Korean Dictionary
How to say "Element" in Korean
“Element” in Korean is 원소 (pronounced "Wonso").
원소
Wonso
Usage & Context
A pure substance made of only one type of atom. Korean chemistry research focuses on discovering new elements and their properties.
Example Sentence
이 원소는 매우 드물다.
This element is very rare.
How to use 원소 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Element” is 원소, romanized as Wonso.
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 원소.
Pronunciation Guide
원 (won) sounds like 'won' in 'one' (the number). 소 (so) sounds like 'so' in 'sow' (to plant seeds). The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
A science teacher explaining basic chemistry facts to students.
수소는 가장 가벼운 원소이다.
Hydrogen is the lightest element.
A materials scientist explaining the composition of a new material.
이 합금은 여러 원소로 이루어져 있다.
This alloy is made up of several elements.
A researcher discussing the challenges in chemistry or physics.
새로운 원소를 발견하는 것은 어려운 일이다.
Discovering new elements is a difficult task.
Cultural Context
원소 (wonso) is a core term in chemistry and physics education in Korea, taught alongside '원자' (atom) and '분자' (molecule). While primarily scientific, its usage is quite strict; it's rarely used metaphorically in daily conversation like 'an element of surprise' in English. Its primary context remains within the scientific domain, especially when discussing the composition of matter or the periodic table.
Editorial note
We review entries like 원소 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
화학 원소
chemical element
희귀 원소
rare element
원소 기호
element symbol
Related Expressions
원자
wonja
atom
분자
bunja
molecule
화합물
hwahamul
compound
동위원소
dong-iwonso
isotope
More Science & Research Words
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