행복
haengbok[ˈhɛ(ː)ŋbo̞k̚]
The English word 'happiness' can be translated into Korean in several ways, most commonly as 행복 (haengbok). If unsure, use 행복. Wiktionary also lists 기쁨 (gippeum) and 즐거움 (jeulgeoum).
Meaning: emotion of being happy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 행복 | haengbok | [ˈhɛ(ː)ŋbo̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈhe̞(ː)ŋbo̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 기쁨 | gippeum | [kip͈ɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 즐거움 | jeulgeoum | [t͡ɕɯɭɡʌ̹um] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 희열 | huiyeol | [çijʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the word you choose for 'happiness' depends on whether you are describing a deep, long-term state of being or a fleeting emotional reaction.
Which one should you use?
행복 is the most common and standard term, referring to a long-term state of well-being or life satisfaction. In contrast, 기쁨 refers to a momentary burst of joy or delight and is used for immediate emotional reactions to pleasant events. 즐거움 focuses specifically on the pleasure or fun derived from an activity or experience. Finally, 희열 describes an intense, overwhelming sense of joy or triumph, which is much stronger than standard happiness.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 행복 into the adverb 'happily', you use the form 행복하게.
How do you pronounce it?
haengbok
Did you know?
- While 행복 is the standard word for 'happiness', Koreans often use the word 소확행, which means 'small but certain happiness'. This modern trend emphasizes finding joy in tiny daily rituals rather than grand life achievements.
- In traditional Korean literature, the concept of happiness was often tied to 안빈낙도, the idea of being happy in a simple life of poverty while remaining devoted to one's principles.
- Because 행복 is a Sino-Korean word, it shares the same root characters as the word for 'happiness' in Chinese and Japanese. This makes the core concept of 'blessing' a shared linguistic thread across East Asia.
Examples in context
- 행복을 빈다.I wish you happiness.This sentence shows how to use 행복 to express a wish for someone's happiness.Tatoeba #11106809 by intertime, translation #2044465 by CK
- 톰, 당신에게 행복이란 무엇입니까?What is happiness to you, Tom?This sentence uses 행복 to ask a philosophical question about the nature of happiness.Tatoeba #4910904 by minmin123, translation #11489685 by camouat
- 기쁨은 나누면 배가 되고 슬픔은 나누면 반이 된다.Happiness shared returns many-fold, sadness shared comes back halved.This sentence uses 기쁨 to illustrate a proverb about sharing joy.Tatoeba #2655646 by KoreanBeaver, translation #3657698 by rbbrbb
- 나는 행복해요.I am happy.
- 오늘은 행복해!Today, I am happy!
- 와! 기뻐!Wow! I'm happy!
- 나는 항상 행복해요.I am always happy.
- 그 영화는 나를 행복하게 했어요.That movie made me happy.
- 너와 함께 시간을 보내면 항상 기뻐.I'm always happy when I spend time with you.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their goals in life.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨는 인생에서 가장 중요한 게 뭐라고 생각해요?Ji-hun ssi-neun in-saeng-e-seo ga-jang jung-yo-han ge mwo-ra-go saeng-gak-hae-yo?Ji-hun, what do you think is the most important thing in life?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저는 역시 행복이 제일 중요하다고 생각해요.Jeo-neun yeok-si haeng-bok-i je-il jung-yo-ha-da-go saeng-gak-hae-yo.I think happiness is the most important thing after all.
- 지은 Ji-eun저도 동감이에요. 마음의 평화가 곧 행복이죠.Jeo-do dong-gam-i-e-yo. ma-eum-ui pyeong-hwa-ga got haeng-bok-i-jyo.I agree. Peace of mind is essentially happiness.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요. 소소한 일상에서 행복을 찾고 싶어요.Ma-ja-yo. so-so-han il-sang-e-seo haeng-bok-eul chat-go sip-eo-yo.That's right. I want to find happiness in the small things of daily life.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happiness” translations and entries 행복, 기쁨, 즐거움, 희열, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
