Korean Dictionary
How to say "Crane" in Korean
“Crane” in Korean is 두루미 (pronounced "Durumi").
두루미
Durumi
Usage & Context
두루미 (crane) is revered in Korean culture as a symbol of longevity, purity, and good fortune. It appears widely in traditional Korean art, ceramics, and clothing patterns. The red-crowned crane is considered one of the most sacred birds in Korean tradition.
Example Sentence
두루미는 장수를 상징하는 새예요.
The crane is a bird that symbolizes longevity.
How to use 두루미 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Crane” is 두루미, romanized as Durumi.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 두루미.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'doo-roo-mee' — three quick, even syllables. The 'd' is soft (almost between a 'd' and a 't'), and each 'u' is a pure 'oo' as in 'boot.'
More Example Sentences
explaining a famous birdwatching spot near the DMZ
철원에 겨울마다 두루미가 떼 지어 날아와요.
Every winter, flocks of cranes fly to Cheorwon.
at a traditional clothing shop or museum
한복 자수에 두루미 무늬가 자주 나와요.
Crane patterns show up often in hanbok embroidery.
showing a Korean coin to a foreigner
500원 동전 뒷면에 두루미 그림이 있어요.
There's a crane drawn on the back of the 500-won coin.
Cultural Context
두루미 (specifically the red-crowned crane, 단정학) is one of the classic 십장생 — the 'ten symbols of longevity' that run through traditional Korean painting, lacquerware, and hanbok embroidery. It shows up on the back of the 500-won coin, on Korean Air's logo, and as a winter tourism mascot for Cheorwon and the DMZ area, where huge flocks actually migrate through each year. Culturally, 학 (hak) is the older, more poetic word for crane used in classical literature, while 두루미 is the native Korean name most people use day to day.
Editorial note
We review entries like 두루미 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
두루미 한 마리
one crane (counting)
두루미는 장수의 상징이에요.
The crane is a symbol of longevity.
철원 두루미 탐조
Cheorwon crane-watching tour
Related Expressions
학
hak
crane (classical / Sino-Korean name)
십장생
sipjangsaeng
ten traditional symbols of longevity
장수
jangsu
longevity
철새
cheolsae
migratory bird
More Animals Words
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