Korean Dictionary
How to say "Surrealism" in Korean
“Surrealism” in Korean is 초현실주의 (pronounced "Chohyeonsiljuui").
초현실주의
Chohyeonsiljuui
Usage & Context
An art movement exploring the unconscious mind and dreams. Studied in Korean art history and practiced by contemporary artists.
Example Sentence
초현실주의는 꿈의 세계를 표현합니다.
Surrealism expresses the world of dreams.
How to use 초현실주의 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Surrealism” is 초현실주의, romanized as Chohyeonsiljuui.
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 초현실주의.
Pronunciation Guide
'초현실주의' (Cho-hyeon-sil-ju-ui) can be broken down as: 'Cho' like 'cho' in 'chocolate', 'hyeon' like 'hyun' in 'Hyun-jin', 'sil' like 'sill' (as in 'window sill'), 'ju' like 'joo' (as in 'juice'), and 'ui' is a bit tricky, often pronounced like 'ee' or 'i' in rapid speech, but technically closer to 'oo-ee'. The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
Stating a historical fact about the movement.
초현실주의는 20세기 초 유럽에서 시작되었습니다.
Surrealism began in early 20th-century Europe.
Describing a film with dreamlike imagery.
그 영화는 초현실주의적인 장면들로 가득했어요.
That movie was full of surrealist scenes.
Explaining the focus of surrealist artists.
초현실주의 화가들은 무의식을 탐구했습니다.
Surrealist painters explored the unconscious mind.
Cultural Context
While surrealism originated in Europe, its influence is widely studied in Korean art history and continues to inspire contemporary Korean artists, filmmakers, and writers. You might encounter surrealist elements in experimental Korean films, avant-garde theater, or even in the conceptual photography that challenges conventional perceptions. It's often appreciated for its ability to express complex emotions and societal critiques through dreamlike and illogical imagery.
Editorial note
We review entries like 초현실주의 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
초현실주의 작품
surrealist work
초현실주의 화가
surrealist painter
초현실주의적 분위기
surreal atmosphere
Related Expressions
비현실적
Bihyeonsiljeok
unrealistic
꿈같은
Kkumgateun
dreamlike
사실주의
Sasiljuui
realism
현실적
Hyeonsiljeok
realistic
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