Language/Korean/Vocabulary/Animals
Hi Korean learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about animals in Korean. Animals have always been an important part of Korean culture, appearing in many traditional folk tales, songs, and artwork. Knowing the names of animals in Korean can also help you to communicate better with native speakers who may want to discuss pets or wildlife.
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Drinks, Korean Vocabulary Daily Routine Weather and Seasons, Geography & Food.
Basic Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Let's start with some basic animal names in Korean. Pronunciation notes for each word will be indicated with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) in square brackets, followed by a transliteration in parentheses, and finally the English translation.
Korean | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
곰 (gom) | [kom] | bear |
비버 (bibeo) | [pi.bʌ] | beaver |
새 (sae) | [sɛ] | bird |
멧돼지 (metdwaeji) | [me.t͈wɛ.d͡ʑi] | wild boar |
고양이 (goyang-i) | [ko.jaŋ.i] | cat |
닭 (dak) | [tak̚] | chicken |
소 (so) | [so] | cow |
까마귀 (kkamagwi) | [k͈a.ma.ɡɥi] | crow |
사슴 (saseum) | [sa.sɯm] | deer |
개 (gae) | [kɛ] | dog |
돌고래 (dolgorae) | [tol.ɡo.ɾɛ] | dolphin |
오리 (ori) | [o.ɾi] | duck |
독수리 (doksuri) | [tok.s͈u.ɾi] | eagle |
코끼리 (kokkiri) | [kʰo.k͈i.ɾi] | elephant |
홍학 (honghak) | [hoŋ.ɦak̚] | flamingo |
여우 (yeou) | [jʌ.u] | fox |
염소 (yeomso) | [jʌm.so] | goat |
거위 (geowi) | [kʌ.ɥi] | goose |
고릴라 (gorilla) | [ko.ɾil.la] | gorilla |
이 (i) | [i] | louse |
원숭이 (won-sung-i) | [wʌn.sʊŋ.i] | monkey |
쥐 (jwi) | [t͡ɕɥi] | mouse |
앵무새 (aengmusae) | [ɛŋ.mu.sɛ] | parrot |
돼지 (dwaeji) | [twɛ.d͡ʑi] | pig |
토끼 (tokki) | [to.k͈i] | rabbit |
양 (yang) | [jaŋ] | sheep |
나무늘보 (namuneulbo) | [na.mu.nɯl.bo] | sloth |
거미 (geomi) | [kʌ.mi] | spider |
In Korea, pets are becoming increasingly popular. To talk about your own pet, use the word 애완동물 (aewan-dongmul), which means "pet."
- 노랑이 (norang-i) - yellow cat
- Person 1: 노랑이가 귀엽네. (Norang-i-ga gwi-yeomne.) (The yellow cat is cute.)
- Person 2: 맞아요? (Maja-yo?) (Really?)
- Korean people also have a deep respect for nature and animals. For example, the white tiger is considered a sacred animal in Korean mythology. Tigers in general are believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits.
Useful Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Here are some additional animal-related vocabulary in Korean that you may find useful:
Korean | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
펭귄 (penggwin) | [pʰɛŋ.ɡɥin] | penguin |
진드기 (jindeugi) | [t͡ɕin.dɯ.ɡi] | tick |
비둘기 (bidulgi) | [pi.dul.ɡi] | pigeon |
하이에나 (haiena) | [ha.i.e.na] | hyena |
바다사자 (badasaja) | [pa.da.sa.d͡ʑa] | sea lion |
When talking about an animal in plural, simply add the suffix -들 (-deul) to the noun. For example, 개들 (gaedeul) means "dogs" in Korean.
- Person 1: 몇 마리 돼지가 있어요? (Myeot mari dwaejiga isseoyo?) (How many pigs do you have?)
- Person 2: 네, 세 마리 있어요. (Ne, se mari isseoyo.) (I have three.)
- In Korean, you can also use onomatopoeic words to describe animal sounds. Here are a few examples:
Korean | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
멍멍 (meong-meong) | [mʌŋ.mʌŋ] | woof (dog) |
물렁물렁 (mul-leong-mul-leong) | [mul.lʌŋ.mul.lʌŋ] | slosh (fish) |
미유미유 (mi-yu-mi-yu) | [mi.ju.mi.ju] | meow (cat) |
꾹꾹 (kkuk-kkuk) | [k͈uk̚.k͈uk̚] | ribbit (frog) |
쪼끼리 (jjo-kkiri) | [t͈ɕo.k͈i.ɾi] | chirp (bird) |
- Person 1: 그 새가 어떻게 울고 있어요? (Geu saega eoddeohge ulgo isseoyo?) (What sound is that bird making?)
- Person 2: 쪼끼리 쪼끼리 울고 있어요. (Jjo-kkiri jjo-kkiri ulgo isseoyo.) (It's making a chirping sound.)
Fun Fact[edit | edit source]
In Korea, dogs have an interesting cultural significance. The Korean Jindo breed of dog, which originated on the island of Jindo, is known for its loyalty and bravery. They are often used as hunting and guard dogs, and are considered a national treasure. There is even a Korean folk tale about a Jindo dog who saved his village from a tiger!
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
To summarize, learning the names of animals in Korean can help you to communicate better with native speakers and understand more about Korean culture. If you want to practice your Korean skills, consider using the Polyglot Club to find native speakers and ask them any questions. You can also visit the Korean vocabulary page to learn more words and phrases!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Videos[edit | edit source]
Animal (동물) Names in Korean - Korean Vocabulary - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Sea Animals in Korean - Korean Vocabulary with Pictures - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Learn Korean - Farm Animals Vocabulary - YouTube[edit | edit source]
PET ANIMALS vocabulary in Korean (KWOW#29) - YouTube[edit | edit source]
ANIMALS IN KOREAN 동물 - Korean Vocabulary AJ PAKNERS ...[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Geography
- Fruits
- Colors
- Drinks
- Food
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Health
- Education
- Feelings and Emotions
- Animal
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Animals in Korean – Vocabulary for Pets and Wildlife Creatures
- All About Korean Animals: 117 Animal Names in Korean You Need ...
- 39 Animals in Korean Language and Culture | FluentU Korean