Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sky" in Korean
“Sky” in Korean is 하늘 (pronounced "Haneul").
하늘
Haneul
Usage & Context
The sky above. 하늘 is also used in names and poetic language. Korean autumn skies (가을 하늘) are famously clear and blue — a sharp contrast to the hazy summer and dusty spring skies. 하늘이 참 맑다 (the sky is so clear) is a common exclamation on beautiful days. 미세먼지 (fine dust) can cloud urban skies.
Example Sentence
오늘 하늘이 정말 맑고 파래요.
The sky today is really clear and blue.
How to use 하늘 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sky” is 하늘, romanized as Haneul.
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 하늘.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Ha' like the 'hah' in 'haha'. 'Neul' sounds similar to 'null' but with a softer 'n' and the 'eu' vowel like the 'uh' in 'duh', followed by a light 'l' sound.
More Example Sentences
Looking at the sky at night.
밤하늘에 별이 정말 많아요.
There are so many stars in the night sky.
Complimenting someone's outfit.
하늘색 옷이 잘 어울리네요.
Sky-blue clothes suit you well.
Observing an airplane.
비행기가 하늘을 가로질러 날아가요.
An airplane flies across the sky.
Cultural Context
하늘 (haneul) is more than just 'sky'; it often carries connotations of 'heaven' or 'the heavens,' reflecting a traditional worldview where the sky is a sacred realm. This is evident in phrases like '하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍이 있다' (Even if the sky falls, there's a hole to escape through), meaning 'there's always a way out.' Korean autumn skies (가을 하늘) are particularly famous for their crisp, clear blue, a stark contrast to the often hazy spring and summer skies, making '가을 하늘' a beloved poetic image.
Editorial note
We review entries like 하늘 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
하늘이 맑다
The sky is clear.
하늘을 날다
To fly in the sky.
하늘과 땅 차이
Heaven and earth difference (a huge difference).
Related Expressions
구름
gureum
Cloud
별
byeol
Star
하늘색
haneulsaek
Sky blue
천국
cheon-guk
Heaven (more religious/spiritual)
More Nature Words
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