무당

Sino-Korean word from 巫堂, from 巫 (“shaman”) + 堂 (“hall”). First attested in the Eoje naehun, (御製內訓 / 어제내훈), 1475 , as Middle Korean 무〯다ᇰ〮 (Yale: mwǔtáng).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ˈmu(ː)da̠ŋ]
• Phonetic hangul: [무(ː)당]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

무당 • (mudang) (hanja 巫堂)

1. shaman; priest of Korean shamanism, the indigenous religion of the country

   Synonyms: 무속인(巫俗人) (musogin), 만신(萬神) (mansin), 차차웅(次次雄) (chachaung); see also Thesaurus:무속인

2. (specifically) female shaman

   Coordinate term: 박수 (baksu)

• 무당 (mudang) is common in conversation but has mildly derogatory connotations. It is not used in formal or polite situations such as academia or television, where 무속인 (巫俗人, musogin) is preferred, nor by priests themselves. It should not be used in direct address to a priest; see the linked thesaurus entry above for the preferred honorific terms. Priests representing regional traditions will often prefer regional terms, e.g. 심방 (simbang) or 법사 (法師, beopsa).

• 무당벌레 (mudangbeolle, “ladybug”)
• 무당개구리 (mudanggaeguri, “fire-bellied toad”)

• 굿 (gut): exorcism, shamanic ritual
• 점 (占, jeom): fortunetelling