Korean Dictionary
How to say "Coming of age ceremony" in Korean
“Coming of age ceremony” in Korean is 성인식 (pronounced "Seong-insik").
성인식
Seong-insik
Usage & Context
A ceremony marking the transition to adulthood. The coming of age ceremony is celebrated at age 20 in Korea.
Example Sentence
성인식은 한국의 중요한 행사입니다.
The coming of age ceremony is an important Korean event.
How to use 성인식 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Coming of age ceremony” is 성인식, romanized as Seong-insik.
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 성인식.
Pronunciation Guide
성인식 (Seong-in-sik): 'Seong' sounds like 'sung' in 'sung a song.' 'In' sounds like 'in' in English. 'Sik' sounds like 'sick' with an unreleased 'k' sound.
More Example Sentences
Observing friends turning 20 (Korean age).
올해 성인식 맞이하는 친구들이 많네.
There are many friends celebrating their coming of age ceremony this year.
A young person talking about their coming of age gifts.
성인식 선물로 향수 받았어.
I received perfume as a coming of age gift.
Explaining the age for the ceremony.
한국에서는 만 19세가 되면 성인식을 해요.
In Korea, people have a coming of age ceremony when they turn 19 (international age).
Cultural Context
The 'Seong-insik' (성인식) is a ceremony for those turning 19 (international age), which is 20 in Korean age. It marks the transition from youth to adulthood. While not as widely celebrated with large family parties as 'dol' or 'baekil,' it's still a recognized milestone. Traditionally, it involved specific rituals, but nowadays, it's often marked by receiving gifts like perfume, flowers, or a symbolic kiss. It signifies gaining legal rights and responsibilities, such as voting, drinking, and smoking.
Editorial note
We review entries like 성인식 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
성인식 축하해!
Happy coming of age!
이제 성인이네.
You're an adult now.
성년의 날 선물
Coming of Age Day gift
Related Expressions
성인
seong-in
Adult
성년의 날
seongnyeonui nal
Coming of Age Day (a specific day in May)
미성년자
miseongnyeonja
Minor
성인 되다
seong-in doeda
To become an adult
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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