Korean Dictionary
How to say "Calm" in Korean
“Calm” in Korean is 차분하다 (pronounced "Chabunhada").
차분하다
Chabunhada
Usage & Context
Describes a composed, unruffled state of mind. 차분하게 말하세요 (speak calmly) is common advice in tense situations. Often used to encourage composure in difficult moments.
Example Sentence
급할수록 차분하게 생각하는 게 중요해요.
The more urgent the situation, the more important it is to think calmly.
How to use 차분하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Calm” is 차분하다, romanized as Chabunhada.
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 차분하다.
Pronunciation Guide
차분 (cha-bun) sounds like 'cha' in 'cha-cha' followed by 'boon' as in 'moon'. 하다 (ha-da) is 'ha' like 'hah' and 'da' like 'dah'. The 'cha' is a tense 'ch' sound.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
차분합니다
Chabunhapnida
Standard formal ending for adjectives.
Casual (반말)
차분해
Chabunhae
Casual '아/어' ending.
More Example Sentences
Advice for maintaining composure during a job interview.
면접 볼 때는 차분하게 대답하는 것이 중요해요.
When interviewing, it's important to answer calmly.
Describing someone who is consistently composed.
그녀는 어떤 상황에서도 항상 차분함을 유지한다.
She always maintains her composure in any situation.
A personal strategy for calming down.
마음이 복잡할 때는 차분한 음악을 들어요.
When my mind is complicated, I listen to calm music.
Cultural Context
차분하다 describes a state of being composed, collected, and unruffled, especially in stressful situations. It's a highly admired quality in Korea, often associated with maturity, wisdom, and self-control. In public or professional settings, maintaining '차분함' (chabunham - calmness/composure) is often seen as a sign of strength and reliability, reflecting a cultural emphasis on emotional regulation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 차분하다 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
차분하게 생각해 봐.
Think about it calmly.
차분한 목소리
A calm voice
마음을 차분하게
Calm your mind
Related Expressions
침착하다
Chimchakada
Calm, composed (very similar)
조용하다
Joyonghada
Quiet, silent
평온하다
Pyeongonhada
Peaceful, tranquil
안정적이다
Anjeongjeogida
Stable, steady
More Emotions Words
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