Korean Dictionary
How to say "Giraffe" in Korean
“Giraffe” in Korean is 기린 (pronounced "girin").
기린
girin
Usage & Context
The tallest land animal with a distinctive long neck. Giraffes are exotic animals found in Korean zoos and wildlife parks. They are admired for their unique appearance and gentle nature.
Example Sentence
기린은 매우 키가 커요.
The giraffe is very tall.
How to use 기린 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Giraffe” is 기린, romanized as girin.
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 기린.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '기' (gi), sounds like 'gee' in 'geese.' The second syllable, '린' (rin), sounds like 'rin' in 'rinse' but with a softer 'r' sound, closer to an 'l' when between vowels. So, it's pronounced 'gee-rin.'
More Example Sentences
Stating a well-known characteristic of giraffes.
기린은 목이 정말 길어요.
Giraffes have really long necks.
Describing a fashion choice.
기린 무늬 옷을 입었어요.
I wore clothes with a giraffe pattern.
Expressing a wish for greater height.
기린처럼 키가 크고 싶어요.
I want to be tall like a giraffe.
Cultural Context
Giraffes (기린) are exotic animals in Korea, primarily seen in zoos. The word '기린' itself has an interesting dual meaning; it also refers to a mythical creature (麒麟, Qilin in Chinese mythology), a benevolent chimera often associated with good omens and royalty. While the animal '기린' is distinct from the mythical one, the shared name can sometimes lead to a subtle association with elegance or uniqueness.
Editorial note
We review entries like 기린 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
기린처럼 키가 크다
to be tall like a giraffe
기린 인형
giraffe doll
기린 그림
giraffe drawing/picture
Related Expressions
기린 목
girin mok
giraffe's neck
기린 무늬
girin munui
giraffe pattern
아기 기린
agi girin
baby giraffe
얼룩말
eollukmal
zebra (another striped/spotted animal often seen with giraffes)
More Animals Words
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