Korean Dictionary
How to say "Happiness" in Korean
“Happiness” in Korean is 행복 (pronounced "haengbok").
행복
haengbok
Usage & Context
Happiness is a state of contentment and positive well-being. Korean researchers and psychologists study the factors contributing to 행복, with social connection and meaning ranked highly.
Example Sentence
진정한 행복은 물질이 아닌 관계에서 온다.
True happiness comes from relationships, not material things.
How to use 행복 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Happiness” is 행복, romanized as haengbok.
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 행복.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'HENG-bok' — 'haeng' rhymes with 'hang' with a soft 'ng', and 'bok' sounds like 'bohk' with a clipped final k.
More Example Sentences
Reflective caption for a photo on Instagram
행복은 멀리 있지 않고 일상 속에 있어요.
Happiness isn't far away; it's in everyday life.
A romantic message sent to a partner
너만 있으면 나는 정말 행복해.
As long as I have you, I'm truly happy.
Parenting essay or blog post
아이의 웃음소리가 부모에게 가장 큰 행복이에요.
A child's laughter is the greatest happiness for parents.
Cultural Context
행복 carries a weighty, slightly philosophical tone in Korean and is often tied to concepts like family, stability, and inner peace rather than momentary fun. Younger Koreans talk about '소확행' (small but certain happiness), a widely used buzzword meaning finding contentment in small daily pleasures like warm bread or tidy socks. For lighter everyday joy, Koreans more often say 기분이 좋다 rather than 행복하다.
Editorial note
We review entries like 행복 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
행복하세요.
Be happy. / I wish you happiness.
정말 행복해요.
I'm really happy.
행복한 하루 보내세요.
Have a happy day.
Related Expressions
기쁨
gippeum
joy, gladness
만족
manjok
satisfaction, contentment
소확행
sohwakhaeng
small but certain happiness
즐거움
jeulgeoum
enjoyment, pleasure
Frequently asked questions
How do you correctly pronounce the Korean word 행복 (haengbok) for happiness?+
The Korean word for happiness, 행복 (haengbok), is pronounced with a few key sounds. The first syllable, 행 (haeng), sounds like the 'hang' in 'hanger' but with a slightly more open 'a' sound similar to 'apple'. The 'ng' sound is like in 'sing'. The second syllable, 복 (bok), is pronounced like 'bock' in 'bock beer', with the 'o' sound being a short 'oh' and the 'k' at the end being unreleased, a soft stop. Practice combining them smoothly.
What is the difference between using 행복 (haengbok) and 행복하다 (haengbokhada)?+
행복 (haengbok) is a noun meaning 'happiness' itself. You might use it in phrases like 행복을 찾다 (haengbogeul chatda, 'to find happiness') or 행복을 느끼다 (haengbogeul neukkida, 'to feel happiness'). On the other hand, 행복하다 (haengbokhada) is an adjective meaning 'to be happy'. You would use it to describe a state, for example, 나는 행복하다 (naneun haengbokhada, 'I am happy') or 행복한 사람 (haengbokhan saram, 'a happy person').
Is the word 행복 (haengbok) generally considered a formal or informal term in Korean?+
The word 행복 (haengbok) itself is neutral in terms of formality. It's a standard noun for 'happiness' and can be used across various contexts, from casual conversations to formal speeches. Its formality level depends on the ending attached to it or the sentence structure. For instance, 행복해 (haengbokhae) is informal, 행복해요 (haengbokhaeyo) is polite, and 행복합니다 (haengbokhamnida) is formal. The core word remains consistent.
What other Korean words are closely related to the concept of happiness?+
Several Korean words convey similar or related ideas to 행복 (haengbok). 기쁨 (gippeum) means 'joy' or 'delight', often referring to a more transient, intense emotion. 즐거움 (jeulgeoum) translates to 'pleasure' or 'enjoyment', focusing on the enjoyable aspect of an experience. 만족 (manjok) means 'satisfaction' or 'contentment', indicating a state of being pleased with what one has. These words often appear alongside or in contexts where happiness is discussed.
Are there any common grammatical mistakes learners make when using 행복 (haengbok) in Korean?+
A common mistake is confusing the noun 행복 (haengbok) with the adjective 행복하다 (haengbokhada). For example, saying '나는 행복' (naneun haengbok) instead of '나는 행복하다' (naneun haengbokhada, 'I am happy'). Another error involves incorrect particle usage when expressing 'to be happy about something'. You should use 에 (e) or 으로 (euro) with the object, like 친구의 행복에 기뻐하다 (chinguui haengboge gippeohada, 'to be happy about a friend's happiness'), rather than direct object particles.
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