목사
moksa[mo̞ks͈a̠]
The English word 'pastor' is 목사 (moksa) in Korean.
The term 목사 refers to an ordained pastor of a Christian church. If you are referring specifically to a Catholic priest, the term 사제 is used instead.
Meaning: minister or priest (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 목사 is used for a Christian pastor, 부목사 refers specifically to an assistant pastor and 사제 refers to a Catholic priest.
How do you pronounce it?
moksa
Did you know?
- The characters in 목사 literally mean 'shepherd' and 'teacher'. This reflects the biblical imagery of a pastor as a shepherd leading a flock.
- In Korea, it is common to address a pastor as 목사님 by adding the honorific suffix 님. Addressing them simply as 목사 can sound blunt or disrespectful.
- Unlike in English, where 'minister' can be a government official, 목사 is used exclusively for religious leaders and never for political roles.
Examples in context
- 저희 교회 목사님은 매우 친절하시고 지혜로운 분이세요.Our church pastor is very kind and wise.
- 저희 담임목사님은 항상 우리를 도우시고 축복해주십니다.Our lead pastor always helps and blesses us.
- 우리 마을 목사님은 매우 친절해요.uri maeul moksa-nim-eun maeu chinjeol-haeyo.Our village pastor is very kind.
- 그 목사님은 설교를 정말 잘하세요.geu moksa-nim-eun seolgyo-reul jeongmal jal-haseyo.That pastor gives very good sermons.
- 새로 오신 목사님을 만났어요.saero osin moksa-nim-eul mannasseoyo.I met the new pastor.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are talking about a local church service.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 그 목사님 알고 있어요?hyeon-u ssi, geu moksa-nim algo isseoyo?Hyunwoo, do you know that pastor?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 저희 집 근처에 사시는 목사님이에요.ne, jeohui jip geuncheoe sasineun moksa-nim-ieyo.Yes, he is the pastor who lives near my house.
- 민지 Min-ji성품이 정말 좋으신 분 같아요.seongpumi jeongmal joeusin bun gatayo.He seems like a person with a great character.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요, 정말 인품이 훌륭하세요.majayo, jeongmal inpumi hullyunghaseyo.That's right, his character is truly excellent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pastor” translations and entries 목사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 목사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
