Korean Dictionary
How to say "Gayageum" in Korean
“Gayageum” in Korean is 가야금 (pronounced "Gayageum").
가야금
Gayageum
Usage & Context
A traditional Korean stringed instrument with 12 strings. Important instrument in Korean music.
Example Sentence
가야금을 연주해요.
I play the gayageum.
How to use 가야금 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Gayageum” is 가야금, romanized as Gayageum.
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 가야금.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 가 (Ga), sounds like 'gah' as in 'car' or 'father'. The second syllable, 야 (ya), sounds like 'yah' as in 'yacht' or 'yard'. The final syllable, 금 (geum), sounds like 'goom' as in 'groom' or 'room' but with a 'g' sound. Put it together as GAH-yah-GOOM.
More Example Sentences
Expressing appreciation for the instrument's sound
가야금 소리는 정말 아름답고 평화로워요.
The sound of the gayageum is truly beautiful and peaceful.
Talking about one's academic background
저는 대학교에서 가야금을 전공했어요.
I majored in gayageum at university.
Explaining the instrument to someone unfamiliar
가야금은 한국의 대표적인 현악기 중 하나예요.
The gayageum is one of Korea's representative string instruments.
Cultural Context
The 가야금 (Gayageum) is arguably the most iconic traditional Korean string instrument, known for its elegant sound and distinctive appearance. It typically has 12 strings, though modern versions can have more. It's often played solo or as part of an ensemble in both court music (정악, Jeongak) and folk music (산조, Sanjo). Learning the Gayageum is a popular way for Koreans to connect with their heritage, and its unique sound is increasingly featured in K-dramas and K-pop for a traditional yet modern flair.
Editorial note
We review entries like 가야금 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
가야금 배우기
Learning gayageum
가야금 소리
Gayageum sound
가야금 연주
Gayageum performance
Related Expressions
가야금 연주자
gayageum yeonjuja
Gayageum player
현악기
hyeonakgi
String instrument
거문고
geomungo
Geomungo (another traditional Korean string instrument)
해금
haegeum
Haegeum (traditional Korean fiddle-like instrument)
More Music Words
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