Korean Dictionary
How to say "Priest" in Korean
“Priest” in Korean is 신부 (pronounced "Sinbu").
신부
Sinbu
Usage & Context
Priests are ordained clergy in Christianity who lead religious services and administer sacraments. Korean priests play important roles in their parishes.
Example Sentence
신부님은 미사를 집전합니다.
The priest celebrates mass.
How to use 신부 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Priest” is 신부, romanized as Sinbu.
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 신부.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '신' (sin), sounds like 'shin' in 'shinbone'. The second syllable, '부' (bu), sounds like 'boo' in 'boo-hoo'. Combine them for 'shin-boo', with fairly even stress.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
신부님
sinbunim
Adding '-님' (nim) is the standard polite address and reference for a Catholic priest.
More Example Sentences
Describing a priest's regular duty.
신부님은 매주 일요일 미사를 집전하십니다.
The priest celebrates Mass every Sunday.
Engaging in a religious practice.
고해성사를 위해 신부님을 찾아뵈었어요.
I visited the priest for confession.
Recounting a significant life event.
신부님께서 저희 결혼식을 주례해주셨습니다.
The priest officiated our wedding.
Cultural Context
신부 (Sinbu) specifically refers to a Catholic priest in Korea. The honorific '신부님' is almost universally used when addressing or referring to a priest, reflecting the deep respect for clergy in Korean Catholic culture. Catholic churches ('성당') are common throughout Korea, and priests are central figures in their communities, often involved in various social and educational activities. K-dramas sometimes feature Catholic characters, and you'll always hear them refer to priests as '신부님'.
Editorial note
We review entries like 신부 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
신부님께 인사드리다
To greet the priest (respectful)
신부님과 상담하다
To consult with the priest
신부님 강론
Priest's homily/sermon
Related Expressions
사제
saje
Clergyman/Priest (more formal, general term)
성당
seongdang
Catholic church/cathedral
수녀
sunyeo
Nun (female Catholic religious)
미사
misa
Mass (Catholic service)
More Religion Words
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