Korean Dictionary
How to say "Jesus" in Korean
“Jesus” in Korean is 예수 (pronounced "Yesu").
예수
Yesu
Usage & Context
Jesus is the central figure of Christianity. Korean Christians believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior.
Example Sentence
예수님을 믿습니다.
I believe in Jesus.
How to use 예수 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Jesus” is 예수, romanized as Yesu.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 예수.
What learners usually mean by “Jesus in Korean”
This query usually needs the Korean Christian name and how it appears in churches, Bible contexts, or conversation.
Real usage
예수 is the Korean word for Jesus. 예수님 is the respectful form commonly used by Korean Christians, with 님 adding honorific respect.
Avoid this mistake
Do not use 예수님 as a casual name label in every context. It is respectful and religious in tone.
Better pattern
Use 예수 for the name in neutral explanation, 예수님 in worship or respectful Christian speech, and 예수 그리스도 for Jesus Christ.
Christian speech
예수님을 믿어요.
I believe in Jesus.
neutral explanation
예수 그리스도는 기독교의 중심 인물이에요.
Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Ye' like 'yeah'. 'Su' sounds like 'soo' in 'soon'.
More Example Sentences
A Christian explaining a core belief.
예수님은 우리의 죄를 위해 십자가에 못 박히셨습니다.
Jesus was crucified for our sins.
Someone sharing their experience from a church service.
교회에서 예수님의 사랑에 대해 배웠어요.
I learned about Jesus' love at church.
Discussing Christian doctrine or faith.
예수님을 믿으면 영생을 얻을 수 있다고 해요.
They say if you believe in Jesus, you can gain eternal life.
Cultural Context
Christianity, particularly Protestantism and Catholicism, has a very strong presence in South Korea, with numerous large churches and a significant portion of the population identifying as Christian. '예수님' (Jesus-nim) is the common respectful way to refer to Jesus, adding the honorific '-님'. Christmas ('성탄절') is a major public holiday, and many Christian phrases and greetings are commonly heard in daily life.
Editorial note
We review entries like 예수 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
예수님 믿으세요?
Do you believe in Jesus?
예수님의 사랑
The love of Jesus
예수님 탄생일
Jesus' birthday (Christmas)
Related Expressions
그리스도
Geuriseudo
Christ
하나님
Hananim
God (Christian)
교회
Gyohoe
Church
성경
Seonggyeong
Bible
Frequently asked questions
How do you correctly pronounce the Korean word "예수" for Jesus?+
The Korean word "예수" (Yesu) is pronounced with two syllables. "예" is pronounced like "ye" in "yes," with a soft 'y' sound followed by the 'e' as in "bed." "수" is pronounced like "soo" in "soup" or "Sue." Combine them for "Ye-su." There's no 'z' sound, which is a common mispronunciation for English speakers. Practice saying it smoothly, focusing on the distinct vowel sounds.
In what specific contexts is the word "예수" typically used by Korean speakers?+
"예수" (Yesu) is primarily used in religious contexts among Korean Christians. You'll hear it in church sermons, prayers, hymns, and Bible studies, always referring to Jesus Christ. For instance, "예수님을 믿습니다" (Yesunim-eul mitseumnida) means "I believe in Jesus." It's not a casual term and is deeply associated with Christian faith and worship. Outside of religious discussions, its usage is very limited.
Is "예수" considered a formal or informal term, and are honorifics typically used?+
"예수" (Yesu) is a proper noun, so it doesn't inherently carry formal or informal connotations like common nouns. However, when referring to Jesus, Koreans almost universally add the honorific suffix "-님" (nim), making it "예수님" (Yesunim). This suffix conveys deep respect and reverence, similar to "Lord Jesus" or "Reverend Jesus." Using "예수" without "-님" is generally considered too direct or even disrespectful in most Christian settings.
Are there common Korean phrases or expressions related to "예수" that I should know?+
Absolutely. A very common phrase is "예수 그리스도" (Yesu Geuriseuto), meaning "Jesus Christ." You'll also hear "예수 믿으세요?" (Yesu mideuseyo?), which is a common evangelistic question meaning "Do you believe in Jesus?" Another is "예수님 사랑" (Yesunim sarang), referring to "Jesus' love." These phrases are integral to expressing Christian faith and beliefs in Korean.
What are common misunderstandings or mistakes when using the word "예수" in Korean?+
The primary mistake is using "예수" (Yesu) as a generic term for a savior or prophet; it refers exclusively to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It's not interchangeable with other religious figures. Another error is neglecting the honorific "-님" (nim). While grammatically "예수" is correct, culturally and religiously, "예수님" (Yesunim) is the expected and respectful form. Avoid using it in casual, non-religious contexts where it might sound out of place or preachy.
More Religion Words
Related Articles
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Jesus and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
