Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cheer" in Korean
“Cheer” in Korean is 응원 (pronounced "eungwon").
응원
eungwon
Usage & Context
Cheering is showing support and enthusiasm for athletes and teams. Fans cheer loudly at sports events to encourage their favorite teams.
Example Sentence
팀을 응원해요.
I cheer for the team.
How to use 응원 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cheer” is 응원, romanized as eungwon.
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 응원.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, "eung," sounds like the "ung" in "sung" but with a slightly more nasal 'eu' vowel, similar to "uhng." The second syllable, "won," rhymes with "on" in "gone" or "wan" in "want." The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
응원합니다
eungwonhamnida
Formal polite form of 'to cheer' or 'to support'.
Casual (반말)
응원해
eungwonhae
Casual form of 'to cheer' or 'to support'.
More Example Sentences
Friends at a sports bar watching a game.
우리 팀이 이길 수 있도록 열심히 응원하자!
Let's cheer hard so our team can win!
A student sending encouragement to a friend before a test.
시험 잘 보라고 응원 메시지를 보냈어요.
I sent a cheering message to wish them good luck on the exam.
An athlete thanking their fans after a competition.
항상 저를 응원해주셔서 감사합니다.
Thank you for always cheering me on.
Cultural Context
"응원" is a huge part of Korean culture, especially in sports and K-pop. Fans often organize elaborate "응원" projects for their idols, including fan chants, light sticks, and even subway ads. During major sports events like the World Cup, the entire nation unites in red shirts to "길거리 응원" (street cheering), creating a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere. It's not just about cheering for a team, but also showing support for friends, family, or anyone facing a challenge.
Editorial note
We review entries like 응원 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
응원합니다!
I'm cheering for you! (Formal)
힘내세요!
Cheer up! / Be strong! (Polite)
파이팅!
Fighting! (Common cheer)
Related Expressions
화이팅
hwaiting
Fighting! (Common cheer/encouragement)
격려
gyeongnyeo
Encouragement (noun)
박수
baksu
Applause (noun)
지지
jiji
Support (noun)
More Sports Words
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