Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ink brush" in Korean
“Ink brush” in Korean is 붓 (pronounced "Bun").
붓
Bun
Usage & Context
The traditional brush used in Korean calligraphy and ink painting. Made with animal hair and bamboo, it is a symbol of Korean artistic tradition.
Example Sentence
좋은 붓은 서예에 중요합니다.
A good brush is important for calligraphy.
How to use 붓 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ink brush” is 붓, romanized as Bun.
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 붓.
Pronunciation Guide
The word 붓 (but) sounds like 'boot' but with a very short, clipped 't' sound at the end, almost like 'boo-tuh' but without the 'uh'. It's similar to the 't' sound in the English word 'put'.
More Example Sentences
Giving advice to a beginner in calligraphy.
서예를 배우려면 좋은 붓이 필요해요.
If you want to learn calligraphy, you need a good brush.
Evaluating art supplies in a store or studio.
이 붓은 털이 부드러워서 그림 그리기에 좋아요.
This brush has soft bristles, so it's good for painting.
Discussing historical practices of Korean scholars.
옛날 선비들은 붓으로 시를 썼어요.
Scholars in the past wrote poems with brushes.
Cultural Context
The 붓 (but) is far more than a simple tool in Korea; it's central to traditional arts like 서예 (seoye, calligraphy) and 동양화 (dongyanghwa, East Asian painting). The quality of the brush, its hair type (e.g., wolf, goat, horse), and its balance are crucial for expressing the artist's spirit and conveying emotion. Learning to hold and use a 붓 correctly is a fundamental step in mastering these art forms, often depicted in historical K-dramas featuring scholars or artists.
Editorial note
We review entries like 붓 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
붓글씨
brush writing / calligraphy
붓을 들다
to pick up a brush (often metaphorically, to start writing/painting)
붓놀림
brushstroke (the movement of the brush)
Related Expressions
먹
meok
ink stick
벼루
byeoru
inkstone
한지
hanji
traditional Korean paper
서예
seoye
calligraphy
More Art & Design Words
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