종교
jonggyo[t͡ɕo̞ŋɡjo]
The English word 'religion' is translated into Korean as 종교 (jonggyo).
종교 refers to a system of beliefs dealing with soul, deity and/or life after death. You can turn the noun into the adjective 'religious' by adding the suffix –적 to the word, creating 종교적.
Meaning: system of beliefs dealing with soul, deity and/or life after death (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone 'has a religion' or 'is religious', you use the phrase 종교가 있다 (literally: religion exists [in them]). To say someone 'has no religion' or is 'non-religious', you use the phrase 종교가 없다 (literally: religion does not exist [in them]).
How do you pronounce it?
jonggyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is common for people who identify as 종교가 없다 to still participate in ancestral rites, which are spiritual practices not tied to a formal religion.
- Korean has a specific distinction between 종교 (formal religion) and 신앙 (personal faith), where the latter describes a deeply felt individual belief rather than a system.
- The word 종교 is composed of two characters that literally mean 'ancestral teaching' or 'foundational teaching'.
Examples in context
- 종교와 철학의 차이점은 무엇입니까?What's the difference between religion and philosophy?This example is useful for asking about the difference between religion and philosophy using 종교.Tatoeba #6829690 by yesjustryan, translation #2921288 by AlanF_US
- 그녀는 이슬람교가 나쁜 종교라고 말한다.She says Islam is a bad religion.This example shows how to describe a specific belief system as a religion using 종교.Tatoeba #10576612 by ssuss32, translation #8249532 by Amastan
- 제1 추가 헌법은 종교·연설·언론·집회 및 청원의 자유를 보장한다.The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.This example uses 종교 in the context of constitutional freedoms.
- 종교는 사회에서 중요한 역할을 합니다.Religion plays a significant role in society.
- 많은 학문적 기관들은 세계의 다양한 종교들을 연구합니다.Many academic institutions study various religions around the world.
- 너는 무슨 종교를 믿니?What is your religion?
- 나는 특정 종교는 가지지 않았고 영적인 것을 믿습니다.I don't have a specific religion, I believe in spirituality.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their backgrounds during a walk.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨는 종교가 있어요?Jieun ssineun jonggyoga isseoyo?Jieun, do you have a religion?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니요, 저는 종교 없어요.Aniyo, jeoneun jonggyo eopseoyo.No, I don't have a religion.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그렇군요. 저는 기독교예요.Geureokunyo. Jeoneun gidokgyoyeyo.I see. I am a Christian.
- 지은 Ji-eun아, 그렇군요. 몰랐어요.A, geureokunyo. Mollasseoyo.Oh, I see. I didn't know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “religion” translations and entries 종교, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 종교, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
