존재
jonjae[t͡ɕo̞ɲd͡ʑɛ]
Existence in Korean is expressed as 존재 (jonjae). Wiktionary also lists 실존 (siljon) and 실재 (siljae).
Meaning: state of being, existing, or occurring (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 존재 | jonjae | [t͡ɕo̞ɲd͡ʑɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕo̞ɲd͡ʑe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 실존 | siljon | [ɕʰiʎt͡ɕ͈o̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 실재 | siljae | [ɕʰiʎd͡ʑɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ɕʰiʎd͡ʑe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to the state of being, existing or occurring. It is a broad term that can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts.
Which one should you use?
존재 is the most general term for 'existence' and covers both physical and abstract entities. In contrast, 실존 is used specifically in philosophical contexts to refer to existence as a lived, individual reality, such as in Existentialism. Finally, 실재 is used to emphasize that something actually exists in the physical or objective world, distinguishing it from an illusion or a mere concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'existence' as a verb (to exist), you can add the suffix –하다 to the noun to form the verb 존재하다.
How do you pronounce it?
jonjae
Did you know?
- The word 존재 is composed of two different Chinese characters that both independently mean 'to exist'. This makes the word a linguistic reinforcement, essentially saying 'existence existence'.
- While 존재하다 means 'to exist', Koreans often use the phrase 있다 in daily conversation to express existence, as 존재하다 can sound overly academic or dramatic in a casual setting.
- In Korean, the nuance between 실존 and 실재 is so sharp that using the wrong one in a debate about a ghost could change the meaning from 'it is a physical entity' to 'it has a conscious lived experience'.
Examples in context
- 나는 신의 존재를 믿지 않는다.I do not believe in the existence of God.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of belief in the existence of God using 존재.Tatoeba #978625 by Sudajaengi, translation #258847 by CC
- 존재는 어떤 무게도 갖지 않는다.Existence has no weight.
- 우리는 존재의 이유를 알고 싶어해요.We want to know the reason for our existence.
- 신은 존재와 실존 사이의 차이를 통해서 이해된다.God is understood through the difference between existence and actual existence.
- 실존은 어떠한 의미를 가지는가?What meaning does actual existence have?
- 이 세상에 눈에 보이지 않는 것들도 있는 거 같아.I think there are things in this world that are invisible to the eye.
- 우리의 사랑은 영원히 존재할 거야.Our love will exist forever.
- 그의 존재가 느껴져요.geuui jonjaega neukkyeojyeoyo.I can feel his existence.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a mysterious person in their neighborhood.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그 사람의 존재를 알고 있어요?geu sarameui jonjaereul algo isseoyo?Do you know of that person's existence?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 처음 듣는 이야기예요.aniyo, cheoeum deunneun iyagiyeoyo.No, that's the first I've heard.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 이상한 사람이 있는 것 같아요.jeongmal isanghan sarami inneun geot gatayo.I think there is a very strange person.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 너무 상상력이 풍부하시네요.Dohyeon ssi, neomu sangsangnyeogi pungbuhasineyo.Dohyeon, you have such a vivid imagination.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “existence” translations and entries 존재, 실존, 실재, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 실재, 실존, 존재, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
