Korean Dictionary
How to say "Self-esteem" in Korean
“Self-esteem” in Korean is 자존감 (pronounced "Jajongam").
자존감
Jajongam
Usage & Context
A child's confidence in their own worth. Building self-esteem is important for healthy child development.
Example Sentence
자존감은 아이의 성장에 중요합니다.
Self-esteem is important for children's growth.
How to use 자존감 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Self-esteem” is 자존감, romanized as Jajongam.
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 자존감.
Pronunciation Guide
For 자존감 (Jajongam), 'Ja' sounds like 'jah' in 'jar.' 'Jon' is like 'john.' 'Gam' is like 'gum' in English. The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
Expressing feelings after a personal setback or failure.
시험에 떨어져서 자존감이 많이 낮아졌어요.
My self-esteem dropped a lot after failing the exam.
Giving advice on positive parenting practices.
부모는 아이의 자존감을 높여주는 것이 중요해요.
It's important for parents to boost their child's self-esteem.
Observing and describing characteristics of confident individuals.
자존감이 높은 사람은 자신감이 넘쳐 보여요.
People with high self-esteem often look very confident.
Cultural Context
In Korean society, where comparison and competition can be intense, maintaining healthy self-esteem is a significant topic. There's a strong emphasis on group harmony and collective identity, which can sometimes make individual self-worth feel secondary. However, modern parenting and self-help culture increasingly highlight the importance of building a strong '자존감' for mental well-being and personal success, moving away from solely external validation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 자존감 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
자존감이 높다
To have high self-esteem
자존감이 낮다
To have low self-esteem
자존감을 키우다
To build self-esteem
Related Expressions
자신감
jasin-gam
Confidence
열등감
yeoldeung-gam
Inferiority complex
자아 존중
jaa jonjung
Self-respect
자기애
jagi-ae
Self-love
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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