Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 천국 | cheon'guk | [t͡ɕʰʌ̹nɡuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 하늘 | haneul | [ha̠nɯɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 하늘나라 | haneullara | [ha̠nɯɭɭa̠ɾa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 천당 | cheondang | [t͡ɕʰʌ̹nda̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 낙원 | nagwon | [na̠ɡwʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 락원 | ragwon | North Korea |
The terms for heaven in Korean vary based on whether you are referring to a spiritual afterlife, a poetic concept of the sky or a place of perfect happiness.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 하늘 literally means 'sky', but it is often used to refer to heaven in a poetic or spiritual sense.
Which one should you use?
천국 is the most common term used to describe the Christian concept of heaven or a blissful afterlife. In contrast, 낙원 refers specifically to a 'paradise' or an earthly paradise, emphasizing a place of perfect happiness rather than just a spiritual afterlife. 하늘 is used more poetically to mean the sky or a spiritual heaven, while 하늘나라 and 천당 are also forms used to describe the heavenly realm.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the spelling 락원 is used instead of the South Korean standard 낙원.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express movement 'to heaven', the particle 에 is added to 천국 to form 천국에.
How do you pronounce it?
cheon'guk
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 모두 천국에 가고 싶어 하나, 누구도 죽고 싶어 하지 않는다.Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.This sentence illustrates the desire to go to 천국.Tatoeba #6305196 by Queserasera, translation #3501319 by CK
- 천국과 지옥을 선택하는 것이 그렇게 어렵나요?Is it so difficult to choose between heaven and hell?This sentence shows how to use 천국 when contrasting heaven and hell.Tatoeba #2941400 by hansroh, translation #2788047 by robbieheslop
- 하늘이 무섭지 않은가?Do you not fear heaven?This sentence uses 하늘 to refer to heaven in a spiritual sense.
- 천국은 아름다운 곳입니다.Heaven is a beautiful place.
- 저는 천국에 가고 싶습니다.I want to go to heaven.
- 천국으로 올라갈 수 있을까요?Can I go to heaven?
- 낙원은 정말 아름다운 곳이야!Heaven is a really beautiful place!
- 나도 언젠가는 낙원에 가고 싶어.I also want to go to heaven someday.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are talking about a beautiful garden.
- 지은 Ji-eun여기 정말 천국 같아요.yeogi jeongmal cheonguk gat-ayo.It feels like heaven here.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 정말 아름다워요.maj-ayo, jeongmal areumdawoyo.You're right, it's truly beautiful.
- 지은 Ji-eun천국이 있다면 이런 모습일까요?cheongugi itdamyeon ireon moseup-ilkayo?If heaven exists, would it look like this?
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럴 것 같아요, 지은 씨.geureol geot gat-ayo, Ji-eun ssi.I think so, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heaven” translations and entries 천국, 하늘, 하늘나라, 천당, 낙원, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 천국, 천당, 하늘, 하늘나라, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
