Korean Dictionary
How to say "Positive Psychology" in Korean
“Positive Psychology” in Korean is 긍정 심리학 (pronounced "geungjeong simrihak").
긍정 심리학
geungjeong simrihak
Usage & Context
Positive psychology focuses on strengths and factors that make life worth living. The field has grown in Korea with books and programs promoting 긍정 심리학 principles for happiness and flourishing.
Example Sentence
긍정 심리학은 행복과 강점에 초점을 맞춘 학문이다.
Positive psychology is a field that focuses on happiness and strengths.
How to use 긍정 심리학 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Positive Psychology” is 긍정 심리학, romanized as geungjeong simrihak.
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 긍정 심리학.
Pronunciation Guide
For 긍정 (geungjeong), 'geung' sounds like 'goong' in 'gung-ho', and 'jeong' like 'jung' in 'jungle'. For 심리학 (simrihak), 'sim' sounds like 'shim' in 'shimmy', 'ri' like 'ree', and 'hak' like 'hack'. The 'g' in 'geung' and 'j' in 'jeong' are soft.
More Example Sentences
Discussing popular science books with a friend.
요즘 긍정 심리학 관련 책들이 많이 나와요.
Many books related to positive psychology are coming out these days.
Explaining the field to someone unfamiliar with it.
긍정 심리학은 우리의 삶을 더 행복하게 만들 수 있다고 가르쳐요.
Positive psychology teaches that it can make our lives happier.
A student talking about their academic goals.
대학원에서 긍정 심리학을 전공하고 싶어요.
I want to major in positive psychology in graduate school.
Cultural Context
While Korean society has traditionally emphasized resilience and overcoming hardships (극복, 'geukbok'), the concept of '긍정 심리학' has gained significant traction, particularly among younger generations seeking personal growth and happiness beyond material success. Many self-help books and motivational speakers in Korea now incorporate principles of positive psychology, encouraging gratitude, mindfulness, and focusing on strengths. It's seen as a modern approach to mental well-being, contrasting with older, more stoic views.
Editorial note
We review entries like 긍정 심리학 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
긍정 심리학 연구
positive psychology research
긍정 심리학 전문가
positive psychology expert
긍정 심리학 원리
positive psychology principles
Related Expressions
행복론
haengbongnon
theory of happiness
자기 계발
jagi gyebal
self-development
긍정적 사고
geungjeongjeok sago
positive thinking
심리 치료
simni chiryo
psychotherapy
More Mental Health & Wellness Words
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