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In this post, you will learn how to say and write the month of May in Korean, the meaning of May in Korea, and the public holidays and observances associated with the month of May in Korea.
Table of Contents
Let’s begin with the fundamentals!
In Korean, months are represented by a Sino-Korean number followed by the word 월, which means “month.”
The Sino-Korean numbers one through twelve correspond to January through December. When you combine a number with “월” (wol), it forms the name of the month: (Sino Korean number + 월 = Month’s name).
For example:
- “일” (il) means “one” and “월” (wol) means “month,” together they form “1월” (일월, il-wol), which is January.
- “이” (i) means “two” and “월” (wol) means “month,” together they form “2월” (이월, i-wol), which is February.
This pattern continues for all the months, with the number indicating the position of the month in the year. So, when you see a number followed by “월” in Korean, it’s referring to a particular month in the calendar.
1월 (1 wol) – “1st month” or January
2월 (2 wol) – “2nd month” or February
3월 (3 wol) – “3rd month” or March
How to say May in Korean
To say May in Korean, you take the number for five, which is “오” (o), and add “월” (wol) which means month. Therefore, “오월” (o-wol) means May in Korean. This translates to “fifth month.”
As mentioned earlier, this system is consistent across all months, with 월 serving as the common suffix that indicates a month.
How to Write May in Korean
In everyday use, Koreans often write the month in numeric form.
So, for “May,” instead of writing out “오월,” Koreans write “5월” (5-wol), where “5” indicates the month of May and “월” (wol) means “month.”
What is the Meaning of May in Korea?
In South Korea, May is often referred to as “Family Month” or 가정의 달 (Gajeong-ui Dal). While there isn’t an official designation for May as Family Month, it’s a cultural concept that has gained significance over time.
During May, there are several holidays and observances throughout the month that emphasize family relationships and values such as Children’s Day, Parents’ Day, Teachers’ Day etc. These holidays provide opportunities for families to come together, spend quality time, and express appreciation for one another.
Many schools and communities also organize family-oriented events and activities throughout May, further promoting the idea of strengthening family bonds. Additionally, with the onset of warmer weather, May is often seen as a time for outdoor gatherings and outings, allowing families to enjoy nature and create lasting memories together.
May Public Holidays and Observances in South Korea
In South Korea, May has two public holiday and a few observances.
May Public Holidays in South Korea
Children’s Day (어린이날, Eorini Nal, May 5th)
Celebrated on May 5th, Children’s Day, known as 어린이날 (Eorini Nal) in Korean, is a significant public holiday in South Korea. It’s a day dedicated to children, where families often engage in special activities, give gifts to children, and spend quality time together. It is a public holiday, so schools and many businesses are closed.
Buddha’s Birthday (부처님 오신 날, Bucheonim Osin Nal)
Buddha’s Birthday, known in Korean as 부처님 오신 날 (Bucheonim Osin Nal), is one of the most significant holidays in South Korea. It is observed on April 8th of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in May on the Gregorian calendar, but the exact date varies from year to year. The holiday commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, and is celebrated across Buddhist countries worldwide.
The Korean term 석가탄신일 (Seokga Tansinil) is another common way to refer to Buddha’s Birthday in Korea. “석가” (Seokga) refers to Buddha, specifically Siddhartha Gautama. “탄신일” (Tansinil) means “the day of birth” and comes from Chinese characters.
In South Korea, Buddha’s Birthday is a public holiday, meaning most people have the day off.
May Observances in South Korea
Workers’ Day (근로자의 날, Geunroja-ui Nal, May 1st)
Labor Day (May Day), known as 근로자의 날 (Geunroja-ui Nal) in Korean, is celebrated in South Korea on May 1st.
근로자의 날 (Geunroja-ui Nal) translates to “Workers’ Day” or “Laborers’ Day” in Korean. This day is dedicated to workers and their contributions to the economy and society. It is a public holiday for many workers, especially those in unions and certain industries, but it’s not a national holiday, which means that some businesses and government offices might remain open.
On Labor Day, many workplaces often give employees the day off or recognize the day in some form. Labor unions and workers’ organizations often organize events, rallies, or other activities to celebrate workers’ achievements and advocate for workers’ rights. While it is not as widely observed by the general public as some other observances, it’s a significant day for the labor movement in South Korea.
Parents’ Day (어버이날, Eobeo-i Nal, May 8th)
Parents’ Day in South Korea, known as 어버이날 (Eobeo-i Nal), is celebrated on May 8th, and is a time to honor and appreciate parents. Children often give carnations and other tokens of gratitude to their parents, and families may gather for meals or other special occasions. Although it is widely observed, it is not an official public holiday.
Teacher’s Day (스승의 날, Seuseung-ui Nal, May 15th)
Teacher’s Day in South Korea, known as 스승의 날 (Seuseung-ui Nal), is observed on May 15th. It’s a day dedicated to honoring teachers and educators for their commitment and contributions to the education and development of students. Although it’s not a public holiday, schools and students often hold special events to express appreciation for their teachers.
May in Korean Vocabulary Recap
The following table summarizes the May-related Korean terms and their corresponding English translations from this post.
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| May (the month) | 오월 (o-wol) |
| Day | 날 (nal) |
| Month | 월 (wol) |
| Children’s Day | 어린이날 (eorini Nal) |
| Parents’ Day | 어버이날 (eobeo-i Nal) |
| Family Month | 가정의 달 (gajeong-ui Dal) |
| Teacher’s Day | 스승의 날 (seuseung-ui Nal) |
| Buddha’s Birthday | 부처님 오신 날 (bucheonim Osin Nal) |
| Buddha | 석가 (seokga) |
| The day of birth (Chinese origin) | 탄신일 (tansinil) |
