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Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam: Seoul Neighborhood Vocabulary
Each neighborhood has a vibe and a vocab. Here’s the kit to talk Seoul without sounding touristy.
Published on September 14, 2026
홍대 (Hongdae) = youth/nightlife, 이태원 (Itaewon) = international, 강남 (Gangnam) = business/upscale. Naming them correctly changes your plans and conversations.
Mental map
- 홍대/합정: campus, bars, indie
- 이태원/경리단길: international food
- 강남/역삼: offices, shopping
- 성수: design cafés, pop-ups
- 북촌/서촌: hanok, photos
Useful phrases
홍대입구에서 만나요. 강남역 몇 번 출구예요? 이 골목 맞아요?
Key vocabulary
| Word | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 핫플 | hatpeul | Hot place |
| 골목 | golmok | Alley |
| 출구 | chulgu | Exit (subway) |
| 근처 | geuncheo | Nearby |
| 번화가 | beonhwaga | Busy downtown area |
Tip
Always give the subway exit number: in Seoul it saves 15 pointless walking minutes.
Go further
Find these words in the Seonsaengnim dictionary and practice them in lessons / flashcards with native audio.
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