역사
yeoksa[jʌ̹ks͈a̠]
The Korean word for history is 역사 (yeoksa).
역사 is a noun used to refer to the branch of knowledge that studies the past. If you wish to refer specifically to the academic discipline or the formal study of history, the term 역사학 is used instead.
Meaning: branch of knowledge that studies the past (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The first part, 역 (歷), means 'to pass through' or 'to experience' and the second part, 사 (史), means 'history' or 'chronicle'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 역사 into an adjective meaning 'historical', you can add the suffix -적 to create 역사적.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoksa
Did you know?
- In a very dark linguistic coincidence, the sound 역사 can also mean 'to be run over and die'. This occurs when using characters related to being struck by a vehicle or heavy object.
- Depending on the Hanja used, the phonetic sound 역사 can actually mean a 'strong man' or a 'weightlifter'.
- Because Korean uses many Sino-Korean homonyms, the word 역사 can also mean 'post station' or 'station house' depending on the Hanja used. A learner might accidentally discuss the history of a nation when they actually intended to talk about a traveling post house.
Examples in context
- 어떤 나라든 역사가 있다.Every country has its own history.This sentence shows how to say a country has its own 역사.Tatoeba #6304263 by Queserasera, translation #37520 by CK
- 역사에는 전혀 흥미가 없어.I'm really not interested in history.This sentence expresses a lack of interest in 역사.Tatoeba #13250550 by qiwiwi, translation #2539445 by CK
- 우리나라는 아름다운 역사를 지니고 있다.Our country has a rich history.This sentence describes a country possessing a beautiful 역사.Tatoeba #11104588 by intertime, translation #1789179 by Spamster
- 전 세계 역사를 공부하고 싶어요.I want to study world history.
- 지난 주말에 역사 박물관에 갔어. 정말 흥미로웠어!I went to the history museum last weekend. It was really interesting!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about their favorite subjects at school.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨는 학교에서 무슨 과목을 제일 좋아해요?Subin ssineun hakgyo-eseo museun gwamogeul jeil joahae-yo?Subin, what is your favorite subject at school?
- 수빈 Su-bin저는 옛날 이야기를 좋아해서 역사를 제일 좋아해요.Jeoneun yennal iyagireul joahae-seo yeoksareul jeil joahae-yo.I like old stories, so I like history the most.
- 민준 Min-jun정말요? 저는 역사가 조금 어렵더라고요.Jeongmallyo? Jeoneun yeoksaga jogeum eoryeop-deoragoyo.Really? I found history to be a bit difficult.
- 수빈 Su-bin제가 나중에 공부하는 것을 도와줄게요.Jega najunge gongbu-haneun geoseul dowajulge-yo.I will help you study later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 역사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 역사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
