Korean Dictionary
How to say "Earthworm" in Korean
“Earthworm” in Korean is 지렁이 (pronounced "jireong-i").
지렁이
jireong-i
Usage & Context
A soil-dwelling worm important for soil health and agriculture. Earthworms are found throughout Korean gardens and farms. They are symbols of nature and environmental health.
Example Sentence
지렁이가 흙 속에 살아요.
The earthworm lives in the soil.
How to use 지렁이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Earthworm” is 지렁이, romanized as jireong-i.
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 지렁이.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, "ji," sounds like "jee" in "jeep." The second syllable, "reong," is like "rung" in "rung out," but with a softer 'r' sound and a 'ng' at the end. The final syllable, "i," sounds like "ee" in "see." The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on "reong."
More Example Sentences
Talking about fishing
낚시할 때 지렁이를 미끼로 사용해요.
When fishing, I use earthworms as bait.
Discussing gardening and soil health
텃밭에 지렁이가 많으면 흙이 건강하다는 증거예요.
If there are many earthworms in the garden, it's a sign the soil is healthy.
Observing nature after rain
비가 오면 지렁이들이 땅 위로 올라와요.
When it rains, earthworms come up onto the ground.
Cultural Context
Earthworms are generally seen as beneficial creatures in Korea, especially in agriculture and gardening, symbolizing healthy soil and nature's vitality. They are not typically featured in folklore or children's stories as main characters but are recognized for their ecological importance. The proverb "지렁이도 밟으면 꿈틀한다" (Even an earthworm will squirm if stepped on) is well-known, meaning even the weakest person will resist if pushed too far.
Editorial note
We review entries like 지렁이 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
지렁이가 꿈틀거려요.
An earthworm is squirming.
지렁이를 봤어요.
I saw an earthworm.
지렁이가 흙을 비옥하게 해요.
Earthworms make the soil fertile.
Related Expressions
벌레
beolle
insect, bug (general term)
흙
heuk
soil, dirt
미끼
mikki
bait
꿈틀거리다
kkumteulgeorida
to squirm, wriggle
More Animals Words
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