Korean Dictionary
How to say "April Revolution" in Korean
“April Revolution” in Korean is 4·19 혁명 (pronounced "sa-il-gu hyeokmyeong").
4·19 혁명
sa-il-gu hyeokmyeong
Usage & Context
The April Revolution of 1960 was a popular uprising in South Korea that overthrew President Syngman Rhee. Student-led protests responded to electoral fraud. It led to the establishment of the Second Republic of Korea.
Example Sentence
4·19 혁명으로 이승만 대통령이 물러났어요.
President Syngman Rhee stepped down due to the April Revolution.
How to use 4·19 혁명 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “April Revolution” is 4·19 혁명, romanized as sa-il-gu hyeokmyeong.
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 4·19 혁명.
Pronunciation Guide
사 (sa) sounds like 'sah' in 'saw'. 일 (il) sounds like 'eel'. 구 (gu) sounds like 'goo' in 'goose'. 혁 (hyeok) sounds like 'hyuk', similar to 'hook' but with a 'y' sound before the 'uh'. 명 (myeong) sounds like 'myung', like 'my' followed by 'ung' in 'sung'. The numbers are pronounced individually, then '혁명' follows, with fairly even stress.
More Example Sentences
Explaining the participants of the revolution.
4·19 혁명은 학생들의 주도로 일어났어요.
The April Revolution was led by students.
Describing a historical monument.
4·19 혁명 기념탑은 서울에 있어요.
The April Revolution Memorial Tower is in Seoul.
Discussing its historical significance.
4·19 혁명은 한국 민주주의의 중요한 전환점이었어요.
The April Revolution was a crucial turning point for Korean democracy.
Cultural Context
The 4·19 혁명 (Sa-il-gu Hyeokmyeong), or April Revolution, is a landmark event in South Korean democratic history, occurring on April 19, 1960. It was a student-led uprising that successfully overthrew the authoritarian government of President Syngman Rhee. This event is celebrated as a victory for democracy and citizen power, and it's a key part of modern Korean history education. Memorials and ceremonies are held annually, and the spirit of the 4·19 Revolution is often invoked in discussions about civil rights and democratic values in Korea.
Editorial note
We review entries like 4·19 혁명 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
4·19 혁명 정신.
Spirit of the April Revolution.
4·19 혁명 기념일.
April Revolution Memorial Day.
4·19 혁명에 참여하다.
To participate in the April Revolution.
Related Expressions
이승만
i seungman
Syngman Rhee (the president overthrown)
민주주의
minjujuui
Democracy
학생운동
haksaeng undong
Student movement
독재
dokjae
Dictatorship (what they fought against)
More Korean History Words
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