Korean Dictionary
How to say "Spirit" in Korean
“Spirit” in Korean is 영혼 (pronounced "Yeonghon").
영혼
Yeonghon
Usage & Context
Spirit refers to the non-physical essence of a being. In Korean shamanism and folk religion, spirits play important roles in daily life and rituals.
Example Sentence
영혼은 육체를 떠난다고 믿습니다.
I believe the spirit leaves the body.
How to use 영혼 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Spirit” is 영혼, romanized as Yeonghon.
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 영혼.
Pronunciation Guide
For '영혼', '영' sounds like 'young' in English. '혼' sounds like 'hone' (as in to hone a skill). Put them together: 'young-hone'.
More Example Sentences
Describing the emotional impact of music.
그의 음악은 영혼을 울려요.
His music moves the soul/spirit.
Referring to a memorial or ritual.
죽은 자의 영혼을 기리다.
To honor the spirit of the deceased.
Describing someone's personality.
그는 자유로운 영혼을 가졌어요.
He has a free spirit.
Cultural Context
'영혼' generally refers to the non-physical essence of a living being or the departed. In Korean shamanism (무속신앙, musoksinang), the concept of spirits is central, with shamans (무당, mudang) often acting as intermediaries between humans and spirits. Ancestral spirits (조상신, josangsin) are particularly important, and their well-being is believed to influence the living. This concept is often explored in historical K-dramas or fantasy series.
Editorial note
We review entries like 영혼 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
영혼을 바치다
To dedicate one's soul/spirit
영혼 없는 연기
Soulless acting (lacking emotion)
영혼의 안식처
A resting place for the soul
Related Expressions
혼
Hon
Soul (often used interchangeably with 영혼, or for a more specific 'essence')
귀신
Gwishin
Ghost, evil spirit
정신
Jeongsin
Mind, consciousness, mental state
영
Yeong
Spirit (often as a component in other words, e.g., 성령 - Holy Spirit)
More Religion Words
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