Korean Dictionary
How to say "Pope" in Korean
“Pope” in Korean is 교황 (pronounced "Gyohwang").
교황
Gyohwang
Usage & Context
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. Korean Catholics revere the Pope as the spiritual leader of their faith.
Example Sentence
교황은 가톨릭의 지도자입니다.
The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church.
How to use 교황 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Pope” is 교황, romanized as Gyohwang.
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 교황.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'Gyo', sounds like 'geo' in 'geography' but with a 'y' sound, similar to 'gyo' in 'gyoza'. The second syllable, 'hwang', rhymes with 'hwah-ng' where 'hwah' is like 'wah' but with a soft 'h' sound. The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Recalling a past significant event like a papal visit.
교황께서 한국을 방문하셨을 때 많은 사람들이 환영했어요.
When the Pope visited Korea, many people welcomed him.
Describing the reverence and attention given to the Pope's words.
가톨릭 신자들은 교황의 메시지에 귀 기울입니다.
Catholic believers listen carefully to the Pope's message.
Discussing the historical impact of the papacy.
역사적으로 교황은 서구 사회에 큰 영향을 미쳤습니다.
Historically, the Pope has had a great influence on Western society.
Cultural Context
South Korea has a significant and active Catholic population. Papal visits, such as Pope Francis's visit in 2014, are major national events, drawing immense crowds and media attention. For Korean Catholics, the Pope is not just a religious leader but a revered spiritual father and a symbol of peace and hope, often referred to with deep respect.
Editorial note
We review entries like 교황 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
교황 방한
Papal visit to Korea
교황 미사
Papal Mass
교황 성하
His Holiness the Pope (formal address)
Related Expressions
천주교
Cheonjugyo
Catholicism
주교
Jugyo
Bishop
사제
Saje
Priest
성직자
Seongjikja
Clergy
More Religion Words
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