Korean Dictionary
How to say "Jazz" in Korean
“Jazz” in Korean is 재즈 (pronounced "Jaejeu").
재즈
Jaejeu
Usage & Context
A music genre featuring improvisation and complex harmonies. Appreciated by music enthusiasts in Korea.
Example Sentence
재즈를 들어요.
I listen to jazz.
How to use 재즈 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Jazz” is 재즈, romanized as Jaejeu.
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 재즈.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 재 (Jae), sounds like 'Jae' in 'Jason' or 'J' in 'jam' followed by 'eh' as in 'bed'. The second syllable, 즈 (jeu), sounds like 'jeu' in 'pleasure' or 'measure', with a soft 'z' sound followed by a short 'uh' sound. The 'z' is softer than in English. Put it together as JAE-jeu.
More Example Sentences
Describing a local cafe's evening entertainment
이 카페는 밤에 재즈 공연을 해요.
This cafe has jazz performances at night.
Sharing personal preference for relaxation
저는 재즈 음악을 들으면 마음이 편안해져요.
My mind feels at ease when I listen to jazz music.
Discussing the rise of Korean artists
요즘 한국 재즈 뮤지션들이 세계적으로 주목받고 있어요.
Recently, Korean jazz musicians are gaining global attention.
Cultural Context
Jazz, while not traditionally Korean, has a dedicated following in South Korea. Many upscale cafes and bars, especially in areas like Hongdae or Gangnam, feature live jazz performances, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. There are also several popular jazz festivals throughout the year, attracting both local and international artists and fans. Korean jazz artists like Youn Sun Nah have gained international acclaim.
Editorial note
We review entries like 재즈 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
재즈 좋아하세요?
Do you like jazz?
재즈 들으러 갈까요?
Shall we go listen to jazz?
재즈 바에 가봤어요?
Have you been to a jazz bar?
Related Expressions
재즈 클럽
jaejeu keulleop
Jazz club
재즈 페스티벌
jaejeu pesitibeol
Jazz festival
라이브 음악
raibeu eumak
Live music
즉흥 연주
jeukheung yeonju
Improvisation
More Music Words
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