Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ancestral Spirit" in Korean
“Ancestral Spirit” in Korean is 조상 (pronounced "josang").
조상
josang
Usage & Context
조상 refers to ancestors whose spirits are honored through 제사 and 차례 rituals in Korean culture. Korean families maintain a strong sense of connection to their 조상 believing that respecting them brings blessings to the living family. The veneration of 조상 is a cornerstone of Korean Confucian family values.
Example Sentence
제사를 통해 조상님들께 감사를 드려요.
We express gratitude to our ancestors through jesa.
How to use 조상 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ancestral Spirit” is 조상, romanized as josang.
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 조상.
Pronunciation Guide
조 (jo) sounds like 'joe' (as in the name). 상 (sang) sounds like 'sang' (as in past tense of sing). The two syllables are pronounced smoothly together, with a slight emphasis on the second syllable.
More Example Sentences
Talking about family history or heritage.
우리 조상들은 이 땅에서 농사를 지었어요.
Our ancestors farmed this land.
Discussing values or lessons from the past.
조상들의 지혜를 본받아야 해요.
We should emulate the wisdom of our ancestors.
Describing a traditional activity during Chuseok or other holidays.
조상님 묘에 성묘하러 가요.
We're going to visit our ancestors' graves.
Cultural Context
조상 (Josang) refers to one's ancestors, and their veneration is a deeply ingrained aspect of Korean culture, stemming from Confucian traditions. Koreans believe that respecting and honoring their ancestors brings blessings and good fortune to the living family. This is primarily expressed through rituals like 제사 (jesa, ancestral rites) and 차례 (charye, memorial service on holidays), where elaborate food offerings are prepared and bows are performed. Many families also visit their ancestors' graves (성묘, seongmyo) during holidays like Chuseok and Seollal, reinforcing the strong intergenerational bond.
Editorial note
We review entries like 조상 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
조상님
honored ancestors (polite form)
조상의 지혜
ancestral wisdom
조상 숭배
ancestor worship/veneration
Related Expressions
선조
seonjo
forefathers, ancestors (more formal/historical)
후손
huson
descendants (antonym)
제사
jesa
ancestral rites (ritual for ancestors)
차례
charye
memorial service (on holidays)
More Holidays & Festivals Words
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