Korean to English translation
Korean to English translation is one of the most requested language combinations: Korean has around 77.3M speakers and is official in North Korea and South Korea.
Korean uses Hangul with spaces; speech levels and honorifics shape every sentence. Particles change with the preceding sound, which complicates variables.
Indicative freelance rates for east asian languages run from about $0.10 to $0.22 per word for general commercial work; specialised, certified and urgent jobs cost more, and literary translation is usually paid per 1,000 words.
In the US, 1,101,846 people speak Korean at home and 555,923 speak English less than "very well", which drives steady demand for Korean–English translation and interpreting in healthcare, legal and public services.
Indicative rates
Per-word band for general commercial work in the east asian group. Real quotes depend on subject, volume, deadline and experience.
Translation cost calculatorEstimate a quote by language, word count, subject and deadline.
Open calculator →Tips for Korean → English projects
- Quote by source characters or words consistently — CJK character counts are not comparable with English word counts.
- Agree on formality (formal vs informal address) for Korean before translation starts and record it in the style guide.
- Decide on US or UK English spelling and punctuation conventions up front.
- For official documents (birth certificates, diplomas) into English, US agencies usually accept a translator's signed certification; check the receiving institution.
- Send reference material and a glossary of brand or series terms; it saves revision rounds and money.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Korean to English translation cost?
Typical freelance rates are about $0.10–$0.22 per word, depending on subject, deadline and the translator's experience.
How long does it take to translate Korean to English?
A professional translator typically produces 2,000–3,000 words a day, plus time for revision by a second linguist.