Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ink painting" in Korean
“Ink painting” in Korean is 수묵화 (pronounced "Sumukwhwa").
수묵화
Sumukwhwa
Usage & Context
Traditional East Asian painting technique using ink and brush. Important in Korean artistic heritage.
Example Sentence
수묵화는 한국 미술의 전통입니다.
Ink painting is a tradition in Korean art.
How to use 수묵화 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ink painting” is 수묵화, romanized as Sumukwhwa.
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 수묵화.
Pronunciation Guide
수 (su) sounds like 'soo' as in 'soon'. 묵 (muk) sounds like 'mook' as in 'book'. 화 (hwa) sounds like 'hwa' as in 'flower' but without the 'f'. Put it together: 'Soo-mook-hwa'.
More Example Sentences
Visiting a museum.
박물관에서 아름다운 옛 수묵화를 감상했어요.
I admired beautiful old ink paintings at the museum.
Talking about a hobby or personal experience.
수묵화 수업을 들으면서 마음의 평화를 찾았어요.
I found peace of mind while taking an ink painting class.
Describing an artwork.
이 그림은 현대적인 감각이 더해진 수묵화예요.
This painting is an ink painting with a modern touch.
Cultural Context
'수묵화' (sumukwhwa) is a traditional East Asian art form, deeply rooted in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese artistic heritage. It emphasizes the beauty of black ink on white paper or silk, using varying shades and brushstrokes to create depth and texture. Often depicting landscapes, flora (like the '사군자' sagunja, Four Gracious Plants), and sometimes figures, it's not just about the painting technique but also the philosophy and spirit of the artist. It remains an important part of Korean art education and appreciation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 수묵화 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
수묵화를 그리다
To paint an ink painting
전통 수묵화
Traditional ink painting
수묵화 전시회
Ink painting exhibition
Related Expressions
동양화
dongyanghwa
East Asian painting (broader category)
서예
seoye
Calligraphy
붓
but
Brush (for painting/calligraphy)
먹
meok
Ink stick (traditional ink)
More Art & Design Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Ink painting and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
