Understanding how to discuss topics like religion and associated groups is important for deeper conversations in Korean. This guide introduces the term for “religious organization” and provides related vocabulary and phrases to help you talk about faith, beliefs, and religious activities in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 종교단체
Pronunciation: jong-gyo-dan-che
Meaning: Religious organization / Religious group
Basic Related Terms
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Expression: 종교
Pronunciation: jong-gyo
Meaning: Religion -
Expression: 신자 / 신도
Pronunciation: sin-ja / sin-do
Meaning: Believer / Follower -
Expression: 믿음
Pronunciation: mi-deum
Meaning: Faith / Belief -
Expression: 교회
Pronunciation: gyo-hoe
Meaning: Church (primarily Protestant) -
Expression: 성당
Pronunciation: seong-dang
Meaning: Cathedral / Church (primarily Catholic) -
Expression: 절 / 사찰
Pronunciation: jeol / sa-chal
Meaning: Temple (Buddhist) -
Expression: 모스크 / 사원
Pronunciation: mo-seu-keu / sa-won
Meaning: Mosque -
Expression: 성직자
Pronunciation: seong-jik-ja
Meaning: Clergy / Religious leader -
Expression: 목사님
Pronunciation: mok-sa-nim
Meaning: Pastor (honorific) -
Expression: 신부님
Pronunciation: sin-bu-nim
Meaning: Priest (Catholic, honorific) -
Expression: 스님
Pronunciation: seu-nim
Meaning: Monk (Buddhist, honorific) -
Expression: 이맘
Pronunciation: i-mam
Meaning: Imam
Phrases for Discussing Religion
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Expression: 종교 있으세요?
Pronunciation: jong-gyo i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a religion? (Polite) -
Expression: 저는 기독교 신자입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun gi-dok-gyo sin-ja-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am a Christian. -
Expression: 저는 불교 신자입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun bul-gyo sin-ja-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am a Buddhist. -
Expression: 저는 가톨릭 신자입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun ga-tol-lik sin-ja-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am a Catholic. -
Expression: 저는 무슬림입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun mu-seul-lim-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am a Muslim. -
Expression: 저는 종교가 없습니다. / 저는 무교입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun jong-gyo-ga eop-seum-ni-da. / jeo-neun mu-gyo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t have a religion. / I am non-religious. -
Expression: 어떤 종교를 믿으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-gyo-reul mi-deu-se-yo?
Meaning: What religion do you believe in? (Polite) -
Expression: 그 종교단체에 대해 들어봤어요.
Pronunciation: geu jong-gyo-dan-che-e dae-hae deu-reo-bwa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have heard about that religious organization. -
Expression: 종교의 자유는 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: jong-gyo-ui ja-yu-neun jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Freedom of religion is important. -
Expression: 가족 모두 같은 종교를 믿어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok mo-du ga-teun jong-gyo-reul mi-deo-yo.
Meaning: My whole family believes in the same religion. -
Expression: 종교적인 신념이 강해요.
Pronunciation: jong-gyo-jeo-gin sin-nyeom-i gang-hae-yo.
Meaning: They have strong religious beliefs.
