Korean dialects (사투리, saturi) vary significantly by region, with differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and intonation. While Standard Korean (표준어) based on Seoul dialect is used in media and education, regional dialects remain strong in everyday life.
Major Dialect Regions
Main dialect areas:
- 서울/경기 (Seoul/Gyeonggi) - Standard Korean base
- 경상도 (Gyeongsang) - Southeastern dialects
- 전라도 (Jeolla) - Southwestern dialects
- 충청도 (Chungcheong) - Central dialects
- 강원도 (Gangwon) - Eastern dialects
- 제주도 (Jeju) - Island dialect (most distinct)
- 함경도/평안도 (North Korean dialects)
Seoul/Standard Korean (서울말)
Characteristics
Features of standard Korean:
- Used in media, education
- Considered the prestige dialect
- Relatively neutral intonation
- Basis for textbook Korean
Common Expressions
Standard forms:
- 그래 (yes/right)
- 뭐 (what)
- 아니야 (no)
- 먹어 (eat)
Intonation
Speech pattern:
- Relatively flat, even intonation
- Rising at end for questions
- Moderate speaking pace
Gyeongsang Dialect (경상도 사투리)
Characteristics
Distinctive features:
- Strong, distinctive pitch accent
- Masculine-sounding (stereotypically)
- Pronounces words more forcefully
- Different sentence endings
Pronunciation Differences
Sound changes:
- 저 → 지 (I - humble)
- 것 → 기 (thing)
- -지 않아 → -안 (negative)
Unique Endings
Special sentence endings:
- -노 (statement/question)
- -나 (question)
- -데이 (statement)
- -카이 (you know)
- -다 아이가 (isn't it)
Examples:
- 뭐하노? (What are you doing?)
- 그카이 (You know)
- 맞나? (Is it right?)
Common Expressions
Gyeongsang-specific:
- 이기 뭐고? (What is this?)
- 가보자 → 가보까 (Let's go)
- 그라 (Yes/Okay - from 그래)
Regional Variations
Busan (부산):
- Most famous Gyeongsang subdialect
- Even stronger intonation
- 아이가 (isn't it)
- Very distinctive accent
Daegu (대구):
- Similar to Busan but slightly softer
- Strong pitch accent remains
Jeolla Dialect (전라도 사투리)
Characteristics
Distinctive features:
- Softer, more melodious intonation
- Many unique vocabulary items
- Different verb endings
- Feminine-sounding (stereotypically)
Pronunciation Differences
Sound changes:
- 하 → 허 (do)
- Adding ㅡ vowels
- Softer consonants
Unique Endings
Special sentence endings:
- -당께 (because)
- -잉 (statement ending)
- -시라우 (honorific question)
- -제 (soft question)
- -여 (from -어)
Examples:
- 뭐하시라우? (What are you doing? - honorific)
- 그러제 (Is that so?)
- 좋당께 (Because it's good)
Common Expressions
Jeolla-specific:
- 그려 (Yes/Right - from 그래)
- 거시기 (that thing/you know)
- 함 (once - from 한 번)
- 잉 (statement ending)
Regional Variations
Gwangju (광주):
- Urban Jeolla dialect
- Slightly less pronounced features
Rural Jeolla:
- Stronger dialect features
- More unique vocabulary
Chungcheong Dialect (충청도 사투리)
Characteristics
Distinctive features:
- Very slow, relaxed speech
- Stretching out syllables
- Gentle, laid-back tone
- Known as slowest Korean dialect
Unique Features
Speech patterns:
- Adding -유 ending
- Stretching final syllables
- Very relaxed pronunciation
Common Expressions
Chungcheong-specific:
- -유 (polite ending)
- 그려유 (Yes - polite)
- 함 가보유 (Let's go)
- 뭐유? (What is it?)
