Korean Dictionary
How to say "Prayer beads" in Korean
“Prayer beads” in Korean is 염주 (pronounced "Yeomju").
염주
Yeomju
Usage & Context
Prayer beads are used in Buddhist practice for counting mantras and prayers. Korean Buddhists use prayer beads during meditation.
Example Sentence
염주를 들고 명상합니다.
I meditate while holding prayer beads.
How to use 염주 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Prayer beads” is 염주, romanized as Yeomju.
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 염주.
Pronunciation Guide
염 (Yeom) sounds like 'yuhm' in 'yum-yum'. 주 (ju) sounds like 'joo' in 'juice'. Combine them as 'Yuhm-joo' with even stress.
More Example Sentences
Observing a monk's religious practice.
스님은 염주를 돌리며 불경을 외우셨어요.
The monk recited sutras while turning his prayer beads.
Purchasing a religious item at a Buddhist temple.
절에서 염주를 하나 샀어요.
I bought a set of prayer beads at the temple.
Explaining the symbolic meaning of prayer beads.
이 염주는 백팔번뇌를 상징해요.
These prayer beads symbolize the 108 worldly desires.
Cultural Context
염주 (yeomju) refers specifically to Buddhist prayer beads in Korea, distinct from Catholic rosaries (묵주). They typically consist of 108 beads, symbolizing the 108 worldly desires (백팔번뇌, baekpalbeonnoe) that Buddhists aim to overcome. They are commonly seen in Buddhist temples (절, jeol) and are used by monks (스님, seunim) and devout practitioners for counting mantras or prostrations during meditation and prayer.
Editorial note
We review entries like 염주 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
염주를 굴리다
To roll/turn prayer beads
염주를 착용하다
To wear prayer beads
백팔 염주
108-bead prayer beads
Related Expressions
불경
bulgyeong
Buddhist sutra
절
jeol
Buddhist temple
불교
bulgyo
Buddhism
명상
myeongsan
Meditation
More Religion Words
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