Korean Dictionary
How to say "Imjin War" in Korean
“Imjin War” in Korean is 임진왜란 (pronounced "imjin waeran").
임진왜란
imjin waeran
Usage & Context
The Imjin War (1592–1598) was a Japanese invasion of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Japan under Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded but was ultimately repelled. Admiral Yi Sun-sin became a national hero defending Korea's coast.
Example Sentence
임진왜란 때 이순신 장군이 나라를 구했어요.
Admiral Yi Sun-sin saved the country during the Imjin War.
How to use 임진왜란 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Imjin War” is 임진왜란, romanized as imjin waeran.
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 임진왜란.
Pronunciation Guide
임 (im) sounds like 'eem' in 'seem'. 진 (jin) sounds like 'jin' in 'jingle'. 왜 (wae) sounds like 'weh' in 'wet'. 란 (ran) sounds like 'rahn', similar to 'run' but with a more open 'a' sound. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable of each word part.
More Example Sentences
Explaining a historical event.
임진왜란은 조선 시대에 일어난 큰 전쟁이었어요.
The Imjin War was a major war that occurred during the Joseon Dynasty.
Discussing a film.
임진왜란을 배경으로 한 영화를 봤어요.
I watched a movie set during the Imjin War.
Reflecting on historical hardships.
임진왜란 당시 백성들의 삶은 매우 힘들었을 거예요.
The lives of the common people during the Imjin War must have been very difficult.
Cultural Context
The 임진왜란 (Imjin Waeran) is a pivotal and traumatic period in Korean history, referring to the Japanese invasions of Korea from 1592-1598. It's a common subject in historical dramas and films, often depicting the heroism of figures like Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the suffering of the Korean people. The war profoundly shaped Korea's national identity and its relationship with Japan. Discussions about the Imjin War often highlight themes of resilience, strategic defense, and national unity in the face of foreign aggression.
Editorial note
We review entries like 임진왜란 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
임진왜란이 발발하다.
The Imjin War breaks out.
임진왜란의 영웅.
Hero of the Imjin War.
임진왜란을 겪다.
To experience the Imjin War.
Related Expressions
이순신
i sunsin
Yi Sun-sin (key figure)
거북선
geobukseon
Turtle ship (key weapon)
정유재란
jeongyu jaeran
Jeongyu War (the second phase of the Imjin War)
조선 시대
joseon sidae
Joseon Dynasty (the era it occurred in)
More Korean History Words
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