궁전
gungjeon[kuŋd͡ʑʌ̹n]
The English word 'palace' translates to Korean as 궁전 (gungjeon). Wiktionary also lists 궁 (gung) and 궁궐 (gunggwol).
Meaning: large, lavish residence (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 궁전 | gungjeon | [kuŋd͡ʑʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 궁 | gung | |
| 궁궐 | gunggwol | [kuŋɡwʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Korean uses different terms for 'palace' depending on whether you are referring to a general lavish residence, a historical architectural complex or the royal court itself. 궁전 is the standard and versatile term for a large, lavish residence in modern Korean. The term 궁중 is used specifically to refer to the royal court or the palace grounds.
Which one should you use?
궁전 is the most standard and versatile term for a palace in modern Korean. In contrast, 궁 is a more formal, literary or archaic single-syllable way to refer to a palace. If you are specifically discussing the traditional architectural complex of a royal palace in a historical context, 궁궐 is the preferred term.
How do you pronounce it?
gungjeon
Did you know?
- The word 궁 is a homonym in Korean. Depending on the context, it can mean 'palace', 'bow' as in archery or 'impoverished'.
- Korean palaces often use a system of 'dancheong', the intricate, colorful painting on wooden eaves. These patterns are not just decorative but were traditionally meant to protect the wood from insects and rot.
- In the Joseon Dynasty, the royal palaces were designed based on 'pungsu' or feng shui. This meant the placement of the 궁궐 was decided by the flow of energy in the land and mountains.
Examples in context
- 그 궁전은 정말 아름다워요.geu gungjeoneun jeongmal areumdawoyo.That palace is truly beautiful.
- 옛날에는 아주 큰 궁전이 있었어요.yennareneun aju keun gungjeoni isseosseoyo.There used to be a very large palace in the old days.
- 우리는 궁전 내부를 구경했어요.urineun gungjeon naebureul gugyeonghaesseoyo.We looked around the inside of the palace.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are looking at a photo of a luxury hotel.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 이 호텔 좀 보세요.Minji ssi, i hotel jom boseyo.Minji, look at this hotel.
- 민지 Min-ji와, 정말 궁전처럼 생겼네요!wa, jeongmal gungjeoncheoreom saenggyeotneyo!Wow, it really looks like a palace!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그렇죠? 정말 화려한 곳이에요.geureochyo? jeongmal hwaryeohan gosieyo.Right? It's a truly lavish place.
- 민지 Min-ji언젠가 꼭 가보고 싶어요.eonjenga kkok gabogo sipeoyo.I definitely want to go there someday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “palace” translations and entries 궁전, 궁, 궁궐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 궁, 궁궐, 궁전, CC BY-SA 4.0.
