저승사자
jeoseungsaja[t͡ɕʌ̹sʰɯŋsʰa̠d͡ʑa̠]
The English phrase 'grim reaper' can be translated into Korean as 저승사자 (jeoseungsaja). If unsure, use 저승사자. Wiktionary also lists 사신 (sasin).
Meaning: personification of Death (name)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 저승사자 | jeoseungsaja | [t͡ɕʌ̹sʰɯŋsʰa̠d͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 사신 | sasin | [ˈsʰa̠(ː)ɕʰin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The term 사신 is a concise way to say 'death god', composed of 사 (death) and 신 (god).
Which one should you use?
저승사자 is the more common, culturally specific term used in folklore and storytelling, meaning 'messenger of the afterlife'. In contrast, 사신 is a more direct, literal term for a 'death god'.
How do you pronounce it?
jeoseungsaja
When do people say it?
Note that the component 사자 can also mean 'lion' in Korean.
Did you know?
- In some Korean beliefs, a 저승사자 can be bribed with food or money left by the family to allow the deceased a little more time or a gentler transition.
- In many traditional Korean folk tales, the 저승사자 is not a personified deity but a civil servant of the underworld, tasked with strictly following administrative orders to collect souls.
- In traditional Korean folklore, the 저승사자 is often depicted wearing a black gat, a traditional wide-brimmed hat, and black robes rather than a hooded cloak.
Examples in context
- 그 영화에서 저승사자가 아주 무섭게 나왔어.geu yeonghwageseo jeoseungsajaga aju museopge nawasseo.The grim reaper appeared very scary in that movie.
- 저승사자는 검은 옷을 입고 나타난다고 해.jeoseungsajaneun geomeun oseul ipgo natanandago hae.They say the grim reaper appears wearing black clothes.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are discussing a horror movie.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 이 영화에 저승사자가 나오나요?Seoyeon ssi, i yeonghwa-e jeoseungsajaga naonayo?Seoyeon, does the grim reaper appear in this movie?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 아주 무섭게 생겼어요.ne, aju museopge saenggyeosseoyo.Yes, he looks very scary.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 저승사자가 나오는 장면이 제일 무서워요.jeoneun jeoseungsajaga naoneun jangmyeoni jeil museowoyo.I find the scenes with the grim reaper the scariest.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 정말 소름 돋았어요.majayo, jeongmal soreum dodasseoyo.True, it really gave me goosebumps.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grim reaper” translations and entries 저승사자, 사신, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
