What it means
설날 is the Korean Lunar New Year — the most important holiday of the year. Celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar (usually January or February). A time for family, 세배 (New Year bow), and 떡국 (rice cake soup).
Nuance & when to use
설날 traditions: 세배 (deep bow to elders), 세뱃돈 (money given after bowing), 한복 (traditional dress), 떡국 (rice cake soup — eating it means you age one year). 설날 고향 방문 (returning to hometown) causes Korea's worst traffic jams annually.
⚠ Common mistake
설날 ≠ January 1 (양력 새해 = solar New Year). Koreans celebrate both, but 설날 (lunar) is the big family holiday.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
설날 traditions: 세배 (deep bow to elders), 세뱃돈 (money given after bowing), 한복 (traditional dress), 떡국 (rice cake soup — eating it means you age one year). 설날 고향 방문 (returning to hometown) causes Korea's worst traffic jams annually.
What's a common mistake?
설날 ≠ January 1 (양력 새해 = solar New Year). Koreans celebrate both, but 설날 (lunar) is the big family holiday.
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