기적
gijeok[kid͡ʑʌ̹k̚]
The English word miracle is translated into Korean as 기적 (gijeok).
The term is used to describe a wonderful event that is attributed to supernatural powers.
Meaning: wonderful event attributed to supernatural powers (noun)
Which one should you use?
기적 refers specifically to a miracle, while the phrase 신기한 일 is used to describe an amazing event or something incredible.
How do you pronounce it?
gijeok
Did you know?
- In Korean, the exact same phonetic spelling and sound for 'miracle', 기적, is also used for the word 'steam whistle' or 'foghorn'.
- South Koreans often use the phrase 'the miracle of the Han River' (한강의 기적) to describe the country's rapid economic growth after the Korean War.
- The character 奇 in the Hanja for 'miracle' carries the sense of 'strange' or 'unusual', suggesting that a miracle is something fundamentally out of the ordinary.
Examples in context
- 이곳에서는 다양한 기적이 일어났다.Many miracles happened in this place.
- 어떻게 이 일이 일어났는지 신기한 일이야!It's incredible how this happened!
- 대단한 일이 일어났네!Something incredible happened!
- 진짜 기적이다!It's a real miracle!
- 신기한 일이야!That's incredible!
- 그것은 정말 기적이에요.geugeoseun jeongmal gijeogiyeyo.That is truly a miracle.
- 기적이 일어날 수 있을까요?gijeogi ireonal su isseulkkayo?Could a miracle happen?
- 그는 기적을 믿어요.geuneun gijeogeul mideoyo.He believes in miracles.
Example conversation
Jieun and Dohyun are talking about a patient who recovered unexpectedly.
- 지은 Ji-eun환자분이 갑자기 회복하셨대요.hwanjabuni gapjagi hoebokhasyeotdaeyo.I heard the patient suddenly recovered.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 기적이 일어났네요!jeongmal gijeogi ireonannyeyo!A miracle really happened!
- 지은 Ji-eun모두가 정말 놀랐어요.moduga jeongmal nollasseoyo.Everyone was very surprised.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 다행이에요, 지은 씨.jeongmal dahaengieyo, Jieun ssi.It's a huge relief, Jieun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “miracle” translations and entries 기적, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 기적, CC BY-SA 4.0.