Phrases Related to Religious Activities
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Expression: 교회에 가다
Pronunciation: gyo-hoe-e ga-da
Meaning: To go to church -
Expression: 절에 가다
Pronunciation: jeol-e ga-da
Meaning: To go to the temple -
Expression: 예배를 드리다
Pronunciation: ye-bae-reul deu-ri-da
Meaning: To attend a worship service (Christian) -
Expression: 미사에 참여하다
Pronunciation: mi-sa-e cham-yeo-ha-da
Meaning: To attend Mass (Catholic) -
Expression: 예불을 드리다
Pronunciation: ye-bu-reul deu-ri-da
Meaning: To attend a Buddhist service -
Expression: 기도하다
Pronunciation: gi-do-ha-da
Meaning: To pray -
Expression: 성경을 읽다
Pronunciation: seong-gyeong-eul ik-da
Meaning: To read the Bible -
Expression: 불경을 읽다
Pronunciation: bul-gyeong-eul ik-da
Meaning: To read Buddhist scriptures -
Expression: 종교단체에서 봉사활동을 하다
Pronunciation: jong-gyo-dan-che-e-seo bong-sa-hwal-dong-eul ha-da
Meaning: To do volunteer work at a religious organization -
Expression: 선교 활동을 하다
Pronunciation: seon-gyo hwal-dong-eul ha-da
Meaning: To do missionary work -
Expression: 종교적인 행사에 참여하다
Pronunciation: jong-gyo-jeo-gin haeng-sa-e cham-yeo-ha-da
Meaning: To participate in a religious event -
Expression: 참선하다 / 명상하다
Pronunciation: cham-seon-ha-da / myeong-sang-ha-da
Meaning: To meditate (Zen Buddhism / general)
Korean Culture Notes
South Korea guarantees freedom of religion, and the country has a diverse religious landscape. The most prominent religions are Christianity (Protestantism and Catholicism) and Buddhism. There is also a significant portion of the population identifying as non-religious (무교 – mu-gyo).
While religion is a personal matter, it can sometimes influence social networks and activities. Some large churches or temples (종교단체 – jong-gyo-dan-che) play significant roles in their communities through social welfare programs, education, and cultural events.
When discussing religion, Koreans generally approach the topic respectfully, though direct questions about personal beliefs might be considered sensitive depending on the context and relationship. It’s usually best to let the other person bring up the topic first if you are unsure.
Traditional beliefs, such as shamanism and Confucian principles, also subtly influence Korean culture and values, even among those who practice organized religion or identify as non-religious.
Be aware that some groups sometimes referred to as 종교단체 might be considered cults or new religious movements, which can be a sensitive topic. It’s wise to be cautious when discussing unfamiliar groups.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are talking about their weekend plans.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 주말에 뭐 하세요?
Pronunciation: A: so-ra ssi, ju-ma-re mwo ha-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Sora, what are you doing this weekend? -
Expression: B: 아, 저는 제가 다니는 종교단체에서 봉사활동을 할 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: a, jeo-neun je-ga da-ni-neun jong-gyo-dan-che-e-seo bong-sa-hwal-dong-eul hal geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, I’m going to do volunteer work at the religious organization I attend. -
Expression: A: 아, 그러세요? 어떤 종류의 봉사활동이에요?
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-se-yo? eo-tteon jong-ryu-ui bong-sa-hwal-dong-i-e-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, really? What kind of volunteer work is it? -
Expression: B: 노인분들을 위한 무료 급식 봉사예요. 저희 종교단체에서 정기적으로 하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: B: no-in-bun-deu-reul wi-han mu-ryo geup-sik bong-sa-ye-yo. jeo-hui jong-gyo-dan-che-e-seo jeong-gi-jeo-geu-ro ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: It’s serving free meals for the elderly. Our religious group does it regularly. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 좋은 일이네요! 민준 씨는 종교 있으세요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal jo-eun i-ri-ne-yo! min-jun ssi-neun jong-gyo i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, that’s really great work! Minjun, do you have a religion? -
Expression: B: 저는 특별히 믿는 종교는 없어요. 그냥 가끔 절에 가보는 정도예요.
Pronunciation: B: jeo-neun teuk-byeol-hi mit-neun jong-gyo-neun eop-seo-yo. geu-nyang ga-kkeum jeol-e ga-bo-neun jeong-do-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: I don’t particularly follow any religion. I just visit a temple sometimes.
Practice Tips
Discussing religion requires sensitivity, but knowing the right vocabulary is helpful! Try using 종교단체 (jong-gyo-dan-che) when talking about groups associated with faith~ You can practice by describing different religious places like 교회 (gyo-hoe), 절 (jeol), or 성당 (seong-dang).
Listen for these words in Korean dramas or movies when characters discuss their beliefs or activities. You could also try formulating simple sentences about your own background or asking respectful questions using the phrases learned today. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing a wider range of topics in Korean!
