How to Pronounce Busan

Meaning and Context

Busan, officially designated as a Metropolitan City, is the vibrant second-largest city in South Korea and a premier global port on the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Renowned for its dramatic topography where mountains meet the sea, Busan's identity is shaped by its deep harbor, which has made it the nation's busiest container port and a historic gateway for international trade. Beyond its economic significance, Busan is a major tourist destination, celebrated for its scenic beaches like Haeundae and Gwangalli, its bustling traditional markets such as Jagalchi Fish Market, and iconic cultural events including the Busan International Film Festival, first held in 1996. The city offers a compelling blend of urban energy, coastal relaxation, and rich culinary scenes, from fresh seafood to street food in districts like Nampo-dong, making it an essential stop for travelers exploring South Korea.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard Romanized spelling is "Busan," following the Revised Romanization of Korean system adopted by South Korea in 2000. Prior to this, the McCune-Reischauer system rendered it as "Pusan," a spelling still occasionally encountered in historical contexts or older establishments. Common typos and misspellings arise from phonetic interpretations and keyboard errors, such as "Busan" (substituting 's' for 's'), "Busan" (incorrect vowel), or "Busan" (omission of the second 's'). It is also sometimes mistakenly written as "Busan City," which is redundant as "si" (시) in Korean already means city. Travelers should note that while "Pusan" may appear on some legacy maps or in the names of older institutions like "Pusan National University," the contemporary and officially correct spelling for the city is unequivocally "Busan."

Example Sentences

Many visitors flock to Busan every summer to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Haeundae Beach and its annual sand festival.

The Busan International Film Festival, held every autumn, has grown into one of Asia's most significant cinematic events since its inception.

As South Korea's primary port, Busan handles a substantial percentage of the country's container throughput and maritime logistics.

We sampled the freshest possible seafood at Jagalchi Market, a iconic landmark that operates right on the water's edge.

For a panoramic view of the city's spectacular coastline and the iconic Gwangan Bridge, a hike up to the observation deck at Busan's Taejongdae Resort Park is highly recommended.

The city's unique geography means you can enjoy a morning hike in the hills of Geumjeongsan and an afternoon relaxing on the sand at Gwangalli Beach.

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