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Korean Animals Words & Phrases

Animals are among the first vocabulary most Korean learners pick up. Whether you're visiting a zoo, talking about pets, or watching nature documentaries in Korean, these words will come in handy. Build your animal vocabulary and impress native speakers with your range.

100 words

개

gae

Dog

고양이

goyang-i

Cat

햄스터

haemseoteo

Hamster

앵무새

aengmusae

Parrot

물고기

mulgogi

Fish

거북이

geobuk-i

Turtle

뱀

baem

Snake

도마뱀

domabem

Lizard

개구리

gaeguri

Frog

소

so

Cow

돼지

dwae-ji

Pig

말

mal

Horse

양

yang

Sheep

염소

yeomso

Goat

오리

ori

Duck

거위

geowi

Goose

칠면조

chilmyeonjjo

Turkey

여우

yeou

Fox

늑대

neukdae

Wolf

곰

gom

Bear

사자

saja

Lion

코끼리

kkokkili

Elephant

기린

girin

Giraffe

얼룩말

eollukmmal

Zebra

원숭이

wonsungi

Monkey

고릴라

gorilla

Gorilla

판다

panda

Panda

코알라

koalla

Koala

캥거루

kaengeoru

Kangaroo

펭귄

penggwin

Penguin

돌고래

dolgolae

Dolphin

고래

gorae

Whale

상어

sang-eo

Shark

문어

mun-eo

Octopus

오징어

ojing-eo

Squid

게

ge

Crab

새우

saeu

Shrimp

랍스터

rabseuteo

Lobster

조개

jogae

Clam

굴

gul

Oyster

불가사리

bulgasari

Starfish

해파리

haepari

Jellyfish

독수리

doksuri

Eagle

올빼미

olppemi

Owl

까마귀

kkamagwi

Crow

참새

chamsae

Sparrow

제비

jebi

Swallow

비둘기

bidulgi

Pigeon

백조

baekjo

Swan

플라밍고

peullaminggo

Flamingo

공작

gongjak

Peacock

나비

nabi

Butterfly

벌

beol

Bee

개미

gaemi

Ant

메뚜기

mettugi

Grasshopper

모기

mogi

Mosquito

거미

geomi

Spider

달팽이

dalpeng-i

Snail

지렁이

jireong-i

Earthworm

딱정벌레

ttakjeongbeolre

Beetle

무당벌레

mudangbeolre

Ladybug

바퀴벌레

bakwibeolre

Cockroach

다람쥐

daramjwi

Squirrel

너구리

neoguri

Raccoon

고슴도치

goseumdochi

Hedgehog

두더지

dudeoji

Mole

박쥐

bakjwi

Bat

수달

sudal

Otter

물범

mulbeom

Seal

바다코끼리

badakokili

Walrus

북극곰

bukgeukgom

Polar Bear

낙타

nakta

Camel

코뿔소

koppeulso

Rhinoceros

하마

hama

Hippopotamus

치타

chita

Cheetah

표범

pyobeom

Leopard

재규어

jaegyueo

Jaguar

하이에나

haiena

Hyena

미어캣

mieokaet

Meerkat

아르마딜로

areumadillo

Armadillo

오리너구리

orinneoguri

Platypus

흰동가리

hwindongari

Clownfish

바다거북

badageobuk

Sea Turtle

해마

haema

Seahorse

날다람쥐

naldanamjwi

Flying Squirrel

진도개

jindogae

Jindo Dog

까치

kkachi

Korean Magpie

한국 호랑이

hanguk horang-i

Korean Tiger

두루미

Durumi

Crane

금붕어

Geumungeo

Goldfish

해녀

Haenyeo

Sea Woman Diver

황새

Hwangsae

Stork

수탉

Sutak

Rooster

박쥐

Bakjwi

Bat

사슴

Saseum

Deer

수달

Sudal

Otter

여우

Yeou

Fox

족제비

Jokjebi

Weasel

두더지

Dudeoji

Mole

애벌레

Aebolre

Caterpillar

Learning the names of animals in Korean is a fundamental step for many beginners, often being one of the first vocabulary sets encountered. Whether you are discussing pets, describing characters in children's stories, or simply navigating daily conversations, animal names are surprisingly prevalent. Mastering terms like 개 (gae) for dog or 고양이 (goyang-i) for cat allows you to engage in basic social interactions, a crucial skill for any language learner. Beyond common household pets, knowing farm animals such as 돼지 (dwae-ji) for pig or 소 (so) for cow can be incredibly useful, especially when talking about food, visiting rural areas, or understanding traditional Korean proverbs. Even less common animals like 물고기 (mulgogi) for fish or 뱀 (baem) for snake frequently appear in various contexts, from nature documentaries to idiomatic expressions. These words are not just isolated vocabulary items. They form building blocks for understanding grammar, sentence structure, and cultural references. Many Korean children's songs and books feature animals prominently, making these words an excellent entry point for developing listening comprehension and reading skills. Furthermore, when watching K-dramas or variety shows, you might encounter characters discussing their pets or using animal metaphors, making your learning journey more immersive and enjoyable. Integrating these terms into your vocabulary will significantly enhance your ability to communicate and understand everyday Korean.

