설날, 한국의 음력설 명절
Seollal: Korea's Lunar New Year Traditions Explained
Part of the July 18, 2026 daily edition
설날은 음력 1월 1일입니다. 한국에서 가장 큰 명절 중 하나입니다. 설날 아침에는 가족이 모여서 떡국을 먹습니다. 아이들은 어른들께 세배를 하고, 어른들은 덕담과 함께 세뱃돈을 줍니다. 설날은 법정 공휴일이라서 보통 3일 동안 쉽니다.
Translation
Seollal is the first day of the lunar calendar. It is one of the biggest traditional holidays in Korea. On Seollal morning, families gather and eat tteokguk (rice cake soup). Children bow to their elders (sebae), and the elders give them New Year's money along with words of blessing. Since Seollal is a legal public holiday, people usually get three days off.
Vocabulary
- 설날명사 (noun)Lunar New Year's Day (Seollal)
- 명절명사 (noun)traditional holiday
- 떡국명사 (noun)rice cake soup
- 세배명사 (noun)traditional New Year's bow to elders
- 덕담명사 (noun)words of blessing or good wishes, especially from elders to children
- 세뱃돈명사 (noun)New Year's money given to children
- 공휴일명사 (noun)public holiday
Grammar points
-고and
Connects two clauses to show a sequence of actions or add related information, similar to 'and' in English.
Example: 아이들은 세배를 하고 세뱃돈을 받습니다.
Children bow to their elders and receive New Year's money.
N이라서because it is N
Attaches to a noun to give a reason or cause, meaning 'because it is N'. It is the reason form of 이다 (to be).
Example: 설날은 법정 공휴일이라서 보통 3일 동안 쉽니다.
Since Seollal is a legal public holiday, people usually get three days off.
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