Intonation
Speech style:
- Very slow tempo
- Extended vowels
- Relaxed, easygoing feeling
Gangwon Dialect (강원도 사투리)
Characteristics
Features:
- Influenced by both Seoul and northeastern dialects
- Mountain region variations
- Distinctive in eastern coastal areas
Common Expressions
Gangwon-specific:
- -구만 (statement ending)
- -잖어 variations
- Mountain village vocabulary
Jeju Dialect (제주 사투리)
Characteristics
Most distinct Korean dialect:
- Almost unintelligible to other Koreans
- Considered separate language by some
- Ancient Korean features preserved
- Unique vocabulary
Distinctive Features
Major differences:
- Completely different vocabulary
- Unique grammar structures
- Different pronunciation system
- Archaic Korean features
Common Differences
Examples:
- 어떻게 → 엇지 (how)
- 집 → 거릉 (house - archaic)
- 뭐 → 무사 (what)
- 가다 → 감수다 (go)
Preservation Efforts
Cultural importance:
- UNESCO endangered language list
- Preservation programs active
- Cultural heritage status
North Korean Dialects
Pyongan Dialect (평안도)
Northwestern Korea:
- Basis for North Korean standard
- Different from South Korean standard
- Unique vocabulary developments
Hamgyeong Dialect (함경도)
Northeastern Korea:
- Strong accent
- Distinctive intonation
- Influenced by Russian/Chinese
North-South Differences
Divergence:
- 70+ years of separation
- Different vocabulary (especially modern terms)
- Different pronunciation standards
- Political/ideological terms
Common Dialect Features
Vocabulary Differences
Regional words:
- Same meaning, different words
- Regional food terms
- Local customs terms
Grammar Variations
Structural differences:
- Different sentence endings
- Varying particles
- Unique conjugations
Intonation Patterns
Pitch and rhythm:
- Gyeongsang: High pitch variation
- Jeolla: Melodious, soft
- Chungcheong: Slow, stretched
- Seoul: Relatively flat
Dialect Perception
Stereotypes
Common associations:
- Gyeongsang: Tough, masculine, direct
- Jeolla: Soft, feminine, gentle
- Chungcheong: Slow, lazy (humor)
- Jeju: Incomprehensible, unique
Note: These are stereotypes and don't reflect reality
Social Aspects
Dialect attitudes:
- Standard Korean = educated, professional
- Dialects = regional identity, warmth
- Code-switching common
- Dialects in entertainment popular
Modern Trends
Dialect Preservation
Current situation:
- Younger generation speaks less dialect
- Urban areas more standardized
- Rural areas maintain stronger dialects
- Cultural efforts to preserve
Media Representation
Dialects in entertainment:
- Comedians using dialects
- TV shows featuring regional speech
- Dialect pride increasing
- Positive representation growing
Code-Switching
Language flexibility:
- Switch to standard in formal situations
- Use dialect with family/locals
- Maintain both competencies
- Situational language choice
Learning Dialects
Why Learn Dialects
Benefits:
- Better comprehension in regions
- Cultural understanding
- Connection with locals
- Entertainment appreciation
Which to Learn
Recommendations for learners:
- Start with Standard Korean first
- Learn passive understanding of main dialects
- Focus on Gyeongsang and Jeolla for variety
- Jeju if interested in unique features
Common Dialect Comparisons
"What are you doing?"
Regional variations:
- Seoul: 뭐 해?
- Gyeongsang: 뭐 하노?
- Jeolla: 뭐 하시라우? (honorific)
- Chungcheong: 뭐 하유?
- Jeju: 무신 거 ���수과?
"It's delicious"
Regional variations:
- Seoul: 맛있어
- Gyeongsang: 맛있다 아이가
- Jeolla: 맛있어라 / 맛있당께
- Chungcheong: 맛있어유
"Let's go"
Regional variations:
- Seoul: 가자
- Gyeongsang: 가보까 / 가자 아이가
- Jeolla: 가보제 / 가세
- Chungcheong: 가보유
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: Mixing dialects randomly
Sounds unnatural
✅ Correct: Stick to standard or one dialect
Consistent usage
❌ Incorrect: Using dialect in formal situations
Inappropriate register
✅ Correct: Use standard Korean formally
Proper code-switching
❌ Incorrect: Assuming dialect = uneducated
Harmful stereotype
✅ Correct: Respect regional variations
Cultural appreciation
Summary Table
| Region | Key Feature | Example | Stereotype |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Standard | 그래 (right) | Neutral/Standard |
| Gyeongsang | Strong pitch | 그카이 (you know) | Tough/Masculine |
| Jeolla | Melodious | 그려 (right) | Soft/Gentle |
| Chungcheong | Slow speech | 그려유 (right) | Relaxed/Slow |
| Gangwon | Mixed features | 그래구만 (right) | Rural |
| Jeju | Very distinct | 그레 (right) | Unique/Ancient |