Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sin" in Korean
“Sin” in Korean is 죄 (pronounced "Jwe").
죄
Jwe
Usage & Context
Sin refers to transgression against religious law or morality. In Korean Christianity, sin is a central concept in salvation theology.
Example Sentence
죄를 회개합니다.
I repent of my sins.
How to use 죄 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sin” is 죄, romanized as Jwe.
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 죄.
Pronunciation Guide
The word '죄' (Jwe) is a single syllable. It sounds like 'jway' in English, similar to the beginning of 'jewelry' or 'jelly' followed by 'way'.
More Example Sentences
Describing someone's remorse for wrongdoing.
그는 자신의 죄를 깊이 뉘우쳤습니다.
He deeply repented of his sins.
Discussing the human condition from a religious perspective.
모든 인간은 죄를 지을 수 있습니다.
All humans can commit sin.
Quoting a religious scripture or teaching.
죄의 대가는 죽음입니다.
The wages of sin is death.
Cultural Context
죄 (jwe) is a central concept in Korean Christianity, referring to a transgression against divine law or moral principles. While general wrongdoings might be called '잘못' (jalmot - mistake/wrongdoing), '죄' specifically carries a religious or theological weight, implying a separation from God or a violation of sacred commands. It's less commonly used in everyday secular conversation to describe minor errors, but its meaning is immediately understood in any religious context, especially in churches, where repentance and forgiveness of '죄' are key themes.
Editorial note
We review entries like 죄 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
죄를 짓다
to commit a sin
죄를 용서하다
to forgive a sin
원죄
original sin
Related Expressions
회개
hoegae
repentance
벌
beol
punishment
악
ak
evil
잘못
jalmot
mistake, wrongdoing (more general)
More Religion Words
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