행복
haengbok
Definition
A feeling of great joy and contentment; happiness. Often used to describe a lasting sense of well-being rather than a brief moment of pleasure.
Example
가족과 함께하는 시간이 나에게 행복이에요.
Show translation
Time spent with family is happiness to me.
Etymology
행복 is a Sino-Korean word composed of two Chinese-origin characters: 幸 (행, haeng) meaning "good fortune" or "luck," and 福 (복, bok) meaning "blessing" or "prosperity." This pairing, shared across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, reflects the classical East Asian view that happiness is fundamentally tied to fortune and divine favour.
Cultural note
행복 carries a slightly weightier, more reflective tone than the colloquial 기쁨 (joy/delight). In Korean pop culture and media — from drama dialogue to K-pop lyrics — 행복 is ubiquitous, making it one of the most emotionally resonant words learners will encounter early. The related adjective form 행복하다 ("to be happy") is equally essential and used freely in everyday speech.