Korean Dictionary
How to say "Mask Dance" in Korean
“Mask Dance” in Korean is 탈춤 (pronounced "talchum").
탈춤
talchum
Usage & Context
탈춤 is traditional Korean masked dance drama that satirizes the ruling class and celebrates folk culture. The Andong Hahoe Mask Dance (하회 탈춤) is one of the most famous forms and was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. 탈춤 is performed at festivals and cultural events across Korea as a living tradition.
Example Sentence
안동 탈춤 축제에서 전통 탈춤 공연을 봤어요.
I watched a traditional mask dance performance at the Andong Mask Dance Festival.
How to use 탈춤 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Mask Dance” is 탈춤, romanized as talchum.
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 탈춤.
Pronunciation Guide
탈 (tal) sounds like 'tall' in English. 춤 (chum) sounds like 'chum' (as in a friend) but with a slightly tighter 'oo' sound, like in 'book'. Stress is fairly even on both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Explaining the cultural significance of mask dance.
탈춤은 한국의 중요한 무형문화유산이에요.
Talchum is an important intangible cultural heritage of Korea.
Recalling a childhood activity or hobby.
어릴 때 탈춤을 배우러 다녔어요.
When I was young, I went to learn talchum.
Suggesting a cultural outing with a friend.
이번 주말에 탈춤 공연 보러 갈까요?
Shall we go see a talchum performance this weekend?
Cultural Context
탈춤 (Talchum) is more than just a dance; it's a dramatic performance often incorporating satire, humor, and social commentary. The masks themselves are highly symbolic, representing different characters like aristocrats, monks, or commoners. Many regions have their unique styles, with the Hahoe Talchum (하회 탈춤) from Andong being particularly famous and recognized by UNESCO. Watching a talchum performance is a vibrant way to experience traditional Korean folk culture, often accompanied by lively pungmul music.
Editorial note
We review entries like 탈춤 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
탈춤 공연
mask dance performance
탈춤 축제
mask dance festival
탈춤을 추다
to perform a mask dance
Related Expressions
하회 탈춤
Hahoe talchum
Hahoe Mask Dance (a specific famous type)
전통춤
jeontongchum
Traditional dance (broader category)
민속놀이
minsoknori
Folk games/play (related cultural activities)
풍물놀이
pungmulnori
Farmer's music performance (often accompanies talchum)
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