Korean Dictionary
How to say "Roof tile" in Korean
“Roof tile” in Korean is 기와 (pronounced "Giwa").
기와
Giwa
Usage & Context
Material used to cover roofs. Traditional Korean roofs use curved tiles.
Example Sentence
한옥의 기와는 독특한 곡선을 가지고 있어요.
Hanok roof tiles have a unique curve.
How to use 기와 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Roof tile” is 기와, romanized as Giwa.
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 기와.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Gi' like the 'gee' in 'geese', and 'wa' like 'wah' in 'wah-wah pedal'. The 'G' sound is soft, almost like a 'K' at the beginning of a word.
More Example Sentences
Discussing traditional craftsmanship and materials.
옛날 기와는 장인의 손길로 만들어졌어요.
Old roof tiles were made by artisans' hands.
Reporting damage after heavy rain.
비가 많이 와서 기와가 몇 장 깨졌어요.
It rained a lot, so a few roof tiles broke.
Recommending a tourist destination.
한옥마을에 가면 아름다운 기와지붕을 볼 수 있어요.
If you go to a Hanok village, you can see beautiful tiled roofs.
Cultural Context
기와 (giwa) refers specifically to the traditional curved roof tiles found on Korean hanok (traditional houses) and palaces. These tiles are typically black or dark grey and are laid in an intricate pattern, creating the distinctive elegant curves of Korean traditional architecture. They are not just functional but are a key aesthetic element, symbolizing tradition and beauty. You'll often see them in historical K-dramas or when visiting places like Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul.
Editorial note
We review entries like 기와 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
기와를 얹다
to put roof tiles on
기와가 깨지다
a roof tile breaks
기와지붕
tiled roof
Related Expressions
지붕
jibung
roof (general term)
한옥
hanok
traditional Korean house
기와집
giwajip
tiled-roof house
초가집
chogajip
thatched-roof house (contrast to giwajip)
More Architecture Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Roof tile and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
