Discussing sensitive topics like wills and testaments requires specific vocabulary and cultural understanding. This guide provides the essential Korean terms and phrases needed to talk about creating, understanding, and executing a will (유언장 – yu-eon-jang) in Korean contexts, covering both the language and related legal and cultural points.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Will/Testament
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Expression: 유언장
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang
Meaning: Will, Testament (specifically the written document)
Essential Vocabulary Related to Wills
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Expression: 유언
Pronunciation: yu-eon
Meaning: Will, last testament (can refer to verbal or written final wishes) -
Expression: 유언하다
Pronunciation: yu-eon-ha-da
Meaning: To make a will, to leave final instructions -
Expression: 유산
Pronunciation: yu-san
Meaning: Inheritance, estate, legacy -
Expression: 상속인
Pronunciation: sang-sok-in
Meaning: Heir, beneficiary -
Expression: 상속하다
Pronunciation: sang-sok-ha-da
Meaning: To inherit -
Expression: 상속받다
Pronunciation: sang-sok-bat-da
Meaning: To receive an inheritance -
Expression: 유언 집행자
Pronunciation: yu-eon jip-haeng-ja
Meaning: Executor of the will -
Expression: 법적 효력
Pronunciation: beop-jeok hyo-ryeok
Meaning: Legal validity, legal effect -
Expression: 공증
Pronunciation: gong-jeung
Meaning: Notarization -
Expression: 서명하다
Pronunciation: seo-myeong-ha-da
Meaning: To sign -
Expression: 증인
Pronunciation: jeung-in
Meaning: Witness -
Expression: 재산
Pronunciation: jae-san
Meaning: Property, assets, wealth
Key Phrases for Discussing Wills
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Expression: 유언장을 작성했어요.
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang-eul jak-seong-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I wrote a will. -
Expression: 유언장이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a will. / A will is necessary. -
Expression: 유언장의 법적 효력은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang-ui beop-jeok hyo-ryeog-eun mu-eos-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the legal validity of the will? -
Expression: 유언장을 공증받아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang-eul gong-jeung-bad-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Does the will need to be notarized? -
Expression: 아버지는 유언을 남기셨어요.
Pronunciation: a-beo-ji-neun yu-eon-eul nam-gi-syeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: My father left a will (final instructions). -
Expression: 유언 집행자는 누구인가요?
Pronunciation: yu-eon jip-haeng-ja-neun nu-gu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Who is the executor of the will? -
Expression: 상속인은 어떻게 결정되나요?
Pronunciation: sang-sok-in-eun eo-tteo-ke gyeol-jeong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How are the heirs determined? -
Expression: 유산 분배는 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: yu-san bun-bae-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How is the inheritance distributed? -
Expression: 유언장에 서명해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang-e seo-myeong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You must sign the will. -
Expression: 증인 두 명이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: jeung-in du myeong-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Two witnesses are required. -
Expression: 변호사와 상담하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: byeon-ho-sa-wa sang-dam-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to consult with a lawyer. -
Expression: 유언장 내용을 변경하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang nae-yong-eul byeon-gyeong-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to change the contents of the will.
Phrases for Legal Aspects
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Expression: 이 유언장은 유효한가요?
Pronunciation: i yu-eon-jang-eun yu-hyo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this will valid? -
Expression: 유언장 양식이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang yang-sig-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a will template/form? -
Expression: 법적 절차를 따라야 합니다.
Pronunciation: beop-jeok jeol-cha-reul tta-ra-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You must follow the legal procedures. -
Expression: 유언 검인 절차가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: yu-eon geom-in jeol-cha-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Probate proceedings are necessary. -
Expression: 유언 무효 소송을 제기할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yu-eon mu-hyo so-song-eul je-gi-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can one file a lawsuit to invalidate the will? -
Expression: 상속세는 어떻게 계산되나요?
Pronunciation: sang-sok-se-neun eo-tteo-ke gye-san-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How is the inheritance tax calculated? -
Expression: 유언장 보관은 어디에 하나요?
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang bo-gwan-eun eo-di-e ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where should the will be kept/stored? -
Expression: 유언장 사본을 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang sa-bon-eul bad-eul su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a copy of the will? -
Expression: 유언장 관련 법률 자문이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: yu-eon-jang gwal-lyeon beom-nyul ja-mun-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need legal advice regarding the will. -
Expression: 가정법원에 문의해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: ga-jeong-beob-won-e mun-ui-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to inquire at the family court. -
Expression: 유류분 청구권이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yu-ryu-bun cheong-gu-gwon-i iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There is a right to a legal reserve of inheritance (forced heirship). -
Expression: 상속 포기를 고려하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-sok po-gi-reul go-ryeo-ha-go iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am considering renouncing the inheritance.
Korean Culture Notes
Historically, discussing death or preparing wills (유언장) was often considered taboo or invoking bad luck in Korea. While this attitude persists among some older generations, preparing for the future is becoming more accepted, especially in urban settings and among younger people.
