The Lord‘s Prayer in Korean: A Comprehensive Guide to Hangeul, Romanization, and Perfect Pronunciation (주기도문)73

The Lord's Prayer, known as the "Our Father," is arguably the most recognized prayer in Christianity, a foundational text taught by Jesus himself to his disciples. Its universality transcends language and culture, yet its recitation in different tongues offers a unique window into the spiritual and linguistic fabric of a community. For those interested in the vibrant Christian landscape of South Korea or keen to deepen their understanding of the Korean language, learning the Lord's Prayer in Korean – 주기도문 (Jugidomun) – is a profoundly rewarding endeavor. This comprehensive guide will delve into the historical context, linguistic nuances, and, most importantly, provide a detailed phonetic roadmap to mastering its pronunciation.

The Universal Prayer, The Korean Context

The Lord's Prayer is found in the Gospels of Matthew (6:9-13) and Luke (11:2-4), serving as a model for prayer that encapsulates worship, petition, and confession. Its petitions cover God's sovereignty, daily sustenance, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil. While subtle variations exist between denominations (most notably the doxology "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen," which is present in most Protestant traditions but not in the original Greek manuscripts of Matthew), the core message remains universally cherished.

South Korea boasts a significant and dynamic Christian population, with Protestantism and Catholicism playing pivotal roles in its modern history and society. Churches dot the landscape, and Christian values permeate many aspects of daily life. Consequently, the Lord's Prayer is a staple in virtually every Christian service, sung or recited in unison by congregations across the nation. Learning it in Korean not only connects you to this spiritual tradition but also provides an authentic entry point into the Korean language, offering exposure to common vocabulary, grammatical structures, and natural speech rhythms.

Understanding Hangeul: The Foundation of Korean Pronunciation

Before diving into the prayer itself, a brief appreciation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, is essential. Invented in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great, Hangeul is renowned for its scientific design and phonetic accuracy. Unlike many complex writing systems, Hangeul is remarkably easy to learn, with consonants designed to mimic the shape of the mouth when forming sounds and vowels based on philosophical principles (heaven, earth, humanity). While seemingly straightforward, mastering Korean pronunciation requires attention to details that often differ from English phonology.

Key areas of focus for English speakers include:
Vowel distinctions: Korean has more vowel sounds than English, and subtle differences (e.g., between 어/eo and 오/o, or 애/ae and 에/e) can change the meaning of words.
Consonant aspiration and tension: Korean distinguishes between unaspirated (e.g., ㄱ/g), aspirated (e.g., ㅋ/k'), and tense (e.g., ㄲ/kk) consonants, which can be challenging for English speakers.
Batchim (final consonants): Korean syllables often end with a consonant (batchim), which can undergo various sound changes when followed by another syllable, a phenomenon known as liaison or assimilation.
Rhythm and Intonation: While Korean is not a tonal language like Mandarin, natural rhythm and intonation are crucial for sounding fluent and being understood.

The Lord's Prayer in Korean (주기도문 - Jugidomun)

Here is the standard Protestant version of the Lord's Prayer as used in South Korea, followed by its English translation. We will then break it down line-by-line for pronunciation.

Korean (Hangeul):

하늘에 계신 우리 아버지여,

이름이 거룩히 여김을 받으시오며,

나라이 임하옵시며,

뜻이 하늘에서 이루어진 것같이 땅에서도 이루어지이다.

오늘날 우리에게 일용할 양식을 주옵시고,

우리가 우리에게 죄 지은 자를 사하여 준 것같이

우리 죄를 사하여 주옵시고,

우리를 시험에 들게 하지 마옵시고

다만 악에서 구하옵소서.

나라와 권세와 영광이 아버지께 영원히 있사옵나이다. 아멘.

English Translation (Standard Protestant Version):

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Line-by-Line Pronunciation Guide

Below, each line is presented with its Hangeul, Revised Romanization, a phonetic approximation for English speakers (emphasizing stressed syllables with caps), and specific pronunciation notes.

1. 하늘에 계신 우리 아버지여,

Revised Romanization: Haneure gyesin uri abeoji-yeo,

Phonetic: HA-nu-reh GYE-shin OO-ri AH-buh-ji-yuh,

English: Our Father, who art in heaven,

Notes:

하늘 (ha-neul): Heaven/Sky. The 'ul' (을) sound is often difficult; it's a short, central vowel.
-에 (eh): A particle meaning 'in' or 'at'.
계신 (gye-shin): 'Are (honorific).' The '계' (gye) is like 'gay' but shorter and softer.
우리 (oo-ri): Our. The '우' (oo) is like 'oo' in 'moon'.
아버지 (ah-buh-ji): Father. '어' (eo) is like the 'u' in 'but'. '지' (ji) is a soft 'j' sound.
-여 (yeo): An exclamatory particle, adding a reverent, calling tone.

