Korean Dictionary
How to say "Hope" in Korean
“Hope” in Korean is 희망 (pronounced "huimang").
희망
huimang
Usage & Context
Hope is a feeling of expectation and optimism about the future. In mental health recovery, 희망 is considered a fundamental element that motivates people to seek treatment and persist through challenges.
Example Sentence
희망이 있으면 어떤 어려움도 이겨낼 수 있다.
With hope, any difficulty can be overcome.
How to use 희망 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Hope” is 희망, romanized as huimang.
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 희망.
Pronunciation Guide
희망 (huimang) sounds like 'hwee-mahng.' 'Hwee' is like 'h' followed by 'wee' in 'sweet.' 'Mahng' rhymes with 'song' but with an 'ah' sound, similar to 'mang' in 'mango.'
More Example Sentences
Encouraging a friend or loved one.
어려운 시기에도 희망을 잃지 마세요.
Don't lose hope even in difficult times.
Describing an inspiring person or event.
그의 이야기는 많은 사람들에게 희망을 주었다.
His story gave hope to many people.
Reflecting on a fresh start or new opportunity.
새로운 시작은 언제나 희망으로 가득 차 있다.
A new beginning is always full of hope.
Cultural Context
'희망' is a universally positive concept, but in Korea, it often carries a strong connotation of resilience and overcoming adversity, reflecting the nation's history of challenges. It's a very common theme in K-pop lyrics and K-dramas, where characters often find strength and '희망' even in the darkest situations, making it a powerful word of encouragement.
Editorial note
We review entries like 희망 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
희망을 가지다
to have hope
희망을 주다
to give hope
희망이 있다
there is hope
Related Expressions
소망
somang
wish, desire
기대
gidae
expectation, anticipation
절망
jeolmang
despair (antonym)
낙관
nakgwan
optimism
More Mental Health & Wellness Words
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