Korean Dictionary
How to say "Nun" in Korean
“Nun” in Korean is 수녀 (pronounced "Sunyeo").
수녀
Sunyeo
Usage & Context
Nuns are women who have taken religious vows in Christianity or Buddhism. Korean nuns serve in convents and contribute to religious and social work.
Example Sentence
수녀는 자선 활동을 합니다.
The nun does charitable work.
How to use 수녀 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Nun” is 수녀, romanized as Sunyeo.
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 수녀.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '수' (su), sounds like 'soo' in 'soon'. The second syllable, '녀' (nyeo), sounds like 'nyuh' as in 'Kenya' or 'new-yuh'. Combine them for 'soo-nyuh', with fairly even stress.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
수녀님
sunyeonim
Adding '-님' (nim) makes it explicitly honorific, which is the standard polite address.
More Example Sentences
Describing a nun's charitable work.
수녀님은 고아원에서 아이들을 돌보십니다.
The nun takes care of children at the orphanage.
Seeking guidance or advice from a nun.
성당에서 수녀님을 만나 뵙고 상담을 받았어요.
I met with a nun at the cathedral and received counseling.
Explaining someone's decision to become a nun.
그녀는 평생을 하느님께 바치기로 결심하고 수녀가 되었습니다.
She decided to dedicate her life to God and became a nun.
Cultural Context
수녀 (Sunyeo) refers specifically to a Catholic nun in Korea. Similar to '신부님' for priests, '수녀님' is the polite and common way to address or refer to a nun. Korean Catholic communities are quite active, and nuns often play significant roles in social welfare, education, and healthcare. You might see them in K-dramas set in hospitals or orphanages run by Catholic charities.
Editorial note
We review entries like 수녀 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
수녀님께 인사드리다
To greet the nun (respectful)
수녀님과 기도하다
To pray with the nun
수녀님 말씀
The nun's words/teachings
Related Expressions
수도녀
sudonyeo
Female religious (broader term, less common)
수도원
sudowon
Convent/Monastery (place where nuns/monks live)
수사
susa
Brother (male religious who is not a priest)
성당
seongdang
Catholic church/cathedral
More Religion Words
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