Korean Dictionary
How to say "Praise" in Korean
“Praise” in Korean is 칭찬 (pronounced "Chingchan").
칭찬
Chingchan
Usage & Context
Expressing approval and encouragement for good behavior. Korean parents are increasingly using positive reinforcement alongside traditional discipline.
Example Sentence
아이를 칭찬하는 것이 중요합니다.
It is important to praise children.
How to use 칭찬 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Praise” is 칭찬, romanized as Chingchan.
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 칭찬.
Pronunciation Guide
칭 (ching) sounds like 'ching' as in the sound of coins. 찬 (chan) is like 'chahn' as in 'chant' but without the 't' sound at the end. The pronunciation is smooth, with no particular stress on either syllable.
More Example Sentences
A student talking about their school day.
선생님께 칭찬을 받아서 기분이 좋았어요.
I felt good after receiving praise from the teacher.
A parenting tip from a magazine or expert.
아이의 작은 노력에도 칭찬을 아끼지 마세요.
Don't hold back praise even for a child's small efforts.
Describing someone's motivation at work.
그는 동료들의 칭찬에 힘을 얻었습니다.
He gained strength from his colleagues' praise.
Cultural Context
While traditionally, overt praise might have been less common in Korean culture, especially from elders to younger individuals, modern parenting and workplace cultures are increasingly embracing positive reinforcement. Parents are encouraged to praise their children more, moving away from a sole focus on correcting mistakes. In K-pop, fans often shower idols with '칭찬' for their hard work and talent.
Editorial note
We review entries like 칭찬 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
칭찬을 아끼지 않다
not to spare praise
칭찬이 자자하다
to be highly praised
칭찬 스티커
praise sticker (reward sticker for children)
Related Expressions
격려
gyeongnyeo
encouragement
칭찬하다
chingchanhada
to praise
칭찬받다
chingchanbatda
to be praised
칭찬 일색
chingchan ilsaek
full of praise
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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