Korean Dictionary
How to say "Atom" in Korean
“Atom” in Korean is 원자 (pronounced "Wonja").
원자
Wonja
Usage & Context
The smallest unit of matter. Korean physicists conduct research on atomic structure and behavior at institutions like KAIST.
Example Sentence
원자는 매우 작다.
Atoms are very small.
How to use 원자 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Atom” is 원자, romanized as Wonja.
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 원자.
Pronunciation Guide
원 (won) sounds like 'won' in 'one' (the number). 자 (ja) sounds like 'ja' in 'jar' or 'jaw'. The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
A fundamental statement in a science textbook or lecture.
모든 물질은 원자로 이루어져 있다.
All matter is made up of atoms.
A physics student explaining atomic structure.
원자핵은 원자의 중심에 있다.
The atomic nucleus is at the center of an atom.
A discussion about energy sources or nuclear technology.
원자력 발전은 원자의 힘을 이용한다.
Nuclear power generation uses the power of atoms.
Cultural Context
원자 (wonja) is a fundamental concept in both chemistry and physics, taught from an early age in Korean science education. It's often discussed in the context of energy, particularly '원자력' (nuclear power), which is a significant topic in Korea due to its nuclear power plants. Like '원소', this term is strictly scientific and rarely used metaphorically in everyday conversation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 원자 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
수소 원자
hydrogen atom
원자 구조
atomic structure
원자 폭탄
atomic bomb
Related Expressions
원소
wonso
element
분자
bunja
molecule
전자
jeonja
electron
원자핵
wonja-haek
atomic nucleus
More Science & Research Words
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