Korean Dictionary
How to say "Horse" in Korean
“Horse” in Korean is 말 (pronounced "mal").
말
mal
Usage & Context
A noble animal with historical significance in Korean culture. Horses were important in Korean military and transportation history. The term mal is also used metaphorically in Korean expressions.
Example Sentence
말이 빠르게 달려요.
The horse runs fast.
How to use 말 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Horse” is 말, romanized as mal.
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 말.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "말" (mal) sounds like "mahl" in English. The 'm' is like in "moon," the 'a' is a short, open 'ah' sound as in "father," and the 'l' is a clear 'l' sound, similar to the 'l' in "ball."
More Example Sentences
Talking about zodiac signs and personal traits.
저는 말띠라서 에너지가 넘쳐요.
I'm a horse sign, so I'm full of energy.
Planning a trip or discussing tourist activities.
제주도에서는 말을 탈 수 있어요.
You can ride horses in Jeju Island.
Describing someone's physical strength.
그는 말처럼 힘이 세요.
He's as strong as a horse.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, the horse (말) is a symbol of strength, speed, and vitality, often associated with the zodiac sign '말띠' (mal-tti, Horse sign). People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to be energetic and passionate. Jeju Island is particularly famous for its horses, and horse riding is a popular tourist activity there. Interestingly, the word '말' also means 'word' or 'language', which can sometimes lead to playful confusion.
Editorial note
We review entries like 말 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
말이 빠르다
The horse is fast / (figuratively) To speak quickly
말을 타다
To ride a horse
말처럼 일하다
To work like a horse (work very hard)
Related Expressions
말하다
malhada
to speak (homonym)
조랑말
jorangmal
pony
경마
gyeongma
horse racing
말발굽
malbalgup
horse hoof
More Animals Words
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