Korean · Travel & Getting Around
"Car" in Korean: 차 / 자동차
차 / 자동차cha / jadongcha
Car in Korean is 차 / 자동차 (cha / jadongcha). 차 commonly means car in travel contexts; 자동차 is explicit and avoids the tea meaning of 차.
Explaining how you arrived
차를 타고 왔어요.chareul tago wasseoyo.
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How to pronounce 차 / 자동차
Say it
cha
/tɕʰa/
차 (cha) has 1 Hangul syllable. 차 ends in a vowel; do not add a final English consonant.
"Car" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 차cha | Car Basic dictionary noun. | Basic dictionary noun. |
| 차 여행cha yeohaeng | car journey A useful combination with 차. | A useful combination with 차. |
| 차를chareul | Car (as an object) Use 를 when 차 is the object of an action. | Use 를 when 차 is the object of an action. |
| 자동차jadongcha | Car An alternative shown alongside 차; choose according to the meaning. | An alternative shown alongside 차; choose according to the meaning. |
How to use 차 / 자동차 in real life
- 1Explaining how you arrived
차를 타고 왔어요.
chareul tago wasseoyo.
I came by car.
차를 uses 를 to mark an object.
- 2Checking a departure
차가 언제 출발해요?
chaga eonje chulbalhaeyo?
When does the car leave?
차가 marks 차 as the subject.
- 3Finding the boarding point
차를 어디에서 타요?
chareul eodieseo tayo?
Where do I get on the car?
차를 uses 를 to mark an object.
Mistakes English speakers make with 차 / 자동차
Incorrect: 차을 타고 왔어요.
Correct: 차를 타고 왔어요.
When practicing car, use the correct particle or copula after 차; the final sound determines whether a linking consonant is needed.
Incorrect: 차이에요.
Correct: 차예요.
When practicing car, when identifying something as 차, use 차예요. The vowel-final noun takes 예요 directly.
Good to know
차 commonly means car in travel contexts; 자동차 is explicit and avoids the tea meaning of 차. The combination 차 여행 (cha yeohaeng) means car journey.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led travel and directions study exercise: two sentences with 차 / 자동차
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
차를 타고 왔어요.
chareul tago wasseoyo.
I came by car.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
차가 언제 출발해요?
chaga eonje chulbalhaeyo?
When does the car leave?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Car" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Car" in Korean
What does 차 mean in Korean?
Car in Korean is 차 / 자동차 (cha / jadongcha). 차 commonly means car in travel contexts; 자동차 is explicit and avoids the tea meaning of 차.
How do I use 차 여행?
차 여행 (cha yeohaeng) means car journey. 차 commonly means car in travel contexts; 자동차 is explicit and avoids the tea meaning of 차.
Which object particle goes after 차?
Use 를: 차를. For example, 차를 타고 왔어요. means “I came by car.”
How is 차 pronounced?
차 (cha) has 1 Hangul syllable. 차 ends in a vowel; do not add a final English consonant.
Use these words in a conversation
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- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
