Religion & Culture in Korean
50 essential words with English translations and example sentences.
종교
jonggyo
Religion
What are the main religions in Korea?
불교
bulgyo
Buddhism
Buddhism is an ancient religion in Korea.
기독교
gidoggyo
Christianity
He believes in Christianity.
천주교
cheonjugyo
Catholicism
I went to the Catholic church.
신
sin
God
Do you believe in God?
절
jeol
Temple (Buddhist)
I went to the temple on the weekend.
교회
gyohoe
Church
I go to church every Sunday.
신자
sinja
Believer / Faithful
He is a devout believer.
기도
gido
Prayer
I say my prayers in the morning.
성경
seongggyeong
Bible
I am reading the Bible.
예수
yesu
Jesus
I follow Jesus.
부처
bucheo
Buddha
Buddha attained enlightenment.
명절
myeongjeol
Holiday / Public holiday
Chuseok is an important holiday in Korea.
설날
seolnal
Lunar New Year's Day
I see my family on Lunar New Year.
추석
chuseok
Chuseok (harvest festival)
We eat songpyeon on Chuseok.
문화
munhwa
Culture
I am interested in Korean culture.
전통
jeontong
Tradition
This is an old tradition.
풍습
pungsseup
Custom / Practice
There are many Korean customs.
민속
minsok
Folklore
I went to the folk museum.
예술
yesul
Art
Korean art is beautiful.
음악
eumak
Music
I like Korean music.
춤
chum
Dance
I want to learn traditional dance.
한복
hanbok
Traditional Korean dress
I wear a hanbok on Lunar New Year.
갓
gat
Gat (traditional hat)
The gat is a traditional hat for men.
서예
seoyye
Calligraphy
I am learning calligraphy.
도자기
dojagi
Ceramics / Pottery
Korean ceramics are famous.
청자
cheongja
Celadon (blue-green porcelain)
Celadon is an art of the Goryeo period.
백자
baekja
White porcelain
The white porcelain bowl is beautiful.
태권도
taekwondo
Taekwondo
I am learning taekwondo.
무술
musuL
Martial arts
Korean martial arts are famous.
판소리
pansori
Pansori (narrative art)
Pansori is a traditional Korean art.
사물놀이
samuL nori
Samulnori (traditional percussion music)
I watched a samulnori performance.
한글
hangeul
Hangeul (Korean alphabet)
Hangeul is the Korean writing system.
한자
hanja
Chinese characters
I am studying Chinese characters.
속담
sokdam
Saying / Proverb
There are many Korean proverbs.
전설
jeonseol
Legend
This is an old legend.
신화
sinhwa
Myth
Korean mythology is interesting.
문학
munhak
Literature
I want to read Korean literature.
시
si
Poetry
I write Korean poetry.
소설
soseol
Novel
I read a Korean novel.
영화
yeonghwa
Movie / Film
Korean movies are popular.
드라마
deurama
TV series
I watch Korean dramas.
K팝
K-pop
K-pop
I like K-pop singers.
박물관
bangmulgwan
Museum
I learn about culture at the museum.
유산
yusan
Heritage / Legacy
This is a precious Korean heritage.
세계유산
segyeyusan
World Heritage
Korea has many World Heritage sites.
궁궐
gunggwol
Royal palace
Gyeongbokgung is a famous palace.
탑
tap
Pagoda / Tower
The octagonal pagoda is beautiful.
절기
jeolgi
Seasonal period
Food varies according to the season.
의례
uirye
Ritual / Ceremony
We observe traditional rituals.
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