Korean Dictionary
How to say "Gorilla" in Korean
“Gorilla” in Korean is 고릴라 (pronounced "gorilla").
고릴라
gorilla
Usage & Context
A large powerful primate known for its strength and intelligence. Gorillas are endangered animals that receive conservation attention in Korea. They are featured in educational programs about wildlife.
Example Sentence
고릴라는 매우 강해요.
The gorilla is very strong.
How to use 고릴라 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Gorilla” is 고릴라, romanized as gorilla.
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 고릴라.
Pronunciation Guide
The word '고릴라' (gorilla) is pronounced with '고' sounding like 'go' in English. '릴' is like 'rill' in 'thrill', with a light 'l' sound. '라' is like 'la' in 'la-la-la'. The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
Planning a visit to a zoo.
서울대공원에서 고릴라 가족을 볼 수 있어요.
You can see a gorilla family at Seoul Grand Park.
Discussing a movie.
영화 '킹콩'에 나오는 고릴라는 정말 인상적이었어요.
The gorilla in the movie 'King Kong' was really impressive.
Sharing an interesting fact about animals.
고릴라는 생각보다 온순한 동물이라고 해요.
They say gorillas are gentler animals than you might think.
Cultural Context
Gorillas, while not native to Korea, are well-known through zoos and documentaries. They often appear in educational content about wildlife conservation, highlighting their strength and intelligence. In popular culture, they are sometimes depicted as strong but gentle giants, much like in Western media, often inspiring awe and respect.
Editorial note
We review entries like 고릴라 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
고릴라처럼 힘이 세다.
To be as strong as a gorilla.
고릴라 인형
Gorilla doll/plushie
고릴라를 보호하다
To protect gorillas
Related Expressions
유인원
yuinwon
Ape / Primate
침팬지
chimpaenji
Chimpanzee
오랑우탄
orangutan
Orangutan
동물
dongmul
Animal
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