Culture & Art Vocabulary in Korean

Start your Korean language journey with Culture & Art Vocabulary in Korean. Learn essential words for traditions, festivals, music, literature, and the arts to talk about culture with confidence from the beginning.

Korean cultural vocabulary helps you talk about traditions, beliefs, arts, music, and social topics with clarity. With GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition system, you’ll learn these cultural terms naturally and apply them smoothly in real conversations.

Below is a preview of Culture & Art vocabulary in Korean, selected from GuruLango’s 5000-word learning set.

1. Culture 

Use these Korean words to describe cultural elements and social customs.

Hangul

Romanization

English Meaning

문화

munhwa

Culture

전통

jeontong

Tradition

관습

gwansup

Custom

축제

chukje

Festival

예절

yejeol

Etiquette

의식

uisik

Ritual

세대

sedae

Generation

가치관

gachigwan

Values

문화유산

munhwa yusan

Cultural heritage

생활 방식

saenghwal bangsik

Lifestyle

다문화

damunhwa

Multicultural

2. Religion

Use these terms to talk about religions and spiritual traditions.

Hangul

Romanization

English Meaning

종교

jonggyo

Religion

sin

God/deity

기도

gido

Prayer

성당

seongdang

Catholic church

교회

gyohwe

Christian church

jeol

Buddhist temple

불교

bulgyo

Buddhism

기독교

gidokgyo

Christianity

무속신앙

musok sinang

Shamanism

신앙

sinang

Faith

종교 행사

jonggyo haengsa

Religious event

3. Zodiac

Use these Korean zodiac terms to describe personality or lunar-year symbols.

Hangul

Romanization

English Meaning

tti

Zodiac sign

쥐띠

jwitti

Rat

소띠

soti

Ox

호랑이띠

horangitti

Tiger

토끼띠

tokki tti

Rabbit

용띠

yong tti

Dragon

뱀띠

baem tti

Snake

말띠

mal tti

Horse

양띠

yang tti

Sheep

원숭이띠

wonsungi tti

Monkey

닭띠

dak tti

Rooster

개띠

gae tti

Dog

돼지띠

dwaejitti

Pig

4. Art

These words help you talk about art forms and creative processes.

Hangul

Romanization

English Meaning

예술

yesul

Art

작품

jakpum

Artwork

화가

hwaga

Painter

조각

jogak

Sculpture

디자인

dijain

Design

전시회

jeonsihwe

Exhibition

미술관

misulgwan

Art museum

드로잉

deuroing

Drawing

캘리그래피

kaelligeureopi

Calligraphy

창작

changjak

Creation

예술가

yesulga

Artist

5. Music

Use these terms to describe musical styles and music-related activities.

Hangul

Romanization

English Meaning

음악

eumak

Music

노래

norae

Song

가수

gasu

Singer

악기

akgi

Instrument

피아노

piano

Piano

기타

gita

Guitar

바이올린

baiollin

Violin

리듬

rideum

Rhythm

멜로디

mellodi

Melody

합창

hapchang

Choir

콘서트

konseoteu

Concert

6. Social Issue

Use these words to talk about modern social challenges and discussions.

Hangul

Romanization

English Meaning

사회 문제

sahoe munje

Social issue

빈부격차

binbu gyeokcha

Wealth gap

환경오염

hwangyeong oyeom

Environmental pollution

교육 문제

gyoyuk munje

Education issue

인권

ingwon

Human rights

노동

nodong

Labor

복지

bokji

Welfare

범죄

beomjoe

Crime

차별

chabyeol

Discrimination

주거 문제

jugeo munje

Housing issue

고령화

goryeonghwa

Aging population

7. Royal Family

Use these Korean terms to describe royalty and historical court traditions.

Hangul

Romanization

English Meaning

왕실

wangsil

Royal family

wang

King

여왕

yeowang

Queen

왕자

wangja

Prince

공주

gongju

Princess

황제

hwangje

Emperor

귀족

gwijok

Noble

왕궁

wanggung

Palace

왕위

wangwi

Throne

왕실 문화

wangsil munhwa

Royal culture

후계자

hugyeja

Successor

These seven culture and art vocabulary groups help you discuss traditions, religion, music, social issues, and artistic expression confidently in Korean. With GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition system, you’ll memorize these meaningful words naturally and use them effectively.

Start learning with GuruLango today to explore Korean culture and art with ease!