주차 (ju-cha, jucha) · 정차 (jeong-cha, jeongcha)
주차 means parking a vehicle for a period of time, while 정차 means stopping briefly without parking.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The act of parking a vehicle for a period of time
When to use
Long-term stopping, No-parking zones, Using parking lots
The nuance
Use 주차 when a vehicle is stopped for a longer or defined period, usually in a designated parking area or roadside. Parking in no-parking zones is illegal.
The act of briefly stopping a vehicle, mainly for passenger drop-off or short waiting
When to use
Passenger pick-up/drop-off, Brief stop at traffic light, Quick delivery drop-off
The nuance
Use 정차 when a vehicle stops briefly, such as for passenger pick-up/drop-off or short waits like traffic signals. It does not mean long-term stopping like parking.
이곳은 주차 금지 구역입니다. ⭕
i-gos-eun ju-cha geum-ji gu-yeok-ip-ni-da. ⭕, i gos eun ju cha geum ji gu yeok ip ni da. ⭕
No parking zones prohibit long-term stopping (parking), so '주차' is correct.
이곳은 정차 금지 구역입니다. ⭕
i-gos-eun jeong-cha geum-ji gu-yeok-ip-ni-da. ⭕, i gos eun jeong cha geum ji gu yeok ip ni da. ⭕
If brief stops are prohibited, '정차' is correct.
택시가 승객을 태우려고 주차했다. ❌
taek-si-ga seung-gaek-eul tae-u-ryeo-go ju-cha-haess-da. ❌, taek si ga seung gaek eul tae u ryeo go ju cha haess da. ❌
For brief stops to pick up passengers, use '정차' not '주차'.
택시가 승객을 태우려고 정차했다. ⭕
taek-si-ga seung-gaek-eul tae-u-ryeo-go jeong-cha-haess-da. ⭕, taek si ga seung gaek eul tae u ryeo go jeong cha haess da. ⭕
Brief stopping for passenger pick-up/drop-off uses '정차'.
나는 차를 정차장에 세웠다. ❌
na-neun cha-reul jeong-cha-jang-e se-woss-da. ❌, na neun cha reul jeong cha jang e se woss da. ❌
There is no '정차장'; the correct term for parking area is '주차장'.
나는 차를 주차장에 세웠다. ⭕
na-neun cha-reul ju-cha-jang-e se-woss-da. ⭕, na neun cha reul ju cha jang e se woss da. ⭕
Use '주차장' to refer to parking lots.
버스가 잠깐 정차했다가 출발했다. ⭕
beo-seu-ga jam-kkan jeong-cha-haess-da-ga chul-bal-haess-da. ⭕, beo seu ga jam kkan jeong cha haess da ga chul bal haess da. ⭕
When a bus stops briefly and then leaves, '정차' is appropriate.
버스가 잠깐 주차했다가 출발했다. ❌
beo-seu-ga jam-kkan ju-cha-haess-da-ga chul-bal-haess-da. ❌, beo seu ga jam kkan ju cha haess da ga chul bal haess da. ❌
Brief stopping requires '정차'; '주차' implies long-term stopping.
Which word is appropriate for briefly stopping to pick up passengers?
What word describes long-term stopping of a vehicle?
Which word is used for briefly stopping at a traffic light?
