Korean Dictionary
How to say "Rabbit" in Korean
“Rabbit” in Korean is 토끼 (pronounced "Tokki").
토끼
Tokki
Usage & Context
A small mammal with cultural significance in Korean folklore. The moon rabbit (달 토끼) — a rabbit pounding rice cakes on the moon — is a beloved Korean cultural image associated with Chuseok. The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Korean zodiac (십이지). 토끼띠 (rabbit zodiac) people are said to be gentle and artistic.
Example Sentence
달에 토끼가 살고 있다는 전설이 있어요.
There's a legend that a rabbit lives on the moon.
How to use 토끼 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Rabbit” is 토끼, romanized as Tokki.
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 토끼.
Pronunciation Guide
Say 'To' like the English word 'toe'. 'Kki' is like 'key' but with a strong, tense 'k' sound, almost like a slight pause before the 'ki' and then a sharp release. The double 'ㄲ' (kk) makes it a 'fortis' consonant.
More Example Sentences
Discussing traditional stories.
한국 전래동화에 달에 사는 토끼 이야기가 많아요.
There are many Korean folk tales about a rabbit living on the moon.
Talking about pets.
제 친구는 토끼를 애완동물로 키우고 있어요.
My friend is raising a rabbit as a pet.
Referring to one's zodiac sign and associated traits.
저는 토끼띠라서 온순하고 예술적인 성향이 있다고 해요.
They say I'm a Rabbit zodiac sign, so I have a gentle and artistic nature.
Cultural Context
토끼 (tokki) holds a special place in Korean culture, most notably as the '달 토끼' (dal tokki) or moon rabbit, which is believed to be pounding rice cakes (떡, tteok) on the moon. This image is especially prominent during Chuseok (추석), the Korean harvest festival. The rabbit is also the fourth animal in the Korean zodiac (십이지), and people born in the Year of the Rabbit (토끼띠) are often described as gentle, artistic, and lucky.
Editorial note
We review entries like 토끼 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
토끼가 깡총깡총 뛰어요.
The rabbit hops.
토끼를 키우다.
To raise a rabbit.
토끼처럼 귀여워요.
Cute like a rabbit.
Related Expressions
달 토끼
dal tokki
moon rabbit
토끼띠
tokkitti
rabbit zodiac sign
동물
dongmul
animal
귀엽다
gwiyeopda
cute
Frequently asked questions
How do I correctly pronounce the Korean word for "rabbit," 토끼, for natural communication?+
The Korean word for rabbit, 토끼 (Tokki), is pronounced with a strong, double 'k' sound, similar to the 'k' in "skill" but without the preceding 's'. The 'o' sound is like in "toe" and the 'i' like in "ski". Practice saying "TOH-kki" with emphasis on the sharp double consonant.
What are some common phrases or cultural references that use the word 토끼 in Korean?+
토끼 (Tokki) is famously featured in "달 토끼" (Dal Tokki), the moon rabbit, a beloved figure pounding rice cakes on the moon, especially associated with Chuseok. It's also the fourth animal in the Korean zodiac, 십이지 (Sibiji), so people born in the rabbit year are 토끼띠 (Tokkitti).
Is "토끼" considered a formal or informal term for rabbit, and when is it appropriate?+
토끼 (Tokki) is a neutral, standard noun for "rabbit" in Korean. It is neither formal nor informal, making it appropriate for virtually any context, whether you're talking about a pet rabbit, a wild rabbit, or the cultural moon rabbit (달 토끼). You can use it freely in conversations, writing, and formal presentations alike.
Are there other Korean words for "rabbit," or is 토끼 the only common term used?+
토끼 (Tokki) is indeed the primary and most common word for "rabbit" in Korean. While there aren't widely used synonyms or alternative terms for the animal itself, you might encounter descriptive phrases like "집 토끼" (jip tokki) for a pet rabbit or "산 토끼" (san tokki) for a wild mountain rabbit, but 토끼 remains the core noun.
What are common grammatical errors or misunderstandings when using the word 토끼 in sentences?+
A common mistake for learners is incorrect particle usage with 토끼 (Tokki). Remember to attach appropriate subject particles like -가 (ga) for "토끼가" (the rabbit does/is) or object particles like -를 (reul) for "토끼를" (sees the rabbit). Also, ensure correct spacing; 토끼 is a single word, so don't separate it from its particles.
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