12. 터 (teo = site/ground)
Sites or grounds.
- 놀이터 (playground)
- 장터 (marketplace)
13. Modern Loanwords & Konglish
카페 (café)
- 카페 (café)
- 디저트카페 (dessert café)
- 만화카페 (comic café)
- 보드게임카페 (board game café)
- 방탈출카페 (escape room café)
- VR카페 (VR café)
바 (bar)
- 와인바 (wine bar)
- 호프바 (beer bar)
샵 (shop)
- 네일샵 (nail salon)
- 헤어샵 (hair salon)
- 펫샵 (pet shop)
- 굿즈샵 (goods shop for K-pop, anime, etc.)
기타
- 레스토랑 (restaurant)
- 호텔 (hotel)
- 모텔 (motel)
- 펍 (pub)
- 라운지 (lounge)
14. Recently Popular Places
Trendy modern leisure spots.
- 만화카페 (comic café)
- 방탈출카페 (escape room café)
- 보드게임카페 (board game café)
- VR카페 (VR café)
- 무인카페 (unmanned café)
- 인생네컷 (Life Four Cuts, self-photo studio franchise)
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