Start with these animals words

These entries give you the fastest route into this category: the Korean term, how it is pronounced, and the kind of real sentence where it appears.

개

gae

Dog

The most common domestic animal in Korea. Dogs are beloved pets and hold cultural significance in Korean society. The word gae is used in everyday conversation when referring to dogs.

고양이

goyang-i

Cat

A popular household pet in Korea. Cats are appreciated for their independence and grace. The term goyang-i is widely used in Korean media and daily life.

햄스터

haemseoteo

Hamster

A small rodent pet popular among Korean children and young adults. Hamsters are known for their cute appearance and are often featured in Korean entertainment. They require minimal space and care.

앵무새

aengmusae

Parrot

A colorful bird known for its ability to mimic sounds and speech. Parrots are exotic pets in Korea and are admired for their intelligence. They require specialized care and attention.

물고기

mulgogi

Fish

An aquatic animal commonly kept in aquariums throughout Korea. Fish are important in Korean cuisine and culture. The term mulgogi literally means water animal.

거북이

geobuk-i

Turtle

A long-lived reptile symbolizing longevity and wisdom in Korean culture. Turtles appear in traditional Korean art and mythology. They are popular pets due to their calm nature.

뱀

baem

Snake

A reptile that appears frequently in Korean folklore and traditional medicine. Snakes hold both positive and negative connotations in Korean culture. The zodiac includes the snake as one of twelve animals.

도마뱀

domabem

Lizard

A small reptile found in various regions of Korea. Lizards are sometimes kept as exotic pets. They are known for their ability to shed their tails when threatened.

Frequently asked questions

How do I say common pets like dog and cat in Korean?+

The most common words for pets are 개 (gae) for dog and 고양이 (goyang-i) for cat. These are essential for everyday conversation, especially if you have pets or are talking about them with friends. For specific breeds, you might add the breed name before the animal, like "푸들 개" (pudeul gae) for poodle.

Are there different ways to refer to animals in Korean depending on context?+

While specific animal names like 물고기 (mulgogi) for fish or 햄스터 (haemseoteo) for hamster are standard, the general term for 'animal' is 동물 (dongmul). You might also hear '짐승' (jimseung) which often carries a more wild connotation, but for general purposes, stick to the specific names or 동물 (dongmul).

What are some farm animals in Korean that are useful to know?+

Learning farm animal names is very practical. Key terms include 소 (so) for cow, 돼지 (dwae-ji) for pig, and 말 (mal) for horse. These words are not only useful for discussing agriculture or visiting farms but also appear frequently in cultural contexts, such as the Korean zodiac or traditional stories.

How do children learn animal names in Korea?+

Korean children often learn animal names through engaging resources like songs, picture books, and animated shows. Simple, catchy tunes teach them words such as 개 (gae) for dog and 고양이 (goyang-i) for cat. Repetition and visual aids are key, making the learning process fun and effective for young learners.

Do animal names have special cultural significance in Korean?+

Animals often have cultural significance. "돼지꿈" (pig dream) is a widely recognized good omen in Korea, symbolizing wealth. 개 (gae) also features in some common idioms. Grasping these nuances enhances your understanding of both language and culture.

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