전쟁
jeonjaeng[ˈt͡ɕɘ(ː)ɲd͡ʑɛŋ]
The Korean word for "war" is 전쟁 (jeonjaeng).
전쟁 refers to large-scale, organized military conflicts between nations or organized groups, rather than small-scale skirmishes or riots.
Meaning: conflict involving organized use of arms (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb form 전쟁하다 combines the noun 전쟁 with the verb suffix 하다, which means "to do", to express the meaning "to wage war" or "to be at war".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a verb, you can say 전쟁하다 to mean to wage war. Alternatively, you can use the phrase 전쟁을 수행하다 to mean to conduct or carry out a war. In this specific construction, the noun 전쟁 takes the object marker 를.
How do you pronounce it?
jeonjaeng
Did you know?
- When talking about the Korean War, it is specifically referred to as 6.25 전쟁 (the June 25th War) rather than using a name like 'Korean War'.
- The phrase 전쟁터 refers to a 'battlefield', but it is commonly used as a slang term to describe any extremely messy or chaotic room or workspace.
- The word 전쟁 is composed of two Hanja characters, where 전 means 'fight' and 쟁 means 'struggle' or 'contention'.
Examples in context
- 5년 후에 전쟁이 시작됐어.War began five years later.This sentence shows the use of 전쟁 as the subject of the sentence.Tatoeba #8365158 by Eunhee, translation #804176 by Source_VOA
- 전쟁으로 많은 사람들이 죽었다.Many people were killed in the war.This sentence shows how 전쟁 can be the cause of a specific outcome.Tatoeba #11106189 by intertime, translation #45738 by CK
- 전쟁은 대략 3달이 지나고 끝났어.The war ended about three months later.This sentence illustrates the duration of a 전쟁.Tatoeba #8366691 by Eunhee, translation #6003767 by CK
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are discussing a history book they are reading.
- 수빈 Su-bin이 책은 전쟁에 관한 이야기예요.i chaeg-eun jeonjaeng-e gwanhan iyagi-yeyo.This book is a story about war.
- 지훈 Ji-hun전쟁은 정말 무서운 것 같아요.jeonjaeng-eun jeongmal museoun geot gat-ayo.I think war is really scary.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요. 그래서 평화가 중요해요.maj-ayo. geuraeseo pyeonghwaga jung-yohaeyo.That's true. That's why peace is important.
- 지훈 Ji-hun동감이에요, 수빈 씨.donggam-ieyo, Subin ssi.I agree, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “war” translations and entries 전쟁, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 전쟁, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
