Korean Dictionary
How to say "Incense" in Korean
“Incense” in Korean is 향 (pronounced "hyang").
향
hyang
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
향 is burned during Korean ancestral rites and Buddhist rituals to honor the deceased and create a sacred atmosphere. The smoke of the 향 is believed to carry prayers and offerings to the spiritual realm. Korean 향 sets often include a small bronze incense burner (향로) and are kept as part of the jesa ritual equipment.
Example Sentence
제사 지낼 때 향을 피워요.
We burn incense when performing jesa.
How to use 향 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Incense” is 향, romanized as hyang.
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 향.
Pronunciation Guide
향 (hyang) starts with a soft 'h' sound, followed by 'yahng' as in 'yang' (from yin and yang). The pronunciation is 'HYAHNG'.
More Example Sentences
Describing the atmosphere of a Buddhist temple.
절에서는 향 냄새가 항상 은은하게 나요.
In temples, the smell of incense always subtly lingers.
Performing a memorial act for a loved one.
돌아가신 할아버지를 위해 향을 피웠어요.
I burned incense for my deceased grandfather.
Using incense for personal reflection or meditation.
향을 피우고 마음을 가다듬었어요.
I lit incense and composed myself.
Cultural Context
향 (hyang) is an integral part of Korean ancestral rites (제사) and Buddhist rituals, used to honor the deceased and create a sacred, contemplative atmosphere. The rising smoke of the 향 is believed to carry prayers and offerings to the spiritual realm. Many traditional Korean homes keep a set of 향, often including a small bronze incense burner (향로), as part of their jesa equipment, symbolizing reverence and continuity.
Editorial note
We review entries like 향 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. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
향을 피우다
to burn/light incense
향 냄새
incense smell
향을 사르다
to burn incense (more poetic)
Related Expressions
향로
hyangno
incense burner
향수
hyangsu
perfume
향기
hyanggi
fragrance, scent
피우다
piuda
to burn/light (incense, cigarette)
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