영혼
yeonghon[jʌ̹ŋβo̞n]
The English word 'soul' is translated into Korean as 영혼 (yeonghon). Wiktionary also lists 혼백 (honbaek) and 넋 (neok).
Meaning: the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 영혼 | yeonghon | [jʌ̹ŋβo̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 혼백 | honbaek | [ɸʷo̞nbɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ɸʷo̞nbe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 넋 | neok | /nʌ̹ks͈/ | |
| 얼 | eol | [ɘ(ː)ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 령혼 | ryeonghon | North Korea |
The term refers to the spirit or essence of a person, often believed to live on after death. While 영혼 is the standard term, other words like 얼 are used metaphorically to describe the spirit of a nation or a culture.
Which one should you use?
영혼 is the standard term for a spiritual soul. In contrast, 얼 is used more metaphorically to refer to the 'soul' or 'spirit' of a nation, a people or a culture.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
혼 is a common formal word for soul. 넋 is a more poetic or literary way to refer to a soul or a person's spirit, often used in the context of a soul leaving the body.
Is it said differently in some regions?
령혼 is the North Korean orthography for the word meaning soul.
How do you pronounce it?
yeonghon
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean shamanism, a ritual called 넋건지기 is performed to 'fish out' the 넋 of a drowned person from the water so they can move to the afterlife.
- The word 혼백 reflects an ancient belief that the human soul is split into two parts: the 혼 which ascends to heaven and the 백 which descends into the earth.
- While 영혼 is the standard term for soul, the word 얼 is often used to describe a state of being 'out of it' or dazed, as in 얼이 빠지다.
Examples in context
- 만족스러운 삶의 영위는 간단한 질문에서부터 시작돼. 밤에 불을 끄고 베개에 머리를 베면, 무엇이 들리니? 네 영혼이 노래하는 소리, 아니면 악령이 웃는 소리?Leading a fulfilling life really comes down to a simple question: When you turn off the lights at night and your head is on the pillow, what do you hear? Your soul singing or Satan laughing?This sentence uses 영혼 to illustrate a contrast between the soul singing and an evil spirit laughing.Tatoeba #8376451 by Eunhee, translation #504793 by saeb
- 말은 겨레의 얼이다.Language is the soul of a nation.This sentence uses 얼 to describe the spirit of a nation.
- 그 작곡가의 음악은 마음에 감동을 줍니다.The composer's music touches my soul.
- 이 영화는 내 영혼을 진정으로 흔들어 놓았어.This movie really shook my soul.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are discussing a ghost movie.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 영화는 영혼에 대한 이야기야.i yeonghwa-neun yeonghon-e daehan iyagi-ya.This movie is a story about souls.
- 수빈 Su-bin진짜 영혼이 존재한다고 생각해?jinjja yeonghon-i jonjaehandago saenggak-hae?Do you really think souls exist?
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 죽은 뒤에도 영혼은 남을 거야.eung, jugeun dwi-edo yeonghon-eun nameul geoya.Yes, the soul will remain even after death.
- 수빈 Su-bin생각만 해도 조금 무섭다.saenggak-man haedo jogeum museopda.It's a bit scary just thinking about it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soul” translations and entries 영혼, 혼백, 넋, 얼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
