Korean word

고요

Pronunciation

Romanizationkoyo

Meaning

  • nounstillness

Example

밤에는 고요가 찾아왔다.pa me neun ko yo ga cha ja wat tta

At night, stillness fell.

Illustration for 고요 (stillness)

More examples

창밖의 고요를 느끼며 잠이 들었다.chang ba kkui ko yo reul neu kki myeo cha mi teu reot tta

I fell asleep feeling the stillness outside the window.

Core concept

A calm, settled atmosphere after voices and other sounds have faded away.

Common phrases

  • 집 안의 고요chip a nui ko yo

    stillness in the house

  • 고요를 느끼다ko yo reul neu kki da

    feel the stillness

  • 고요가 가득하다ko yo ga ka deu ka da

    be filled with stillness

Similar words

조용함choyongham: A calm condition with little noise, making the surroundings feel undisturbed.

Definition in Korean

말이나 소음이 멎어 평온하고 차분한 분위기가 흐르는 상태ma ri na so eu mi meo jeo pyeong on ha go cha bun han pu nwi gi ga heu reu neun sang tae

Word origin

The historical origin of 고요 (goyo, "stillness") is uncertain, so the word is best remembered as a noun for peaceful quiet.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, simpler wording is often preferred, while this noun adds a calm, expressive tone to descriptions of a scene.

Other meanings

  • silencenoun

Opposites

  • 시끄러움sikkeureoumnoisinessnoun
  • 소란sorancommotionnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word