Korean Dictionary
How to say "National Anthem" in Korean
“National Anthem” in Korean is 애국가 (pronounced "aegukga").
애국가
aegukga
Usage & Context
애국가 is the national anthem of South Korea and is sung at major national ceremonies and sporting events. The lyrics of 애국가 express love for the Korean homeland, mountains, and people. On national holidays Koreans stand at attention when 애국가 is played as a mark of patriotism and respect.
Example Sentence
국경일 행사에서 애국가를 불렀어요.
We sang the national anthem at the national holiday ceremony.
How to use 애국가 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “National Anthem” is 애국가, romanized as aegukga.
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 애국가.
Pronunciation Guide
애 (ae) sounds like 'eh' in 'bed' or 'air' without the 'r'. 국 (guk) sounds like 'gook' in 'cookie' but shorter and sharper, with a 'k' sound at the end. 가 (ga) sounds like 'gah' in 'gah-gah'. Overall, 'ae-guk-ga'.
More Example Sentences
Describing a sporting event.
월드컵 경기 전에 선수들과 관중들이 애국가를 불렀어요.
Before the World Cup match, players and spectators sang the national anthem.
Referring to a school or formal assembly.
아침 조회 시간에 애국가를 제창했어요.
We sang the national anthem in unison during the morning assembly.
Discussing a cultural expectation or basic knowledge.
애국가 가사를 외우는 건 한국인이라면 기본이죠.
Memorizing the lyrics of the national anthem is basic for Koreans.
Cultural Context
애국가 is the national anthem of South Korea, a powerful symbol of national identity and patriotism. It is sung at all major national ceremonies, sporting events, and often in schools. When the anthem is played, Koreans typically stand at attention, often with their right hand over their heart, as a mark of respect. The lyrics, which express love for the homeland and its people, are taught from a young age, fostering a strong sense of national pride.
Editorial note
We review entries like 애국가 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
애국가를 부르다
To sing the national anthem
애국가 제창
Singing the national anthem in unison
애국가 1절
The first verse of the national anthem
Related Expressions
국가
gukga
Nation, country
국기
gukgi
National flag
국민의례
gungmin uirye
National ceremony/ritual
국가 상징
gukga sangjing
National symbol
More Holidays & Festivals Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice National Anthem and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
