Korean word

소원

Pronunciation

Romanizationsowon

Meaning

  • nounwish

Example

생일 케이크에 소원을 빌었어.saeng il ke i keu e so wo neul pi reo sseo

I made a wish over my birthday cake.

Illustration for 소원 (wish)

More examples

속으로 소원을 빌었어.so geu ro so wo neul pi reo sseo

I made a wish silently.

Core concept

A future state someone mentally reaches for and wants to become real.

Common phrases

  • 소원이 이루어지다so wo ni i ru eo ji da

    wish come true

  • 소원을 빌다so wo neul pil da

    make a wish

Similar words

희망himang: A belief and feeling that good things may lie ahead.
바람param: A wish for a specific event or change to take place.
소망somang: An earnest aspiration focused on making a personal dream real.

Definition in Korean

일정한 결과나 상태가 이루어지기를 바라며 마음으로 바라는 것.il jeong han kyeol gwa na sang tae ga i ru eo ji gi reul pa ra myeo ma eu meu ro pa ra neun keot

Word origin

The term developed from a Sino-Korean compound whose parts mean a matter and wishing, linking it to the idea of a desired outcome.

Usage tips

  • Korean sometimes pairs this noun with a verb meaning to pray, giving the expression a ceremonial or heartfelt tone.

Other meanings

  • hopenoun
  • desirenoun

Word lists with this word