Korean Dictionary
How to say "Rooster" in Korean
“Rooster” in Korean is 수탉 (pronounced "Sutak").
수탉
Sutak
Usage & Context
수탉 is the male chicken and one of the twelve animals in the Korean zodiac. Roosters are traditionally associated with the dawn and waking up early in Korean culture. The rooster crow at sunrise is a classic image in Korean countryside life.
Example Sentence
새벽에 수탉이 울어서 잠에서 깼어요.
I woke up because the rooster crowed at dawn.
How to use 수탉 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Rooster” is 수탉, romanized as Sutak.
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 수탉.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'su,' sounds like 'soo' (as in 'soup'). The second syllable, 'tak,' is pronounced like 'tack' (as in 'thumbtack') but with a sharp 't' and a strong, crisp 'k' at the end.
More Example Sentences
Describing a typical rural morning scene.
시골에서는 아침마다 수탉 소리가 들려요.
In the countryside, you hear rooster sounds every morning.
Explaining animal behavior or hierarchy.
수탉은 닭 무리의 우두머리예요.
A rooster is the leader of the chicken flock.
Discussing the Korean zodiac and specific animal years.
올해는 닭띠 해, 특히 수탉의 해라고 해요.
This year is the Year of the Rooster, especially the year of the male rooster.
Cultural Context
The '수탉' (rooster) holds cultural significance in Korea, particularly as one of the twelve animals in the Korean zodiac (닭띠, 'Year of the Rooster'). It symbolizes dawn, new beginnings, diligence, and punctuality, often associated with waking up early. While '닭' (chicken) is a staple in Korean cuisine, '수탉' specifically refers to the male chicken and evokes traditional imagery of rural life and the start of a new day.
Editorial note
We review entries like 수탉 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
수탉이 울다
a rooster crows
새벽 수탉
dawn rooster
닭띠
Year of the Rooster (zodiac sign)
Related Expressions
암탉
amtak
hen
병아리
byeongari
chick
닭
dak
chicken (general term)
울다
ulda
to crow (for a rooster), to cry
More Animals Words
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