Korean Dictionary
How to say "Independence Movement" in Korean
“Independence Movement” in Korean is 독립운동 (pronounced "dongnipundong").
독립운동
dongnipundong
Usage & Context
The Korean independence movement resisted Japanese colonial rule through peaceful and armed resistance. The March First Movement of 1919 was a major peaceful protest demanding independence. Independence activists like An Jung-geun and Yu Gwan-sun are national heroes.
Example Sentence
독립운동가들의 희생을 잊지 말아야 해요.
We must not forget the sacrifices of independence movement activists.
How to use 독립운동 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Independence Movement” is 독립운동, romanized as dongnipundong.
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 독립운동.
Pronunciation Guide
독립운동 (dongnipundong) is pronounced like "dong-nim-oon-dong". The first syllable, 독 (dok), rhymes with "dock". 립 (lip) sounds like "lip". The 'ㅂ' sound at the end of '립' changes to an 'ㅁ' sound when followed by '운' (oon), making it sound like "nim". 운 (un) is like "oon" in "moon". 동 (dong) rhymes with "dong" in "ding-dong".
More Example Sentences
Discussing the educational value of historical events.
독립운동의 역사는 우리에게 많은 교훈을 줍니다.
The history of the independence movement gives us many lessons.
Honoring a historical figure's contributions.
그는 독립운동에 헌신한 위대한 인물입니다.
He is a great figure who dedicated himself to the independence movement.
Sharing an experience from visiting a historical site.
독립운동 기념관에 가서 많은 것을 배웠어요.
I learned a lot by visiting the Independence Movement Memorial Hall.
Cultural Context
The 독립운동 (dongnipundong) is a cornerstone of modern Korean identity, representing the nation's struggle against Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945). It encompasses various forms of resistance, from peaceful protests like the March First Movement (삼일운동) to armed struggles abroad. Figures like Yu Gwan-sun, An Jung-geun, and Kim Gu are revered national heroes whose stories are taught in schools and often depicted in historical dramas, emphasizing their patriotism and sacrifice. Commemorations like 삼일절 (Sam-il-jeol, Independence Movement Day) on March 1st are deeply significant national holidays.
Editorial note
We review entries like 독립운동 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
독립운동 정신
Spirit of the independence movement
독립운동의 역사
History of the independence movement
독립운동에 참여하다
To participate in the independence movement
Related Expressions
독립
dongnip
Independence
독립운동가
dongnipundongga
Independence activist
항일운동
hangilundong
Anti-Japanese movement
광복
gwangbok
Liberation (specifically from Japanese rule)
More Korean History Words
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