Korean Dictionary
How to say "Guinea Pig" in Korean
“Guinea Pig” in Korean is 기니피그 (pronounced "ginipigeu").
기니피그
ginipigeu
Usage & Context
A small herbivorous rodent kept as a pet, known for their gentle nature and social behavior. Guinea pigs are gaining popularity in Korea as friendly, low-maintenance companion animals.
Example Sentence
기니피그는 사회적인 동물이라 혼자 두면 안 돼요.
Guinea pigs are social animals so you should not leave them alone.
How to use 기니피그 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Guinea Pig” is 기니피그, romanized as ginipigeu.
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 기니피그.
Pronunciation Guide
기니피그 (ginipigeu) is a direct transliteration. 'Gi' sounds like 'gee' in 'geese'. 'Ni' is like 'knee'. 'Pi' is like 'pee'. 'Geu' is like 'goo' but with a very short 'eu' sound, almost like 'guh'. The stress is fairly even, similar to the English pronunciation.
More Example Sentences
Someone introducing their pets to a friend.
우리 집에는 기니피그 두 마리가 있어요.
We have two guinea pigs at home.
Sharing a fun fact about guinea pigs.
기니피그는 채소를 아주 좋아해요.
Guinea pigs really like vegetables.
A new guinea pig owner discussing their experience.
기니피그를 키우는 건 생각보다 손이 많이 가요.
Raising a guinea pig takes more effort than I thought.
Cultural Context
While dogs and cats are dominant, small animals like '기니피그' are gaining popularity as pets in Korea, especially among those living in apartments or seeking companions that require less outdoor activity. They are often seen as cute, gentle, and relatively quiet. Pet shops specializing in small animals often carry guinea pigs, and online communities for guinea pig owners are active, sharing tips on care, diet, and even custom-made accessories, reflecting the growing diversity in pet ownership.
Editorial note
We review entries like 기니피그 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
기니피그 키우기
Raising a guinea pig
기니피그 먹이
Guinea pig food
기니피그 분양
Guinea pig adoption/sale
Related Expressions
햄스터
haemseuteo
hamster
토끼
tokki
rabbit
설치류
seolchilyu
rodent
애완동물
aewandongmul
pet animal (general term)
More Pet Care & Animals Words
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