Korean Dictionary
How to say "Lion" in Korean
“Lion” in Korean is 사자 (pronounced "saja").
사자
saja
Usage & Context
The king of beasts, a symbol of power and majesty. Lions are not native to Korea but are well-known through media and education. They represent leadership and strength in Korean culture.
Example Sentence
사자가 포효해요.
The lion roars.
How to use 사자 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Lion” is 사자, romanized as saja.
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 사자.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'sah-jah' — two equal syllables, both rhyming with 'ah' as in 'spa.' Keep it light and flat; no stress on either syllable.
More Example Sentences
telling a friend about a zoo trip
동물원에서 사자를 처음 봤어요.
I saw a lion for the first time at the zoo.
explaining an English idiom to a kid
사자는 정글의 왕이라고 불려요.
Lions are called the kings of the jungle.
discussing zodiac signs
우리 아빠는 사자자리예요.
My dad is a Leo.
Cultural Context
Lions never lived on the Korean peninsula, but they're everywhere in Korean symbolism — stone 해태 (haetae, a mythical lion-like guardian) statues sit in front of Gwanghwamun and police stations as protectors against fire and evil. Kids encounter 사자 first through cartoons and zoos, and the word shows up in 사자자리 (Leo zodiac) and 사자성어 (four-character idiom, literally 'lion's words'). The tiger (호랑이) is Korea's true cultural heavyweight, so 사자 reads as exotic and foreign compared to the national animal.
Editorial note
We review entries like 사자 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
사자가 포효해요.
The lion roars.
사자처럼 용감해요.
Brave as a lion.
사자자리
Leo (zodiac sign)
Related Expressions
호랑이
horang-i
tiger (Korea's national animal)
갈기
galgi
mane
맹수
maengsu
fierce beast / predator
포효하다
pohyohada
to roar
More Animals Words
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