Korean Dictionary
How to say "Pansori" in Korean
“Pansori” in Korean is 판소리 (pronounced "Pansori").
판소리
Pansori
Usage & Context
A traditional Korean narrative musical genre performed by a singer and drummer. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The singer (소리꾼, sorikkun) performs hours-long dramatic narrative songs. Famous works include Chunhyangga and Simcheongga. Its soulful vocals have influenced modern Korean music.
Example Sentence
판소리는 유네스코 무형문화유산으로 지정됐어요.
Pansori has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
How to use 판소리 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Pansori” is 판소리, romanized as Pansori.
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 판소리.
Pronunciation Guide
판 (Pan) sounds like 'pan' in 'pantry'. 소 (so) sounds like 'so' in 'soda'. 리 (ri) sounds like 'ree' in 'reel'. Put them together: 'Pahn-so-ree'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Explaining the performance setup to someone unfamiliar with pansori.
판소리는 한 명의 소리꾼과 한 명의 고수(북 치는 사람)가 공연해요.
Pansori is performed by one singer (sorikkun) and one drummer (gosu).
Mentioning a well-known pansori work in a cultural discussion.
춘향가는 가장 유명한 판소리 다섯 마당 중 하나예요.
Chunhyangga is one of the five most famous pansori stories.
Describing the emotional impact of pansori after a performance.
판소리의 웅장한 소리는 듣는 이의 마음을 울려요.
The grand sound of pansori resonates deeply with listeners.
Cultural Context
판소리 (Pansori) is a traditional Korean narrative musical genre, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It's a dramatic storytelling performance where a single vocalist, called a 소리꾼 (sorikkun), sings and narrates an epic story, accompanied by a drummer (고수, gosu) who provides rhythmic support and vocal interjections (추임새, chuimsae). Pansori pieces, often lasting for hours, convey a wide range of emotions and social commentary. Its soulful, powerful vocals and dramatic narratives have profoundly influenced modern Korean music and continue to be a cherished part of Korea's artistic heritage, often seen in historical K-dramas or cultural performances.
Editorial note
We review entries like 판소리 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
판소리 한 대목 들어볼까?
Shall we listen to a part of pansori?
판소리는 한국의 얼이 담겨 있어요.
Pansori contains the spirit of Korea.
유네스코에 등재된 판소리.
Pansori, registered with UNESCO.
Related Expressions
소리꾼
Sorikkun
Pansori singer
고수
Gosu
Pansori drummer
추임새
Chuimsae
Exclamations of encouragement from the drummer or audience
창
Chang
Singing/Vocal part (in traditional music)
More Culture Words
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