Korean Dictionary
How to say "Serene" in Korean
“Serene” in Korean is 평온하다 (pronounced "Pyeongonhada").
평온하다
Pyeongonhada
Usage & Context
Describes a calm, composed inner state. Often associated with nature, meditation, and spiritual practices. Korean Buddhist temples are described as 평온한 (serene) retreats. More internally focused than 평화롭다 (peaceful).
Example Sentence
명상을 하면 마음이 평온해져요.
Meditation makes my mind feel serene.
How to use 평온하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Serene” is 평온하다, romanized as Pyeongonhada.
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 평온하다.
Pronunciation Guide
평 (Pyeong) sounds like 'pyeong' in 'Pyeongchang', with 'eo' like 'aw' in 'saw'. 온 (on) sounds like 'own' in 'own it'. 하 (ha) is like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
평온합니다
Pyeongonhamnida
Standard formal ending for descriptive verbs.
Casual (반말)
평온해
Pyeongonhae
Standard casual ending for descriptive verbs.
More Example Sentences
Describing a personal routine for mental peace.
아침 일찍 산책을 하면 마음이 평온해져요.
Taking a walk early in the morning makes my mind serene.
Recommending a peaceful location.
이 절은 도시의 소음과 떨어져 있어 정말 평온한 곳이에요.
This temple is away from the city noise, truly a serene place.
Expressing a parent's feeling.
아이가 잠든 모습을 보면 저절로 평온해져요.
When I see my child sleeping, I naturally feel serene.
Cultural Context
평온하다 emphasizes an internal, calm, and stable state of mind or environment. It's often used in contexts related to meditation, nature, or finding inner peace. Unlike 평화롭다 (peaceful), which can describe external peace (e.g., a peaceful country), 평온하다 is more about a tranquil, undisturbed feeling within oneself or a place that fosters such a feeling. Many K-dramas feature characters seeking '평온' after overcoming difficulties.
Editorial note
We review entries like 평온하다 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
마음이 평온하다
(My) mind is serene
평온한 분위기
Serene atmosphere
평온을 찾다
To find serenity
Related Expressions
평화롭다
Pyeonghwaropda
Peaceful (can be external or internal)
고요하다
Goyohada
Quiet, still, tranquil (often refers to sound or movement)
차분하다
Chabunhada
Calm, composed (often refers to a person's demeanor)
불안하다
Buranhada
Anxious, uneasy (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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