화가
hwaga[ˈɸwa̠(ː)ɡa̠]
The English word 'painter' is translated into Korean as 화가 (hwaga).
The term 화가 refers to an artist or painter. If you want to refer to the concept of art itself, you can use 미술 or if you are referring to a specific painting, you use 그림.
Meaning: artist (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 화가 is the standard noun for a painter, you can also use the descriptive phrase 그림 그리는 사람 to mean 'a person who draws/paints'. For a more casual or colloquial tone, you might use 그림꾼 to describe someone who makes drawings.
How do you pronounce it?
hwaga
Did you know?
- The word 가 (家) in 화가 originally meant 'house' or 'family', but in this context, it denotes a person who has mastered a specific field of study or art.
- When talking about a painter's style, Koreans often use the word 필력, which literally refers to the 'power of the brush'.
- In traditional Korean society, the term 화원 was used for court painters who worked for the royal palace, distinguishing them from independent 화가.
Examples in context
- 화가는 그림을 그립니다The painter draws/paints pictures.
- 그는 유명한 화가예요.geuneun yumyeonghan hwagayeyo.He is a famous painter.
- 제 꿈은 화가예요.je kkumeun hwagayeyo.My dream is to be a painter.
- 그 화가는 그림을 잘 그려요.geu hwaganeun geurimeul jal geuryeoyo.That painter draws well.
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyunwoo are visiting an art gallery.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 이 그림 정말 멋지네요.Hyeon-u ssi, i geurim jeongmal meotjineyo.Hyunwoo, this painting is really cool.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo어떤 화가가 그린 작품일까요?eotteon hwagaga geurin jakpumilkkayo?I wonder which painter painted this piece?
- 지은 Ji-eun여기 설명에 화가 이름이 있어요.yeogi seolmyeong-e hwaga ireumi isseoyo.The painter's name is here in the description.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 정말 유명한 화가군요!a, jeongmal yumyeonghan hwagagunyo!Oh, they are a very famous painter!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “painter” translations and entries 화가, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 화가, CC BY-SA 4.0.
