목적지 vs 경유지: Where to Get Off?

목적지 (mok-jeok-ji, mokjeokji) · 경유지 (gyeong-yu-ji, gyeongyuji)

목적지 is the final destination, while 경유지 is a stopover or intermediate point along the way.

Comparison of Korean words 목적지 (final destination) and 경유지 (stopover)

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

목적지(mok-jeok-ji, mokjeokji)

The final place intended to arrive at during travel or movement

When to use

final destination, last stop in travel plan, delivery address

The nuance

Use 목적지 to refer to the endpoint or the final place where one intends to arrive.

경유지(gyeong-yu-ji, gyeongyuji)

An intermediate stop or point passed through during travel or movement

When to use

flight layover, bus intermediate stop, temporary stop during trip

The nuance

Use 경유지 to indicate a stopover or intermediate point passed through en route to the 목적지.

Real-world examples

  • 우리의 목적지는 서울역이다.

    u-ri-ui mok-jeok-ji-neun seo-ul-yeok-i-da., u ri ui mok jeok ji neun seo ul yeok i da.

    Seoul Station is the final destination, so 목적지 is correct.

  • 비행기는 인천공항을 경유지로 한다.

    bi-haeng-gi-neun in-cheon-gong-hang-eul gyeong-yu-ji-ro han-da., bi haeng gi neun in cheon gong hang eul gyeong yu ji ro han da.

    Incheon Airport is not the final destination but a stopover, so 경유지 is appropriate.

  • 배송 주소를 경유지로 적으세요.

    bae-song ju-so-reul gyeong-yu-ji-ro jeok-eu-se-yo., bae song ju so reul gyeong yu ji ro jeok eu se yo.

    The delivery address is the final place, so 목적지 should be used.

  • 우리는 부산을 목적지로 경유할 예정이다.

    u-ri-neun bu-san-eul mok-jeok-ji-ro gyeong-yu-hal ye-jeong-i-da., u ri neun bu san eul mok jeok ji ro gyeong yu hal ye jeong i da.

    Busan is an intermediate stop, so 경유지 should be used, not 목적지.

  • 여행 계획에 경유지가 몇 군데 있다.

    yeo-haeng gye-hoek-e gyeong-yu-ji-ga myeoch gun-de iss-da., yeo haeng gye hoek e gyeong yu ji ga myeoch gun de iss da.

    Referring to multiple intermediate stops as 경유지 is correct.

  • 택배가 경유지에 도착했다.

    taek-bae-ga gyeong-yu-ji-e do-chak-haess-da., taek bae ga gyeong yu ji e do chak haess da.

    A stop before the final delivery point is called 경유지.

  • 목적지에서 잠시 경유할 예정이다.

    mok-jeok-ji-e-seo jam-si gyeong-yu-hal ye-jeong-i-da., mok jeok ji e seo jam si gyeong yu hal ye jeong i da.

    You cannot 'stopover' at the final destination; 경유지 is for intermediate stops.

  • 비행기 목적지는 도쿄다.

    bi-haeng-gi mok-jeok-ji-neun do-kyo-da., bi haeng gi mok jeok ji neun do kyo da.

    Tokyo is the final destination, so 목적지 is correct.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the intermediate airport where the plane stops briefly?

    비행기에서 잠시 머무르는 중간 공항은?(bi-haeng-gi-e-seojam-simeo-mu-reu-neunjung-gangong-hang-eun?, bihaenggieseojamsimeomureuneunjunggangonghangeun?)
  2. What is the final place you arrive at?

    최종적으로 도착하는 장소는?(choe-jong-jeok-eu-rodo-chak-ha-neunjang-so-neun?, choejongjeokeurodochakhaneunjangsoneun?)
  3. What do you call the address where a package will be delivered?

    택배가 배송될 주소를 뭐라고 하나?(taek-bae-gabae-song-doelju-so-reulmwo-ra-goha-na?, taekbaegabaesongdoeljusoreulmworagohana?)
  4. What is a place you stop briefly during a trip?

    여행 중 잠시 머무르는 장소는?(yeo-haengjungjam-simeo-mu-reu-neunjang-so-neun?, yeohaengjungjamsimeomureuneunjangsoneun?)

More comparisons to explore

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