Korean Dictionary
How to say "PhD" in Korean
“PhD” in Korean is 박사학위 (pronounced "Baksa Hakwi").
박사학위
Baksa Hakwi
Usage & Context
The highest academic degree. Korean universities award PhDs in various scientific fields.
Example Sentence
박사학위를 취득했다.
I obtained a PhD.
How to use 박사학위 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “PhD” is 박사학위, romanized as Baksa Hakwi.
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 박사학위.
Pronunciation Guide
The term "박사학위" (Baksa Hakwi) is pronounced "BAHK-sah HAHK-wee." "Bak" is like 'bock' (as in bock beer), "sa" is like 'sah' (as in 'psalm'), "Hak" is like 'hawk,' and "wi" is like 'wee.' The stress is on the first syllable of each word.
More Example Sentences
Sharing someone's academic achievement and alma mater.
그는 서울대학교에서 박사학위를 받았습니다.
He received his PhD from Seoul National University.
A graduate student discussing their academic workload.
박사학위 논문을 준비하는 중이에요.
I'm preparing my PhD dissertation.
Giving career advice or discussing career prospects.
박사학위가 있으면 더 좋은 기회가 많을 거예요.
If you have a PhD, there will be more good opportunities.
Cultural Context
Obtaining a 박사학위 (baksa hakwi) in Korea is a highly respected achievement, often seen as a gateway to academic or high-level corporate research positions. There's a strong emphasis on academic credentials, and having a PhD from a prestigious university, especially abroad, can significantly boost one's career prospects. It's common for people to refer to someone with a PhD as "박사님" (baksanim), a respectful title.
Editorial note
We review entries like 박사학위 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
박사학위를 취득하다
to obtain a PhD
박사학위 과정
PhD program
박사학위 소지자
PhD holder
Related Expressions
석사학위
Seoksa Hakwi
Master's degree
학사학위
Haksa Hakwi
Bachelor's degree
졸업
Joreop
graduation
논문
Nonmun
thesis, dissertation
More Science & Research Words
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