Formal written wills (유언장 – yu-eon-jang) are increasingly common for legal clarity. However, verbal instructions or wishes (유언 – yu-eon) still hold cultural weight within families, though they may not be legally binding without meeting specific legal requirements (like recording or witness presence under certain conditions).
Family harmony (가족 화목 – ga-jok hwa-mok) is paramount. Inheritance matters can be extremely sensitive. Wills are sometimes viewed pragmatically as a tool to prevent potential disputes among heirs (상속인 – sang-sok-in) and maintain peace after one’s passing.
Korean inheritance law includes ‘forced heirship’ rules known as 유류분 (yu-ryu-bun). This grants certain close family members (like spouses and children) a legal right to claim a minimum percentage of the deceased’s estate, even if the will excludes them or leaves them a smaller share.
Consulting a lawyer (변호사 상담 – byeon-ho-sa sang-dam) is highly recommended when drafting a will in Korea. This ensures the document meets all legal requirements (formalities, witnesses, content) and accurately reflects the testator’s intentions while considering Korean inheritance laws.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun and Sujin, are discussing the importance of preparing a will after attending a relative’s funeral where inheritance issues arose.
Roles: A: Minjun, B: Sujin
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Expression: A: 수진아, 이번 장례식 다녀와서 생각이 많아졌어. 우리도 미리 유언장 준비해야 하지 않을까?
Pronunciation: Su-jin-a, i-beon jang-rye-sik da-nyeo-wa-seo saeng-gag-i man-a-jyeoss-eo. U-ri-do mi-ri yu-eon-jang jun-bi-hae-ya ha-ji an-eul-kka?
Meaning: Sujin, after attending the funeral, I’ve been thinking a lot. Don’t you think we should also prepare a will in advance? -
Expression: B: 맞아, 민준아. 나도 그런 생각 했어. 특히 재산 문제로 가족들 사이에 불화 생기는 거 보니까 남 일 같지 않더라.
Pronunciation: Maj-a, Min-jun-a. Na-do geu-reon saeng-gak haess-eo. Teuk-hi jae-san mun-je-ro ga-jok-deul sa-i-e bul-hwa saeng-gi-neun geo bo-ni-kka nam il gat-ji an-deo-ra.
Meaning: You’re right, Minjun. I thought so too. Especially seeing family discord arise over property issues, it didn’t feel like someone else’s problem. -
Expression: A: 유언장 작성하는 거 복잡할까? 변호사 상담을 받아봐야 하나?
Pronunciation: Yu-eon-jang jak-seong-ha-neun geo bok-jap-hal-kka? Byeon-ho-sa sang-dam-eul bad-a-bwa-ya ha-na?
Meaning: Is writing a will complicated? Should we get a consultation with a lawyer? -
Expression: B: 아무래도 법적인 효력이 중요하니까 전문가 도움받는 게 좋을 것 같아. 공증도 필요할 수 있고, 증인도 있어야 한다고 들었어.
Pronunciation: A-mu-rae-do beop-jeog-in hyo-ryeog-i jung-yo-ha-ni-kka jeon-mun-ga do-um-bat-neun ge jo-eul geot gat-a. Gong-jeung-do pil-yo-hal su iss-go, jeung-in-do iss-eo-ya han-da-go deul-eoss-eo.
Meaning: Since legal validity is important, I think getting expert help would be good. I heard notarization might be needed, and witnesses are required too. -
Expression: A: 그렇구나. 그럼 시간 내서 같이 변호사 사무실 한번 알아볼까? 미리 준비해두면 마음이 편할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: Geu-reo-ku-na. Geu-reom si-gan nae-seo ga-chi byeon-ho-sa sa-mu-sil han-beon ar-a-bol-kka? Mi-ri jun-bi-hae-du-myeon ma-eum-i pyeon-hal geot gat-a.
Meaning: I see. Then should we make time and look into a lawyer’s office together? I think I’ll feel more at ease if we prepare in advance. -
Expression: B: 좋아. 나중에 후회하는 것보다 낫지. 상속인 지정이나 유산 분배 같은 것도 명확히 해두는 게 중요하니까.
Pronunciation: Jo-a. Na-jung-e hu-hoe-ha-neun geot-bo-da nat-ji. Sang-sok-in ji-jeong-i-na yu-san bun-bae gat-eun geot-do myeong-hwak-hi hae-du-neun ge jung-yo-ha-ni-kka.
Meaning: Okay. It’s better than regretting it later. Clearly defining things like designating heirs and distributing the inheritance is important.
Practice Tips
Dealing with wills involves specific legal terms, so practice is key! Try using the vocabulary and phrases in hypothetical situations. You could role-play discussing will preparation with a Korean-speaking friend or tutor~!
Remember the cultural nuances – while becoming more common, it can still be a sensitive topic. Understanding terms like 유류분 (yu-ryu-bun) is also helpful for grasping the Korean legal context. Familiarizing yourself with these expressions will equip you for important life discussions in Korean!