2. 이름이 거룩히 여김을 받으시오며,

Revised Romanization: Ireumi georukhi yeogimeul badeusiomyeo,

Phonetic: EE-room-ee GUH-rook-hee YUH-gim-eul BAH-deu-shee-oh-myuh,

English: Hallowed be thy name.

Notes:

이름 (i-reum): Name. '이' (i) is like 'ee' in 'see'.
-이 (i): Subject particle.
거룩히 (geo-ruk-hi): Holily, sacredly. Note the aspirated '히' (hi) sound.
여김을 받으시오며 (yeo-gim-eul ba-deu-shi-oh-myeo): To be regarded/received (as such). This is a complex verb phrase showing reverence. The '받으시오며' (ba-deu-shi-oh-myeo) part ends with '-오며' (oh-myeo), a classical ending for requests or wishes.
The '을' (eul) after '여김' (yeogim) is an object particle.

3. 나라이 임하옵시며,

Revised Romanization: Nara-i imhaopsimyeo,

Phonetic: NAH-ra-ee IM-ha-op-shee-myuh,

English: Thy kingdom come,

Notes:

나라 (na-ra): Kingdom, country.
-이 (i): Subject particle.
임하옵시며 (im-ha-op-shi-myeo): May it come. '임하다' (imhada) means to come or descend (honorific). The '-옵시며' (opsimyeo) is a highly honorific and somewhat archaic verb ending, expressing a humble wish.

4. 뜻이 하늘에서 이루어진 것같이 땅에서도 이루어지이다.

Revised Romanization: Tteusi haneureseo irueojin geotgachi ttangeseodo irueoji-ida.

Phonetic: TTEUT-shee HA-nu-reh-suh EE-roo-uh-jin GUHT-gah-chee TTANG-eh-suh-doh EE-roo-uh-ji-EE-dah.

English: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Notes:

뜻 (tteut): Will, meaning. The 'ㄸ' (tt) is a tense 't' sound (no aspiration). The 'ㅅ' (s) at the end of 뜻 becomes a 't' sound.
-이 (i): Subject particle.
하늘에서 (ha-neul-eh-suh): In heaven (from heaven). '-에서' (eseo) indicates location/origin.
이루어진 (i-ru-eo-jin): That which has been done/accomplished.
것같이 (geot-ga-chi): As, like. The 'ㅅ' (s) in '것' (geot) is pronounced as 't' when followed by a vowel or certain consonants, and here it links to '같이' (gachi).
땅에서도 (ttang-eh-suh-doh): Also on earth. '땅' (ttang) means earth/land. 'ㄸ' (tt) is a tense 't'. '-도' (do) means 'also'.
이루어지이다 (i-ru-eo-ji-i-da): May it be done. '-지이다' (ji-i-da) is an archaic, formal ending expressing a strong wish or command.

5. 오늘날 우리에게 일용할 양식을 주옵시고,

Revised Romanization: Oneullal uriege iryonghal yangsigeul juopsigo,

Phonetic: OH-neul-lal OO-ri-eh-geh EEL-yong-hal YANG-sheek-eul JOO-op-shee-goh,

English: Give us this day our daily bread,

Notes:

오늘날 (o-neul-lal): This day. Note the assimilation of 'ㄹ' (l) sounds.
우리에게 (u-ri-eh-geh): To us. '-에게' (ege) is a dative particle (to whom).
일용할 (il-yong-hal): Daily (for daily use).
양식 (yang-sik): Food, sustenance, bread.
-을 (eul): Object particle.
주옵시고 (ju-op-shi-go): Give us. '주다' (juda) means to give. '-옵시고' (opsigo) is a highly honorific request, linking to the next clause.

6. 우리가 우리에게 죄 지은 자를 사하여 준 것같이

Revised Romanization: Uriga uriege joe jieun jareul sahayeo jun geotgachi

Phonetic: OO-ri-gah OO-ri-eh-geh JWEH JEE-eun JA-reul SA-ha-yuh JOON guht-GAH-chee

English: As we forgive those who trespass against us.

Notes:

우리가 (u-ri-ga): We (subject). '-가' (ga) is a subject particle.
죄 (joe): Sin, trespass. The 'oe' sound is often tricky, a blend of 'o' and 'e'.
지은 (ji-eun): Committed (past participle of '짓다' jitta - to commit/build).
자를 (ja-reul): Person (object). '-를' (reul) is an object particle.
사하여 준 (sa-ha-yeo jun): Have forgiven. '용서하다' (yongseohada) is common for "forgive," but '사하다' (sahada) is also used, especially in religious contexts.
것같이 (geot-ga-chi): As, like (repeated from line 4).

7. 우리 죄를 사하여 주옵시고,

Revised Romanization: Uri joereul sahayeo juopsigo,

Phonetic: OO-ri JWEH-reul SA-ha-yuh JOO-op-shee-goh,

English: And forgive us our trespasses,

Notes:

우리 죄를 (u-ri joe-reul): Our sins (object).
사하여 주옵시고 (sa-ha-yeo ju-op-shi-go): Forgive us (honorific request, linking).

