재즈
jaejeu[t͡ɕ͈ɛd͡ʑɯ]
The English word "jazz" is 재즈 (jaejeu) in Korean.
재즈 is a noun used to refer to the musical art form of jazz. You can combine it with other nouns to create specific phrases, such as 재즈 클럽 (jazz club), 재즈 음악 (jazz music), 재즈 피아노 (jazz piano), 재즈 트럼펫 (jazz trumpet) or 재즈 연주 (jazz performance).
Meaning: musical art form (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
jaejeu
Did you know?
- Korea has a distinct 'K-Jazz' scene that often blends 재즈 with traditional Korean instruments like the 가야금 (gayageum).
- The term 재즈 is often associated in Korean pop culture with 'sophistication' and 'urbanity', leading to its frequent use in atmospheric marketing for cafes and hotels.
- The Korean word for 'improvisation', which is central to 재즈, is 즉흥 연주, literally meaning 'immediate-impulse performance'.
Examples in context
- 재즈에 대해 얘기해볼까요?Shall we talk about jazz?
- 내가 가장 좋아하는 재즈 음악인은 마일스 데이비스야.My favorite jazz musician is Miles Davis.
- 오늘 밤에 친구들과 재즈 공연을 관람할 거야.I'm going to a jazz concert with my friends tonight.
- 저는 재즈를 정말 좋아해요.jeoneun jaejeureul jeongmal joahaeyo.I really like jazz.
- 이 카페는 재즈가 나와요.i kaepe-neun jaejeuga nawayo.Jazz is playing in this cafe.
- 어젯밤에 재즈 공연을 봤어요.eojetbam-e jaejeu gong-yeoneul bwasseoyo.I watched a jazz performance last night.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about music in a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 재즈 좋아해요?Jihun ssi, jaejeu joahaeyo?Jihun, do you like jazz?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 저는 재즈를 즐겨 들어요.Ne, jeoneun jaejeureul jeulgyeodeureoyo.Yes, I enjoy listening to jazz.
- 지은 Ji-eun여기 나오는 재즈가 참 좋네요.Yeogi naoneun jaejeuga cham jonneyo.The jazz playing here is really nice.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요, 분위기가 정말 좋아요.Majayo, bunwigiga jeongmal joayo.Right, the atmosphere is really good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jazz” translations and entries 재즈, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
