Korean Dictionary
How to say "Indoor Plants" in Korean
“Indoor Plants” in Korean is 반려식물 (pronounced "Ballyeo Singmul").
반려식물
Ballyeo Singmul
Usage & Context
Caring for indoor plants, called banlyeo singmul (companion plants) in Korean, has become a popular hobby in Korea as a form of stress relief and home decoration.
Example Sentence
반려식물을 키우면 집이 더 아늑해져요.
Keeping indoor plants makes home feel cozier.
How to use 반려식물 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Indoor Plants” is 반려식물, romanized as Ballyeo Singmul.
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 반려식물.
Pronunciation Guide
The first part, '반려' (Ballyeo), sounds like 'bahn-lyuh', with 'bahn' rhyming with 'barn' (without the 'r') and 'lyuh' like 'l' followed by 'yuh' in 'yummy'. The second part, '식물' (Singmul), sounds like 'sing-mool', with 'sing' as in the English word 'sing' and 'mool' rhyming with 'pool'.
More Example Sentences
A friend sharing their new hobby.
요즘 반려식물 키우는 재미에 푹 빠졌어요.
I'm really into the joy of raising indoor plants these days.
An office worker talking about workplace decor.
사무실에 반려식물을 두니 분위기가 훨씬 좋아졌어요.
Putting indoor plants in the office made the atmosphere much better.
Someone sharing health benefits of plants.
반려식물은 공기 정화에도 도움이 된다고 해요.
They say indoor plants also help purify the air.
Cultural Context
In Korea, '반려식물' (ballyeo singmul) literally translates to 'companion plant,' mirroring '반려동물' (ballyeo dongmul) for 'companion animal' or 'pet.' This term highlights the growing trend of treating plants as living companions rather than just decor. It reflects a desire for emotional connection and stress relief, especially among those living in urban apartments. Many Koreans find solace and a sense of responsibility in nurturing these plants, often sharing their growth journeys on social media, much like pet owners.
Editorial note
We review entries like 반려식물 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
반려식물 입양했어요.
I adopted an indoor plant.
반려식물 물 주는 날이에요.
It's watering day for my indoor plants.
어떤 반려식물이 키우기 쉬울까요?
Which indoor plants are easy to grow?
Related Expressions
화분
Hwabun
Flowerpot / Potted plant
식물 키우기
Singmul Kiugi
Plant cultivation / Raising plants
가드닝
Gadeuning
Gardening
공기 정화 식물
Gonggi Jeonghwa Singmul
Air-purifying plant
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