Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ruler" in Korean
“Ruler” in Korean is 자 (pronounced "Ja").
자
Ja
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. Updated May 31, 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
More Education Words
Related Articles
귀엽다 Explained: How Koreans Actually Talk About Cute
The Korean word for cute does more emotional work than most learners expect. Here's everything behind 귀엽다, why it differs from 예쁘다, and how aegyo connects.
Good Morning in Korean: 9 Ways Koreans Actually Say It
Korean has one textbook 'good morning' and a half-dozen real ones. Here's the lineup, sorted by who says it and where, from a Hongdae cafe to the office Kakao chat at 8 a.m.
Baby in Korean: Why 아기, 애기, and 자기야 All Mean 'Baby'
Most languages have one word for baby. Korean has five. The full lineup tells you a lot about how Korean families treat a child's first year.
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Ruler and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
