Korean Dictionary
How to say "Rainbow" in Korean
“Rainbow” in Korean is 무지개 (pronounced "Mujigae").
무지개
Mujigae
Usage & Context
A colorful arc appearing after rain. 무지개가 떴다 (a rainbow appeared). Seeing a rainbow is considered lucky in Korea. The seven colors are 빨주노초파남보 (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) — a well-known acronym taught in schools.
Example Sentence
비 온 뒤에 하늘에 예쁜 무지개가 떴어요!
After the rain, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky!
How to use 무지개 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Rainbow” is 무지개, romanized as Mujigae.
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 무지개.
Pronunciation Guide
For "무지개" (Mujigae), pronounce it "Moo-jee-gae." "Moo" sounds like the 'moo' a cow makes, "jee" is like 'jeep' without the 'p' sound, and "gae" rhymes with 'gay.' The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
Parents watching their kids react to a rainbow.
아이들이 무지개 색깔을 보며 신나했어요.
The children were excited seeing the rainbow colors.
Explaining a traditional Korean food item.
무지개떡은 알록달록해서 잔치에 자주 나와요.
Rainbow rice cake is colorful, so it often appears at feasts.
Someone expressing a hopeful wish.
무지개처럼 아름다운 꿈을 꾸고 싶어요.
I want to dream a beautiful dream, like a rainbow.
Cultural Context
In Korea, seeing a rainbow (무지개) is often considered a good omen, bringing luck or happiness, similar to many cultures worldwide. The mnemonic for rainbow colors, 빨주노초파남보 (ppal-ju-no-cho-pa-nam-bo), is taught to children and is widely recognized. This phrase is a blend of the first syllables of each color: 빨강 (red), 주황 (orange), 노랑 (yellow), 초록 (green), 파랑 (blue), 남색 (indigo), 보라 (violet). You might also encounter "무지개" in names of cafes or shops, or as a motif in children's products, symbolizing joy and vibrancy.
Editorial note
We review entries like 무지개 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
무지개가 떴다.
A rainbow appeared.
무지개 다리.
Rainbow bridge. (Often used metaphorically for a path to heaven, especially for pets).
무지개색.
Rainbow colors.
Related Expressions
일곱 색깔
Ilgop Saekkal
Seven colors (directly refers to the colors of a rainbow).
비 온 뒤 맑음
Bi on dwi malgeum
Clear skies after rain (often associated with rainbows).
희망
Huimang
Hope (rainbows are often symbols of hope).
색동
Saekdong
Multi-colored stripes (often seen in traditional Korean clothing, reminiscent of rainbow colors).
More Nature Words
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