악마
angma[a̠ŋma̠]
The English word 'devil' can be translated into Korean as 악마 (angma) or 악귀.
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 악마 | angma | [a̠ŋma̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 악귀 | akgwi | [a̠k̚k͈ɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [a̠k̚k͈y] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
악마 is the standard term used when referring to the theological concept of the Devil or a personified evil entity in fiction. It is also used to refer to the chief devil by name.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 악마 is composed of the characters for 'evil' (악) and 'demon' (마).
Which one should you use?
While 악마 refers to a personified devil or demon, 악귀 specifically refers to an evil spirit or a malevolent ghost.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
angma
Did you know?
- The character 魔 used in 악마 can also represent the concept of 'obsession' or 'delusion' in Buddhist philosophy, suggesting that a devil is something inside the mind.
- While 악마 is often used for Western-style devils in movies, a traditional Korean way to describe a malevolent, shapeshifting entity is to use the word 도깨비, which is often more of a trickster than a pure evil devil.
- In Korean Buddhist contexts, the concept of a 'devil' may be referred to as 마라, derived from the Sanskrit word 'Mara'.
Examples in context
- 그는 악마처럼 굵은 목소리로 대화했다.He spoke with a voice as deep as a devil's.
- 그 영화에서 악마들의 전쟁이 벌어졌다.The movie depicted a war between devils.
- 악마를 물리치는 용사가 필요해요.akmareul mullichineun yongsaga piryohaeyo.We need a hero to defeat the devil.
- 악마가 나타날 것 같아요.akmaga natanal geot gatayo.It feels like a devil will appear.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are talking about a fantasy novel.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 소설 속 악마가 정말 강해요.i soseol sok akmaga jeongmal ganghaeyo.The devil in this novel is really strong.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 주인공이 이길 수 있을까요?Jihoon ssi, juingongi igil su isseulkkayo?Jihoon, do you think the protagonist can win?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 용기가 있으면 이길 거예요.ne, yonggiga isseumyeon igil geoyeyo.Yes, if he has courage, he will win.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 흥미진진한 이야기네요!jeongmal heungmijinjihan iyagineyo!That is a really exciting story!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries 악마, 악귀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
