Korean Dictionary
How to say "Nirvana" in Korean
“Nirvana” in Korean is 열반 (pronounced "Yeolban").
열반
Yeolban
Usage & Context
Nirvana is the ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Korean Buddhists aspire to achieve nirvana.
Example Sentence
열반은 불교의 최고의 목표입니다.
Nirvana is the highest goal in Buddhism.
How to use 열반 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Nirvana” is 열반, romanized as Yeolban.
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 열반.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 열 (yeol), sounds like 'yul' in 'yule log.' The second syllable, 반 (ban), sounds like 'bahn' in 'bahn mi.' Both syllables are pronounced with even stress.
More Example Sentences
Describing the ultimate aspiration of Buddhist practitioners.
불교 신자들은 열반에 이르기를 소망합니다.
Buddhist believers hope to reach nirvana.
Highlighting a monk's lifelong dedication to spiritual enlightenment.
그 스님은 평생 열반을 위해 수행했어요.
That monk practiced his whole life for nirvana.
Explaining the fundamental aim of Buddhist philosophy.
고통에서 벗어나 열반을 얻는 것이 목표입니다.
The goal is to escape suffering and attain nirvana.
Cultural Context
'열반' (yeolban) is a central concept in Korean Buddhism, representing the ultimate state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. When a revered Buddhist monk (스님, seunim) passes away, it is often respectfully referred to as '입적' (ipjeok) or '열반에 들다' (yeolban-e deulda), meaning they have 'entered nirvana.' While a profound religious term, it's less commonly used in everyday secular conversation compared to '업' or '내세,' typically appearing in contexts related to Buddhist practice, philosophy, or the passing of spiritual leaders.
Editorial note
We review entries like 열반 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
열반에 이르다
to reach nirvana
열반을 얻다
to attain nirvana
열반의 경지
the state of nirvana
Related Expressions
해탈
haetal
liberation, enlightenment
깨달음
kkaedareum
enlightenment
열반에 들다
yeolban-e deulda
to enter nirvana (often used for a monk's death)
극락
geungnak
pure land, paradise (Buddhist concept)
More Religion Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Nirvana and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
