믿음
mideum[midɯm]
The English phrase 'faith' is translated into Korean as 믿음 (mideum).
믿음 refers to a belief or faith.
Meaning: religious belief system (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 믿음 is formed from the verb stem 믿다, which means 'to believe' and the nominalizing suffix -음, which turns a verb into a noun.
Which one should you use?
While 믿음 is a general word for belief or faith, 신앙 is a more specific term used almost exclusively for religious faith or religious devotion/creed.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 믿음 is the subject of a sentence, it takes the subject marker -이 (making it 믿음이). When it is the direct object of a sentence, it takes the object marker -을 (making it 믿음을). The related verb form is 믿다, which means 'to believe'.
How do you pronounce it?
mideum
Did you know?
- While 믿음 can mean 'faith', it is also the standard word for 'trust' in personal relationships. This means you use the same word to describe your faith in a deity as you do your trust in a friend.
- The word 신앙 for religious faith is a loanword from Classical Chinese. This distinguishes formal, institutionalized religion from the more personal, internal feeling of 믿음.
- In Korean, the concept of 'faith' is often expressed through the verb 믿다, which can be used as a command. Saying 믿어! ('Believe!') is a common way to tell someone to have faith or trust you in a high-pressure moment.
Examples in context
- 믿음과 신뢰의 차이점은 무엇입니까?What's the difference between faith and trust?This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use the word 믿음 when asking about the difference between faith and trust.Tatoeba #6820138 by yesjustryan, translation #2904402 by AlanF_US
- 저의 신앙은 제 인생의 중요한 부분입니다.My faith is an important part of my life.
- 믿음을 갖는 사람은 희망으로 가득 차 있습니다.A person with faith is filled with hope.
- 그는 종교적 믿음이 아주 강합니다.geuneun jonggyojeok mideumi aju ganghamnida.He has very strong religious faith.
- 어린 시절부터 믿음이 깊어졌어요.eorin sijeilbuteo mideumi gipeojyeosseoyo.My faith has deepened since my childhood.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihun are talking about their values.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨는 종교가 있어요?Jihun ssineun jonggyoga isseoyo?Jihun, do you have a religion?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 제 믿음이 저를 도와줘요.Ne, je mideumi jeoreul dowajwoyo.Yes, my faith helps me.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 멋진 생각이에요.Jeongmal meotjin saenggak-ieyo.That is a really wonderful thought.
- 지훈 Ji-hun감사합니다, 서연 씨.Gamsahamnida, Seoyeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 믿음, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
