Korean Dictionary
How to say "Candle" in Korean
“Candle” in Korean is 촛불 (pronounced "Chotbul").
촛불
Chotbul
Usage & Context
Candles are lit in religious ceremonies to symbolize light and hope. In Korean churches and temples, candles are important ritual objects.
Example Sentence
제단에 촛불을 켭니다.
We light candles on the altar.
How to use 촛불 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Candle” is 촛불, romanized as Chotbul.
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 촛불.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 촛 (chot), sounds like 'choht' with an unreleased 't' sound. The second syllable, 불 (bul), sounds like 'bool' in 'pool.' When combined, the 't' sound at the end of 촛 causes the 'b' sound of 불 to become a stronger 'pp' sound, so it's pronounced closer to 'chot-ppul.' Both syllables are pronounced with even stress.
More Example Sentences
Describing a common birthday celebration.
생일 케이크에 촛불을 켰어요.
I lit candles on the birthday cake.
Reporting on a social or political protest.
촛불 시위에 많은 사람들이 모였습니다.
Many people gathered for the candlelight vigil.
Describing a practical use during an emergency.
정전이 되어서 촛불을 찾아야 했어요.
There was a power outage, so I had to find a candle.
Cultural Context
Beyond its use in religious ceremonies (both Buddhist temples and Christian churches), '촛불' (chotbul) holds significant cultural and political symbolism in South Korea. The '촛불 시위' (Chotbul Siwi), or 'Candlelight Vigils,' are famous peaceful protests where citizens gather with candles to demand political change. Notably, the 2016-2017 candlelight protests led to the impeachment of a president, showcasing the power of collective civic action. Thus, '촛불' is not just an object but also a powerful symbol of democracy and hope in modern Korean society.
Editorial note
We review entries like 촛불 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
촛불을 켜다
to light a candle
촛불을 끄다
to blow out a candle
촛불 시위
candlelight vigil/protest
Related Expressions
양초
yangcho
wax candle (more general term for the object)
성냥
seongnyang
match
라이터
raiteo
lighter
불
bul
fire, light
More Religion Words
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