Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 죽음 | jugeum | [t͡ɕuɡɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 사망 | samang | [ˈsʰa̠(ː)ma̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 'death' refers to the cessation of life. While 죽음 is the general way to refer to the concept of death, the term 사망 is used in more specific, professional contexts such as news reports, medical records or legal documents.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 죽음 is formed by taking the verb stem 죽 (to die) and adding the nominalizing suffix -음, which turns the verb into a noun.
Which one should you use?
죽음 is a neutral noun used in literature, philosophy or everyday conversation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 죽음 is derived from the verb 죽다 (to die). The formal noun 사망 can be turned into the verb 사망하다 (to die/to pass away) by adding the suffix -하다.
How do you pronounce it?
jugeum
When do people say it?
When referring to the personification of death, such as the mythological figure who escorts the deceased to the afterlife, Koreans use the terms 사신 or 저승사자 (Grim Reaper/Messenger of the afterlife).
Did you know?
- The mythological figure 저승사자 is not just a silent reaper but is often conceptualized as a government official who arrives to process the soul's paperwork.
- In traditional Korean funerals, the presence of death is marked by a specific white hemp cloth worn by mourners, rather than the all-black attire common in the West.
- The phrase 죽을 것 같다 (meaning 'I feel like I'm dying') is used frequently in everyday Korean to describe extreme hunger, tiredness or even laughter.
Examples in context
- 전 대통령의 사망이 발표되었다.The former President's death was announced.This sentence shows how to use the formal term 사망 in a news-style announcement.Tatoeba #11054693 by Eunhee, translation #1334433 by marcelostockle
- 죽음과 세금만큼 확실한 것은 없어.Nothing is certain but death and taxes.This sentence uses the neutral term 죽음 in a common proverb.Tatoeba #8356268 by Eunhee, translation #3387152 by CK
- 삶과 죽음의 문제다.It is a matter of life or death.This sentence uses the neutral term 죽음 to describe the concept of life or death.Tatoeba #11106318 by intertime, translation #42063 by jakov
- 사망한 사람이 많았습니다.Many people have died.
- 전쟁으로 많은 사람들이 사망했습니다.Many people died due to the war.
- 그 영화의 주인공은 죽음을 맞이했습니다.The protagonist of that movie faced death.
- 노인들은 평화롭게 오래 살다가 죽는 게 가장 원하는 일입니다.Old people wish to live peacefully and then die.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are watching a tragic historical drama together.
- 민준 Min-jun그 주인공의 죽음이 너무 슬퍼요.geu ju-in-gong-ui juk-eum-i neo-mu seul-peo-yo.The death of that protagonist is so sad.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 정말 비극적인 이야기예요.ma-ja-yo, jeong-mal bi-geuk-jeok-in i-ya-gi-ye-yo.True, it is a very tragic story.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨는 이런 영화를 좋아해요?su-bin ssi-neun i-reon yeong-hwa-reul jo-a-hae-yo?Subin, do you like these kinds of movies?
- 수빈 Su-bin슬프지만 깊은 울림이 있어요.seul-peu-ji-man gi-peun ul-lim-i is-seo-yo.They are sad, but they leave a deep impression.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “death” translations and entries 죽음, 사망, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
