Korean Dictionary
How to say "Modern art" in Korean
“Modern art” in Korean is 현대 미술 (pronounced "Hyeondae misul").
현대 미술
Hyeondae misul
Usage & Context
Art from the late 19th to mid-20th century. Important period in Korean art development and cultural identity.
Example Sentence
현대 미술은 다양한 스타일을 포함합니다.
Modern art includes various styles.
How to use 현대 미술 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Modern art” is 현대 미술, romanized as Hyeondae misul.
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 현대 미술.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '현' (hyeon), sounds like 'hyun' as in 'Hyundai' (the car brand). '대' (dae) sounds like 'day' as in 'day-time'. '미' (mi) sounds like 'me'. '술' (sul) sounds like 'sool' as in 'pool' but with an 's'. Put them together: 'Hyun-day mee-sool'.
More Example Sentences
Visiting a museum or art gallery.
서울시립미술관에서는 다양한 현대 미술 작품을 볼 수 있습니다.
You can see various modern art pieces at the Seoul Museum of Art.
Discussing art history or movements.
현대 미술은 전통적인 예술의 경계를 허물었습니다.
Modern art broke down the boundaries of traditional art.
Talking about art market trends or new artists.
그는 현대 미술 시장에서 떠오르는 작가입니다.
He is an emerging artist in the modern art market.
Cultural Context
'현대 미술' (hyeondae misul) in Korea generally refers to art from the late 19th to mid-20th century, a pivotal period when Korean artists began to engage with Western art movements while also striving to develop a unique national artistic identity. This era saw the emergence of significant Korean artists who blended traditional aesthetics with modern techniques. Institutions like the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Korea are dedicated to showcasing and preserving '현대 미술' alongside contemporary works, reflecting Korea's evolving artistic landscape.
Editorial note
We review entries like 현대 미술 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
현대 미술 전시회
modern art exhibition
현대 미술 작품
modern art piece
현대 미술관
modern art museum
Related Expressions
동시대 미술
dongsidai misul
contemporary art (often used interchangeably but technically distinct)
전통 미술
jeontong misul
traditional art (antonym)
미술사
misulsa
art history
아방가르드
abanggareudeu
avant-garde
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