noun
Common
han
han
Han (noun) means a deep, culturally specific feeling of sorrow, resentment, and unresolved grief in Korean identity. Example: “Her grandmother's stories were full of han, a heavy sorrow she never fully explained.”
noun
1
A deep, culturally specific feeling of sorrow, resentment, and unresolved grief in Korean identity.
"Her grandmother's stories were full of han, a heavy sorrow she never fully explained."
"Many Korean films explore han, the lingering grief of a people who suffered loss."
"The novel captures a profound sense of han passed down through generations."
2
The Han dynasty, an imperial Chinese dynasty that ruled from 206 BC to AD 220, or the Han ethnicity, the majority ethnic group of China.
"The museum has a room of pottery from the Han period."
"The Han are the largest ethnic group in China, and many of them speak Mandarin."
"The Han dynasty is remembered for major advances in science, trade, and literature."
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Her grandmother's stories were full of _____, a heavy sorrow she never fully explained.
Etymology
The Korean sense comes from a Korean word borrowed from Middle Chinese meaning "resentment" or "regret." The dynasty/ethnicity sense is a separate Chinese word referring to the historical Han state.
Rhymes for han
See all rhymes for han →Frequently asked questions
What does “han” mean?
The word “han” means a deep, culturally specific feeling of sorrow, resentment, and unresolved grief in Korean identity.
How do you pronounce “han”?
“Han” is pronounced han (/hɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “han” in a sentence?
Here is “han” used in a sentence: “The novel captures a profound sense of han passed down through generations.”
What part of speech is “han”?
“Han” is a noun.
Where does the word “han” come from?
The word “han” comes from Middle Chinese. The Korean sense comes from a Korean word borrowed from Middle Chinese meaning "resentment" or "regret." The dynasty/ethnicity sense is a separate Chinese word referring to the historical Han state.
Is “han” a common word?
“Han” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “han” have?
“Han” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deep, culturally specific feeling of sorrow, resentment, and unresolved grief in Korean identity.
What is the concept of 'han' in Korean culture?
In Korean culture, han is a deep, lasting feeling of sorrow, resentment, and unresolved grief that is often seen as part of a shared identity. It is described as a blend of pain, longing, and endurance that is difficult to translate exactly.
What is the difference between the Korean 'han' and the Chinese 'Han'?
Despite the shared spelling, they are unrelated. The Korean han is an emotional concept of sorrow and grief, while the Chinese Han refers to the Han dynasty and to the Han people, China's majority ethnic group.
Who are the Han Chinese?
The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in China and make up the majority of its population. Their name comes from the Han dynasty, an early and influential imperial dynasty.
When did the Han dynasty rule?
By its traditional dating, the Han dynasty ruled China from 206 BC to AD 220. It is regarded as one of the foundational dynasties of imperial Chinese history.
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