Korean Dictionary
How to say "Samulnori" in Korean
“Samulnori” in Korean is 사물놀이 (pronounced "Samulnori").
사물놀이
Samulnori
Usage & Context
A dynamic Korean percussion music genre using four traditional instruments: kkwaenggwari (small gong), jing (large gong), janggu (drum), and buk (barrel drum). Originated from farmers' music. Known for its complex rhythmic patterns and energetic performances. Popular at Korean cultural events and festivals.
Example Sentence
사물놀이 공연을 보면 에너지가 넘쳐요.
Watching a samulnori performance is full of energy.
How to use 사물놀이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Samulnori” is 사물놀이, romanized as Samulnori.
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 사물놀이.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '사' (sa) like 'sa' in 'salad'. '물' (mul) sounds like 'mool' in 'pool'. '놀' (nol) is like 'noll' in 'doll', and '이' (i) is like 'ee' in 'see'. The stress is fairly even across syllables.
More Example Sentences
Describing a first-time experience at a cultural event.
어제 사물놀이 공연을 처음 봤는데 정말 멋있었어요.
I saw a samulnori performance for the first time yesterday, and it was truly amazing.
Talking about a school event or club activity.
우리 학교 축제 때 사물놀이 동아리가 공연할 예정이에요.
Our school's samulnori club is scheduled to perform at the festival.
Expressing a personal preference for a specific instrument.
사물놀이 악기 중 가장 좋아하는 건 장구예요.
Among samulnori instruments, my favorite is the janggu.
Cultural Context
Samulnori is a captivating genre of traditional Korean percussion music, typically performed by four musicians using four instruments: kkwaenggwari (small gong), jing (large gong), janggu (hourglass drum), and buk (barrel drum). It originated from 'nongak' (farmers' music) and is known for its complex rhythms and high energy. You'll often see samulnori performances at cultural festivals, opening ceremonies, and even in K-pop music videos for a touch of traditional flair, symbolizing Korean spirit and dynamism.
Editorial note
We review entries like 사물놀이 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
사물놀이 공연
samulnori performance
사물놀이 악기
samulnori instruments
사물놀이 배우다
to learn samulnori
Related Expressions
농악
nongak
farmers' music (predecessor to samulnori)
국악
gugak
traditional Korean music
풍물놀이
pungmulnori
traditional Korean folk percussion and dance ensemble (broader term)
장구
janggu
hourglass drum (one of the samulnori instruments)
More Culture Words
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