Korean Dictionary
How to say "Medal" in Korean
“Medal” in Korean is 메달 (pronounced "medal").
메달
medal
Usage & Context
A medal is an award given to top finishers in competitions. Medals are highly valued symbols of athletic achievement.
Example Sentence
메달을 따고 싶어요.
I want to win a medal.
How to use 메달 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Medal” is 메달, romanized as medal.
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 메달.
Pronunciation Guide
"메달" is pronounced "meh-dal." '메' (me) is like 'me' in "menu." '달' (dal) is like 'dal' in "dalmatian," with the 'ㄹ' (l) sound at the end being a soft 'l' or 'r' sound, often a quick tap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
More Example Sentences
Reporting an Olympic achievement in a news-like manner.
그 선수는 올림픽에서 금메달을 땄어요.
That athlete won a gold medal at the Olympics.
Acknowledging the value of a second-place finish.
은메달도 정말 대단한 성과예요.
A silver medal is also a truly great achievement.
Describing a joyful moment at a medal ceremony.
메달을 목에 걸고 환하게 웃었어요.
They smiled brightly with the medal around their neck.
Cultural Context
"메달" is a direct loanword from English and is used identically in Korean, especially in sports contexts. The most common types are 금메달 (geum-medal - gold medal), 은메달 (eun-medal - silver medal), and 동메달 (dong-medal - bronze medal). Winning an Olympic "메달" is a source of immense national pride in Korea, and medalists are often celebrated as national heroes. News reports and K-dramas frequently feature stories of athletes striving for or winning medals, highlighting their dedication and sacrifice.
Editorial note
We review entries like 메달 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
메달을 따다
to win a medal
금메달리스트
gold medalist
메달 수여식
medal ceremony
Related Expressions
트로피
teuroopi
trophy (related award)
상
sang
award, prize (general term)
금메달
geum-medal
gold medal
은메달
eun-medal
silver medal
More Sports Words
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