Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ritual" in Korean
“Ritual” in Korean is 의식 (pronounced "Uisik").
의식
Uisik
Usage & Context
Rituals are formal religious ceremonies performed according to tradition. Korean rituals are important for maintaining spiritual connection and honoring traditions.
Example Sentence
종교 의식에 참여합니다.
I participate in religious rituals.
How to use 의식 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ritual” is 의식, romanized as Uisik.
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 의식.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 의 (ui), is a diphthong starting like 'oo' in 'moon' and quickly transitioning to 'ee' in 'see'. The second syllable, 식 (sik), sounds like 'sick'. Combine as 'oo-ee-sik'.
More Example Sentences
Describing a wedding.
결혼 의식은 엄숙한 분위기 속에서 진행되었습니다.
The wedding ceremony proceeded in a solemn atmosphere.
Talking about annual traditions.
매년 이맘때쯤 전통 의식을 치러요.
We perform traditional rituals around this time every year.
Describing someone fainting (using '의식' as 'consciousness').
그는 의식을 잃고 쓰러졌어요.
He lost consciousness and collapsed.
Cultural Context
의식 (uisik) has two primary meanings: 'ritual/ceremony' and 'consciousness'. In a religious context, it refers to formal ceremonies like ancestral rites (제사), Buddhist ceremonies, or Christian services. It's a broad term for any structured event with symbolic meaning. It's crucial to understand the context, as '의식을 잃다' (uisigeul ilta) means 'to lose consciousness', a very common usage in daily life.
Editorial note
We review entries like 의식 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
의식을 거행하다
To perform a ceremony/ritual
의식에 참여하다
To participate in a ritual/ceremony
의식을 잃다
To lose consciousness
Related Expressions
의례
uirye
Rite, ceremony (similar to 의식, often more formal/traditional)
행사
haengsa
Event, function (broader, less spiritual)
예식
yesik
Ceremony (often used for weddings, funerals)
제례
jerye
Ancestral rite (specific type of ritual)
More Religion Words
Related Articles
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Ritual and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
