How to Enter Hanja in Word Using Korean Input

Hanja are Chinese characters used in Korean writing; Hangul is the Korean alphabet. To enter Hanja in Word, type the Hangul text, select the character or word to convert, and use the Hanja key to choose a candidate. If your keyboard has no dedicated Hanja key, Windows Microsoft Korean Input Method Editor (IME) supports Right Ctrl or its Hanja conversion menu.

This guide covers the desktop version of Word for Windows. Menu names and positions can differ between versions.

Convert a character or word to Hanja

1. Type the Hangul text and place the cursor on the character or select the relevant range. For example, type 한 and press the Hanja key to display characters with that reading.
2. Choose the character with the intended meaning and select Convert. Candidates such as 漢 and 韓 have different meanings even though they share a reading.
3. For a whole word such as 한자, select the word and convert it. If Word’s conversion dialog offers a one-character-at-a-time option, use it to select candidates individually.

Some Word versions offer input-format choices for Hanja only or a combination of Hangul and Hanja. Inspect the actual text placed in the document. Press Ctrl+Z if you chose the wrong candidate.

Convert only the selected range

Select only the characters or word you want to change, then use the Hanja key. This lets you leave the rest of the sentence alone. A selection that is too broad can include unintended words, so keep the target range precise.

Use a keyboard without a Hanja key

1. Press Windows+Space and choose Korean Microsoft IME. Switch from English input to Hangul mode if needed.
2. Type the Hangul word or character and press Right Ctrl. The physical keyboard and IME settings can affect key behavior.
3. If the key method is inconvenient, right-click the taskbar’s input-mode icon, A or 가, and choose Hanja Convert.
4. Choose a candidate and check the characters entered in Word.

These input methods are described in Microsoft's Korean IME documentation. If conversion does not work, first confirm the active input method and that the Hangul target is entered or selected. Do not identify a Hanja key solely by its position next to the spacebar; keyboard layouts differ.