Korean Dictionary
How to say "Emperor Gojong" in Korean
“Emperor Gojong” in Korean is 고종 (pronounced "gojong").
고종
gojong
Usage & Context
Gojong was the last king of Joseon and first emperor of the Korean Empire (1897–1907). He attempted to modernize Korea and resist Japanese encroachment. His declaration of the Korean Empire was a political move to assert Korean sovereignty.
Example Sentence
고종은 대한제국을 선포한 황제예요.
Gojong is the emperor who proclaimed the Korean Empire.
How to use 고종 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Emperor Gojong” is 고종, romanized as gojong.
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 고종.
Pronunciation Guide
고 (go) sounds like the English word 'go'. 종 (jong) sounds like 'jong' in 'jongleur' or 'pong'. Combine them as GO-jong, with an even stress on both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Discussing his political actions and aspirations.
고종 황제는 대한제국을 선포하고 자주 독립을 꾀했습니다.
Emperor Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire and sought independent sovereignty.
Talking about how historical figures are portrayed in media.
역사 드라마에서 고종 황제 역할은 항상 중요하게 다뤄져요.
The role of Emperor Gojong is always treated importantly in historical dramas.
Reflecting on his life and the challenges he faced.
고종은 격동의 시대를 살았던 비운의 황제입니다.
Gojong was an unfortunate emperor who lived through a turbulent era.
Cultural Context
Emperor Gojong (고종) is a pivotal and often tragic figure in Korean history, being the last king of Joseon and the first emperor of the Korean Empire. He reigned during a tumultuous period marked by intense foreign encroachment, particularly from Japan. His efforts to modernize Korea and assert its sovereignty, such as declaring the Korean Empire and sending envoys to The Hague, are seen as desperate attempts to preserve national independence. He is frequently depicted in historical dramas, highlighting his struggles and the dramatic end of an era.
Editorial note
We review entries like 고종 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
고종 황제
Emperor Gojong
고종 시대
Gojong era
고종의 개혁
Gojong's reforms
Related Expressions
대한제국
Daehanjeguk
Korean Empire
명성황후
Myeongseong Hwanghu
Empress Myeongseong (his wife)
조선
Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
황제
hwangje
emperor
More Korean History Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Emperor Gojong and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
