Korean Dictionary
How to say "War" in Korean
“War” in Korean is 전쟁 (pronounced "Jeonjaeng").
전쟁
Jeonjaeng
Usage & Context
Military term related to war. Important vocabulary for understanding Korean military culture and defense terminology.
Example Sentence
이것은 전쟁에 대한 예문입니다.
This is an example sentence about war.
How to use 전쟁 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “War” is 전쟁, romanized as Jeonjaeng.
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 전쟁.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 전 (jeon), sounds like 'jeon' in 'jeopardy' or 'john' with a 'j' sound. The second syllable, 쟁 (jaeng), sounds like 'jaeng' as in 'jangling' but with a slightly softer 'ae' sound, similar to 'jeng' in 'jenga.' The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
Referring to a significant historical event in Korea.
한국은 6.25 전쟁의 아픔을 겪었습니다.
Korea experienced the pain of the Korean War.
A general statement about the devastating impact of war.
전쟁은 인류에게 큰 상처를 남깁니다.
War leaves great scars on humanity.
Describing a person honored for their actions during wartime.
그는 전쟁 영웅으로 추앙받고 있습니다.
He is revered as a war hero.
Cultural Context
The word 전쟁 (jeonjaeng) carries immense historical weight in South Korea, primarily due to the Korean War (6.25 전쟁 - Yuk-i-o Jeonjaeng, referring to June 25th, 1950). This conflict deeply shaped the nation's psyche, leading to the division of the peninsula and a strong emphasis on national security. Discussions about '전쟁' often involve the ongoing tension with North Korea and the fervent desire for peace and reunification. Many films and dramas, like 'Taegukgi' or 'Ode to My Father,' depict the devastating impact of the Korean War.
Editorial note
We review entries like 전쟁 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
전쟁이 나다
For a war to break out
전쟁을 겪다
To experience war
전쟁을 선포하다
To declare war
Related Expressions
평화
pyeonghwa
peace (antonym)
분쟁
bunjaeng
dispute, conflict
내전
naejeon
civil war
전쟁터
jeonjaengteo
battlefield
More Military Words
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