명상
myeongsang[ˈmjɘ(ː)ŋsʰa̠ŋ]
The Korean word for meditation is 명상 (myeongsang).
명상 refers to the practice of devotional contemplation.
Meaning: devotional contemplation (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
myeongsang
Did you know?
- The character 瞑 in 명상 originally meant to close one's eyes or to be blind, suggesting that true meditation is an inward-looking process that shuts out the visual world.
- Many Koreans practice 명상 through 'forest bathing' or 산림욕, treating the act of walking in nature as a form of moving meditation.
- In Korean literature, 명상 can sometimes describe a melancholic daydreaming state rather than a formal spiritual practice.
Examples in context
- 매일 아침 명상을 해요.Maeil achim myeongsangeul haeyo.I do meditation every morning.
- 명상은 마음을 편하게 해줘요.Myeongsangeun maeumeul pyeonhage haejwoyo.Meditation makes the mind peaceful.
- 저는 명상을 아주 좋아해요.Jeoneun myeongsangeul aju joahae-yo.I really like meditation.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about their morning routines.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨는 아침에 뭐 해요?Hyunwoo-ssineun achime mwo haeyo?Hyunwoo, what do you do in the morning?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 십 분 동안 명상을 해요.Jeoneun sip bun dongan myeongsangeul haeyo.I do meditation for ten minutes.
- 수빈 Su-bin와, 정말 멋진 습관이네요.Wa, jeongmal meotjin seubgan-ineyo.Wow, that is a really wonderful habit.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 마음이 아주 차분해져요.Ne, maeumi aju chabunhaejyeoyo.Yes, it makes my mind very calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meditation” translations and entries 명상, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 명상, CC BY-SA 4.0.