8. 우리를 시험에 들게 하지 마옵시고

Revised Romanization: Urireul sieome deulge haji maopsigo

Phonetic: OO-ri-reul SHEE-uhm-eh DEUL-geh HA-ji MA-op-shee-goh

English: And lead us not into temptation,

Notes:

우리를 (u-ri-reul): Us (object).
시험 (si-heom): Temptation, test. '시' (si) is pronounced like 'shee'.
-에 (eh): In, into.
들게 (deul-geh): To make enter/fall.
하지 마옵시고 (ha-ji ma-op-shi-go): Do not make (us). '말다' (malda) means to stop/not do. '-옵시고' (opsigo) is again the honorific request, linking.

9. 다만 악에서 구하옵소서.

Revised Romanization: Daman ageoseo guhaopsoseo.

Phonetic: DAH-man AH-geh-suh GOO-ha-op-SOH-suh.

English: But deliver us from evil.

Notes:

다만 (da-man): Only, but.
악에서 (ak-eh-suh): From evil. '악' (ak) means evil.
구하옵소서 (gu-ha-op-so-seo): Deliver us. '구하다' (guhada) means to save/deliver. '-옵소서' (opsoseo) is a very humble and reverent imperative ending, like "Please deliver."

10. 나라와 권세와 영광이 아버지께 영원히 있사옵나이다. 아멘.

Revised Romanization: Narawa gwonsewa yeonggwangi abeojikke yeongwonhi issaomnaida. Amen.

Phonetic: NAH-ra-wa GWUN-seh-wa YUNG-gwang-ee AH-buh-ji-kkeh YUNG-won-hee IT-sa-om-NAH-ee-da. AH-men.

English: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Notes:

나라와 (na-ra-wa): Kingdom and. '-와' (wa) means 'and' (with nouns).
권세와 (gwon-se-wa): Power and. '권세' (gwon-se) means power/authority.
영광이 (yeong-gwang-i): Glory (subject). '영광' (yeong-gwang) means glory.
아버지께 (a-beo-ji-kke): To Father. '-께' (kke) is the honorific form of '-에게' (ege - to whom).
영원히 (yeong-won-hi): Forever. Note the aspirated '히' (hi).
있사옵나이다 (it-sa-om-na-i-da): Belongs/is (honorific). This is a highly formal and humble ending for '있다' (itda - to be/have). Note the sound change: 'ㅆ' (ss) + '사' (sa) = 'issa'.
아멘 (A-men): Amen. Pronounced similar to English, but with a slightly clearer 'A' sound.

Tips for Mastering Pronunciation

Listen Actively: Search for "주기도문" (Jugidomun) on YouTube or Korean Christian websites. Listen to native speakers recite it repeatedly. Pay attention to their rhythm, intonation, and how words flow together.
Break It Down: Don't try to memorize the whole prayer at once. Focus on one line at a time, perfecting the pronunciation of each word before linking them.
Exaggerate Initially: To train your mouth muscles, exaggerate the Korean sounds that are difficult for English speakers, like the tense consonants (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ) and the different vowel sounds.
Record Yourself: Use your phone to record your recitation. Compare it to a native speaker's recording. This helps identify areas needing improvement.
Focus on Sound Changes: Be aware of batchim rules and liaison. For instance, '하늘에' (ha-neul-eh) will have the 'ㄹ' (l) sound from '하늘' (ha-neul) smoothly flowing into the '-에' (eh).
Mimic Intonation: Korean has a relatively flat intonation compared to English, but phrases still have natural rises and falls. Try to mimic the emotional contour of a native speaker.
Understand the Meaning: Knowing what you're saying helps with natural delivery. Connect the Korean words to the English translation to add depth to your practice.

Beyond Pronunciation: The Spiritual and Linguistic Reward

Learning the Lord's Prayer in Korean is more than a linguistic exercise; it's a bridge to cultural and spiritual understanding. It allows you to participate more fully in a Korean Christian service, connect with Korean believers on a deeper level, and appreciate the beauty and intricacy of the Korean language. The repetition inherent in prayer is also an excellent method for language acquisition, reinforcing vocabulary and grammatical patterns naturally.

As you practice, remember that perfection is not the immediate goal, but rather clear communication and respectful engagement. Koreans will undoubtedly appreciate your effort and willingness to embrace their language and faith tradition. With consistent practice and careful attention to the phonetic guidance provided, you will soon be able to recite 주기도문 (Jugidomun) with confidence and spiritual resonance.

In conclusion, the Lord's Prayer in Korean is a powerful text, both spiritually and linguistically. It offers a structured way to engage with Hangeul's phonetic precision and experience the unique cadence of the Korean language. Whether for personal devotion, cultural immersion, or linguistic challenge, mastering 주기도문 (Jugidomun) is a profound and enriching journey.

2025-11-01

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