Korean Dictionary
How to say "Penguin" in Korean
“Penguin” in Korean is 펭귄 (pronounced "penggwin").
펭귄
penggwin
Usage & Context
A flightless bird from polar regions known for its tuxedo-like appearance. Penguins are popular in Korean children's media and entertainment. They symbolize cuteness and Antarctic wildlife.
Example Sentence
펭귄이 얼음 위에서 미끄러져요.
The penguin slides on the ice.
How to use 펭귄 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Penguin” is 펭귄, romanized as penggwin.
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 펭귄.
Pronunciation Guide
The word '펭귄' (penggwin) is pronounced with '펭' sounding like 'peng' in 'penguin', with the 'ng' sound like in 'sing'. '귄' sounds like 'gwin' in 'penguin', where 'wi' is like 'wee' and the 'n' is a soft 'n'. The pronunciation is very similar to the English word.
More Example Sentences
Recounting a visit to an aquarium.
아쿠아리움에서 펭귄들이 헤엄치는 걸 봤어요.
I saw penguins swimming at the aquarium.
Sharing a basic fact about penguins.
펭귄은 날지 못하는 새예요.
Penguins are birds that cannot fly.
Discussing popular children's characters.
뽀로로는 한국에서 가장 유명한 펭귄 캐릭터예요.
Pororo is the most famous penguin character in Korea.
Cultural Context
Penguins are extremely popular in Korea, especially among children, largely thanks to the beloved animated character Pororo the Little Penguin (뽀롱뽀롱 뽀로로). Pororo is a national icon, often called 'Pororo-daetongnyeong' (President Pororo) due to his immense popularity and influence. Penguins are seen as cute, clumsy, and charming, frequently appearing in children's books, toys, and educational content about polar animals.
Editorial note
We review entries like 펭귄 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
펭귄처럼 뒤뚱거리다
To waddle like a penguin
펭귄 인형
Penguin doll/plushie
뽀로로 펭귄
Pororo the penguin (referring to the character)
Related Expressions
남극
namgeuk
Antarctica
북극곰
bukgeukgom
Polar bear (related by habitat)
새
sae
Bird
수영하다
suyeonghada
To swim
More Animals Words
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