Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ruler" in Korean
“Ruler” in Korean is 자 (pronounced "Ja").
자
Ja
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
The ruler (자) is a basic school supply in Korea, used for drawing straight lines in math, science, and art classes. Korean students' school supply kits almost always include a ruler alongside pencils, erasers, and a pencil case. The word 자 in Korean also means 'now' (자!) as an exclamation, making it a fun vocabulary word.
Example Sentence
선을 그을 때 자를 사용해요.
I use a ruler when drawing lines.
How to use 자 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ruler” is 자, romanized as Ja.
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 자.
Pronunciation Guide
자 (Ja) is pronounced like "jah." The 'ㅈ' (j) sounds like the 'j' in "jam," and the 'ㅏ' (a) sounds like 'ah' in "father." It's a short, crisp sound.
More Example Sentences
Explaining how to draw accurately.
직선을 그으려면 자가 필요해요.
You need a ruler to draw a straight line.
Describing a personal school supply.
내 자는 30센티미터짜리야.
My ruler is 30 centimeters long.
Giving instructions for a craft or project.
자 대고 반듯하게 잘라봐.
Try cutting it straight with a ruler.
Cultural Context
The word 자 (ja) is a homonym, also meaning "now" or "come on" as an exclamation (e.g., "자, 시작하자!" - "Now, let's start!"), which can be a fun point for learners. Rulers are a fundamental part of any Korean student's pencil case, often clear plastic or metal, and stationery stores offer a wide variety, including flexible ones or those with stencils.
Editorial note
We review entries like 자 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. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
자 좀 빌려줄래?
Can you lend me a ruler?
자 대고 그려.
Draw it using a ruler.
자로 재다
to measure with a ruler
Related Expressions
선
seon
line
각도기
gakdogi
protractor
컴퍼스
keompeoseu
compass (for drawing circles)
측정하다
cheukjeonghada
to measure
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