The capital of South Korea, Seoul, is officially written as “서울 (Seoul)” and Chinese characters are not used. However, in foreign contexts, the characters “首爾” often appear. This article explains the origin and historical background behind this usage in a clear and accessible way.
- Seoul’s Official Name Is the Native Word “Seoul,” Not Chinese Characters
- Why the Chinese Characters “首爾” Came to Be Used
- The Historical Evolution of Seoul’s Names
- Different Spellings of Seoul in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and English
- The Cultural Meaning Behind the Name “Seoul”
- Features of Seoul’s Various Names
- International Confusion and Understanding
- Seoul’s Names as a Mirror of History
- Conclusion
Seoul’s Official Name Is the Native Word “Seoul,” Not Chinese Characters
The name Seoul is the only official designation for South Korea’s capital. After independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, the previously used name “京城 (Keijō)” was abolished, and a native Korean word was chosen as the city’s name to symbolize national independence and identity.
The word “서울 (Seoul)” originally meant “capital” or “main city” in general and was not a proper noun. However, after independence, the term became fixed as the unique name of Korea’s central city. Today, government documents, maps, road signs, and official records all use “서울,” and no Chinese characters are employed.
Changes in education also reinforced this shift. Since the 1970s, the emphasis on Chinese character education has diminished, and Korean society now operates almost entirely in Hangul. As a result, younger generations have little to no familiarity with “首爾,” and many cannot even recognize the characters. In short, Seoul has become a city name completely separated from Chinese characters.
Why the Chinese Characters “首爾” Came to Be Used
When city names are written in foreign languages, they are often adapted to the conventions of those languages. In Chinese, foreign place names are traditionally transliterated using characters. For Seoul, the chosen form was “首爾.”
- “首” – Represents “capital” or “head,” emphasizing the city’s central role.
- “爾” – Added to approximate the sound of “Seoul.”
The result is the pronunciation “Shǒu’ěr,” which resembles the Korean “서울.” In the Chinese-speaking world, newspapers, broadcasts, and academic works consistently use “首爾,” making it the standard foreign-language form.
In contrast, Japanese typically uses katakana to write “ソウル (Sōru/Seoul).” While some dictionaries or maps include “首爾,” it is unfamiliar to most Japanese readers. Thus, “首爾” is not a Korean usage but a Chinese-language convention occasionally appearing in Japanese references.
The Historical Evolution of Seoul’s Names
Throughout history, Seoul has been called by different names, reflecting political and cultural shifts of each era.
| Era | Name | Pronunciation | Meaning / Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseon Dynasty | 漢城 (Hansŏng) | Hanseong | “Castle on the Han River” |
| Japanese Colonial Period | 京城 (Keijō) | Keijō | “Capital city of Korea” |
| Post-Independence | 서울 (Seoul) | Seoul | Native Korean term meaning “capital” |
“Hansŏng” and “Keijō” were historical names, but neither is used today. After independence, the adoption of “Seoul” was not only linguistic but also symbolic, representing Korea’s rejection of imposed colonial-era names and its embrace of cultural independence.
Different Spellings of Seoul in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and English
Today, Seoul is a globally recognized city, but its spelling varies across languages.
| Language | Form | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | 서울 | Seoul |
| Japanese | ソウル | Seoul |
| Chinese | 首爾 | Shǒu’ěr |
| English | Seoul | Seoul |
Korean uses only the native form, Japanese relies on katakana, and English uses the romanized version. Only Chinese employs the special form “首爾,” reflecting its unique transliteration tradition.
The Cultural Meaning Behind the Name “Seoul”
The adoption of the native word “Seoul” as the city’s official name carries deep cultural and symbolic meaning. It demonstrates Korea’s determination to reclaim its identity after colonial rule.
During Japanese occupation, city names were imposed externally, often suppressing native terminology. After independence, rejecting Chinese characters and affirming Hangul for the capital’s name became an act of cultural pride.
Moreover, since “서울” itself means “capital,” the name resonates strongly with Koreans as a representation of their nation’s heart. For foreigners, understanding this context provides valuable insight into Korean culture and history.
Features of Seoul’s Various Names
| Form | Region of Use | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 서울 | Korea | The only official name. No Chinese characters used |
| ソウル | Japan | Katakana transcription of foreign words |
| 首爾 | Chinese-speaking regions | Transliteration. Not used in Korea |
| 漢城 | Historical | Used during the Joseon era |
| 京城 | Colonial period | Used under Japanese rule |
International Confusion and Understanding
Because of these differences, foreigners may sometimes be confused. For example, travelers from Chinese-speaking countries are accustomed to “首爾,” while Koreans never use it domestically. This discrepancy often leads newcomers to wonder whether “首爾” and “Seoul” refer to the same city.
To avoid such confusion, international organizations and travel guides primarily adopt the unified name “Seoul” in English. Still, learning about historical variations helps one understand the deeper cultural context behind the city’s name.
Seoul’s Names as a Mirror of History
The evolution of Seoul’s name reflects more than just language—it mirrors Korea’s broader history.
| Period | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient | 漢城 (Hansŏng) | Reflected geography around the Han River |
| Modern (colonial) | 京城 (Keijō) | Japanese-imposed administrative name |
| Contemporary | 서울 (Seoul) | Symbol of independence and cultural identity |
Conclusion
The Chinese character form “首爾” is not used in Korea, but rather originates from Chinese transliteration practices. Korea’s only official name is “서울 (Seoul),” while older names such as “Hansŏng” and “Keijō” remain part of historical memory.
In Japanese, the correct form is simply “ソウル” in katakana, while Chinese-speaking contexts continue to use “首爾.”
Understanding these differences reveals that a city’s name can reflect deep layers of history, independence, and cultural pride. When foreigners recognize that Seoul’s modern name embodies Korea’s journey toward self-determination, they gain not only linguistic knowledge but also cultural insight into the nation’s identity.
