Nuance Dictionary / Luck, Fate, & Superstition
인연 in-yeon
A predestined connection or tie between people, whether romantic or platonic
What does 인연 mean?
인연 (in-yeon) means: A predestined connection or tie between people, whether romantic or platonic.
A deep Buddhist concept. Even brushing sleeves with someone in a crowd is 'In-yeon'.
🎙️ 인연은 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [이년]로 소리나요 (ㄴ첨가, 연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 우리가 이렇게 다시 만난 걸 보면 보통 인연은 아닌가 봐.
uriga ireoke dasi mannan geol bomyeon botong in-yeoneun anin-ga bwa.
Seeing how we met again like this, I guess we have a pretty special connection.
💡 Used to describe a meaningful or fated meeting between people. - 스쳐 지나가는 작은 인연도 소중하게 생각해야 해요.
seuchyeo jinaganeun jageun in-yeondo sojunghage saenggakaeya haeyo.
We should cherish even the small connections that brush past us.
💡 Reflects the Buddhist roots of the word regarding fleeting encounters. - 우리가 이렇게 지구 반대편에서 만난 걸 보면 참 깊은 인연인가 봐요.
uriga ireoke jigu bandaepeseo mannan geol bomyeon cham gipeun inyeon-inga bwayo.
Given that we met on the other side of the world like this, it must be a really deep destined connection.
💡 Often used when meeting someone unexpectedly in an unusual place.
Related words in Luck, Fate, & Superstition
악연 ak-yeon팔자 pal-jja터(를) 잡다 teo-reul-jap-da액땜(하다) aek-ttaem-ha-da천생연분 cheon-saeng-yeon-bun