If there’s one day in Korea where parents, schools, and communities throughout the country come together to honor their little ones and make them feel special, it’s 어린이날 (Eo-rin-i-nal) or Children’s Day. Celebrated on May 5th, this national holiday is all about joy, laughter, and doting on the little ones with love. Whether you’re a language lover or a K-culture enthusiast, this mini guide to Children’s Day vocabulary will sprinkle your Korean with some extra cuteness!
Let’s jump into a carousel of words that scream fun, giggles, and childhood wonder:
1. 장난감 (Jang-nan-gam) – “Toy”
This word sounds like what it means—jumpy, bouncy, and just a bit chaotic. From plushies to robots, 장난감 (jang-nan-gam) is every child’s treasure. It’s a combination of ‘Play + Thing’. Yes, it’s that straightforward and that adorable. 장난 (jang-nan) means ‘mischief’ or ‘play’, and 감 (gam) is a suffix meaning ‘thing’ in this context.
You’ll see stores lined with shiny boxes and toy shops packed like mini amusement parks.
Example:
엄마, 저 장난감 사줘! (eom-ma, jeo jang-nan-gam sa-jwo) – ‘Mom, please buy me that toy!’
2. 과자 (Gwa-ja) – “Snacks / Treats”
과자 (gwa-ja) refers to sweet or crunchy snacks, cookies, crackers, puffs, and treats. Not quite candy, not quite chips, it sits in a cozy in-between world of treats. On 어린이날 (eo-rin-i-nal), kids often receive entire gift boxes called 과자 선물세트 (gwa-ja seon-mul-se-teu) or snack gift sets, packed with nostalgic favorites and new trendy treats.
Example:
오늘은 과자 마음껏 먹어도 돼! (O-neul-eun gwa-ja ma-eum-kkeot meog-eo-do dwae!) – ‘You can eat as many snacks as you want today!’
3. 놀이공원 (Nor-i-gong-won) – “Amusement Park”
The ultimate destination for fun, a wonderland of roller coasters, cotton candy, and cartoon mascots. Whether it’s Everland, Lotte World, or a local theme park, 놀이공원 (nor-i-gong-won) is a go-to celebration spot on May 5th.
Example:
우리는 놀이공원에 갈 거예요! (U-ri-neun nor-i-gong-won-e gal ko-ae-yo!) – ‘We’re going to the amusement park!’
4. 선물 (Seon-mul) – “Gift / Present”
Giving 선물 (seon-mul) is a big tradition on this day. The best part? It doesn’t have to be expensive—balloons, books, and hand-written notes are all fair game.
Example:
오늘 할머니가 나에게 동화책을 주셨어요. (O-neul hal-meo-ni-ga na-ae-gae dong-hwa-chaek-eul ju-sheoss-eo-yo.) – ‘Grandma gave me a fairytale book today.’
5. 캐릭터 (Kae-rik-teo) – “Character/Figurines”
If you think of Korea, you’ll gush over at least one cutesy character. Borrowed from English, this word refers to cartoon characters and figurines—like Pororo, BT21, or Kuromi—that light up every kid’s backpack, lunchbox, and heart.
Example:
이 캐릭터 짱 귀엽잖아! (i-kae-rik-teo jjang gwi-yeob-ja-na!) – ‘This character is really cute!’
So there you have it—your mini treasure chest of Korean words that giggle, bounce, and snack their way through Children’s Day! Whether you’re translating, learning, or just here for the cuteness, these words will take you on a nostalgic ride to your childhood because some words aren’t just defined, they’re felt.
어린이날 축하해요! (eo-rin-i-nal chuk-ha-hae-yo!) ‘Happy Children’s Day’ — may your day be full of 웃음! (eus-eum), Giggles!!!
Written by Ariba
Connect with us on Instagram | X | YouTube for more content, interviews, & news.
