What is winter like in Seoul, South Korea? Why don’t we explore the winter weather, wardrobe, and related vocabulary?

감기 조심하세요! (Be careful not to catch a cold!)

This is a common expression that Korean people use during the winter months.

What is the winter weather like in Seoul, South Korea?

South Korea has four distinctive seasons like most of the countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Weather in South Korea is very similar to the northeastern states in America. Winter in South Korea lasts from December to February; the weather is cold and dry, and the days are shorter and sun sets earlier than other seasons. Virginia’s weather, especially around Washington D.C. area, is pretty similar to weather in Seoul, South Korea. In Seoul, January is the coldest month of the winter season, and its temperature ranges between 21 degrees and 37 degrees Fahrenheit. (South Korea uses Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, so its temperature is equivalent to about -6 degrees and 3 degrees Celsius.) Seoul is cooler than the southern cities like Busan or Jeju.

For your future reference, click the following link and check the line graph to get an idea of winter months’ temperatures or overall temperature per year.

https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/KSXX0037:1:KS

Interesting Winter Phenomenon: 삼한 사온

Korea used to have a winter pattern called 삼한 사온; it literally means, “3 days of cold and 4 days of warmth.” This phenomenon is a 7 day cycle with 3 days of consecutive cold days followed by 4 days of consecutive warm days. This pattern occurs due to a periodic expansion and retreat of Siberian High pressure zones. However, this phenomenon has become less predictable because of climate changes throughout the world.

 Clothing

If you plan to visit Seoul during the winter months, the following ideas or options would be helpful to dress appropriately depending on your trip itinerary and activities and make your trip enjoyable. If you are familiar with the weather in the northeastern states of America, you will have a good idea on your wardrobe selections. On the contrary, if you are like my friend who came straight from the tropical region and did not go out of the hotel for 2 weeks, it is a good idea to prepare yourself to make the best out of your visit.

It might be freezing cold outside, but it is warm inside; therefore, Korean people like to add layers to keep their bodies warm outside and to adjust to fluctuating temperature differences between indoors and outdoors. The following are popular clothing items that Koreans commonly *WEAR under their winter coats or down jackets:

 

• 내복 (thermal long john)
• 스웨터 (sweater)
• 목티 (turtle neck shirt)
• 가디간 (cardigan)
• 조끼 (vest)
• 스카프 (scarf)
• 목도리 (muffler)
• 모자 (hat/ beanie)
• 귀마개 (earmuffs)
• 장갑 (gloves)
• 부츠 (boots)

Koreans are somewhat fashion conscious, so when you layer yourself, it is a good idea to consider your business appropriate look or casual attire.

Even during the cold winter months, the city of Seoul will still keep you occupied and entertained with many tourist attractions and activities through the city. That is why Seoul is called the city that never sleeps. Your heart will be warm with the exciting opportunities of sightseeing and activities along with delicious warm Korean food.

감사합니다!  (Thank you!)

***Related Vocabulary***

1. 감기 조심하세요! (Be careful not to catch a cold!)

2. 삼한 사온: it literally means “3 days of cold and 4 days of warmth.”

In English, the verb *WEAR is used with the clothing items, however, in the following examples, please pay attention to the Korean verb that goes with each item.

3. 입다 (wear):

• 내복 (thermal long john)
• 스웨터 (sweater)
• 목티 (turtle neck shirt)
• 가디간 (cardigan)
• 조끼 (vest)

ex) 스웨터를 입다.

4. 두르다 (literally means to put on or wrap round):

• 스카프 (scarf)
• 목도리 (muffler)

ex) 목도리를 두르다.

5. 쓰다 (literally means to put on):

• 모자 (hat/ beanie)
• 귀마개 (earmuffs)

ex) 모자를 쓰다.

6. 끼다 (literally means to put on):

• 장갑 (gloves)

ex)장갑을 끼다.

7. 신다 (literally means to put on) :

• 부츠 (boots)
• 신발 (shoes)

ex) 부츠를 신다.

♣~을/를 : object markers in the Korean language.

When a noun is the direct object of a verb, 을/를 is attached to the noun.

ex) 겨울을 좋아해요. (I like winter.)

                      When a noun ends in a consonant: noun + 을

                     바나나를 좋아해요. (I like bananas.)

      When a noun ends in a vowel: noun + 를