Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fox" in Korean
“Fox” in Korean is 여우 (pronounced "yeou").
여우
yeou
Usage & Context
A cunning wild animal featured prominently in Korean folklore and mythology. Foxes are often portrayed as tricksters in traditional Korean stories. They symbolize intelligence and deception in Korean culture.
Example Sentence
여우가 매우 똑똑해요.
The fox is very clever.
How to use 여우 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fox” is 여우, romanized as yeou.
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 여우.
Pronunciation Guide
"여우" (yeou) is pronounced "yeo-oo." The "yeo" part sounds like "yaw" in "yawn," and the "u" is like the "oo" in "moon."
More Example Sentences
Discussing folklore or traditional tales.
옛날 이야기에는 여우가 자주 등장해요.
Foxes often appear in old stories.
Describing someone's intelligence or cunning.
그녀는 여우처럼 영리해요.
She's as clever as a fox.
Sharing animal facts or knowledge.
여우는 밤에 주로 활동하는 야행성 동물이에요.
Foxes are nocturnal animals that are mainly active at night.
Cultural Context
The fox (여우) holds a significant, often ambiguous, place in Korean folklore. It's most famously associated with the '구미호' (gumiho), a nine-tailed fox spirit that can transform into a beautiful woman to seduce and harm humans. This portrayal highlights the fox's cunning and deceptive nature. However, it can also symbolize intelligence and charm, sometimes used playfully to describe a sly but attractive person.
Editorial note
We review entries like 여우 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
여우같이 영리하다
To be clever like a fox
여우짓 하다
To act foxy/cunning (often used negatively, especially for women)
여우비가 내린다
A sunshower is falling
Related Expressions
구미호
gumiho
nine-tailed fox
여우같은
yeougateun
foxy, cunning
여우털
yeouteol
fox fur
여우비
yeoubi
sunshower (literally "fox rain")
More Animals Words
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