Korean Dictionary
How to say "Snake" in Korean
“Snake” in Korean is 뱀 (pronounced "baem").
뱀
baem
Usage & Context
A reptile that appears frequently in Korean folklore and traditional medicine. Snakes hold both positive and negative connotations in Korean culture. The zodiac includes the snake as one of twelve animals.
Example Sentence
뱀이 풀숲에 숨어있어요.
The snake is hiding in the grass.
How to use 뱀 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Snake” is 뱀, romanized as baem.
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 뱀.
Pronunciation Guide
A single syllable: 'baem.' Start with a soft 'b,' use the 'ae' vowel like 'a' in 'cat,' and close with an 'm.' It comes out like 'BEM' — one quick syllable.
More Example Sentences
Telling friends about a hike
등산길에서 작은 뱀을 봤어요.
I saw a small snake on the hiking trail.
Discussing fears and phobias
저는 뱀이 너무 무서워요.
I'm really scared of snakes.
Explaining animal facts to a child
뱀은 겨울에 동면을 해요.
Snakes hibernate in winter.
Cultural Context
In the Korean zodiac (십이지), 뱀 is the sixth sign — the 뱀띠, or Year of the Snake (most recently 2025). Traditional folklore gives snakes an ambiguous image: 구렁이 (a large snake/serpent) can appear as a house guardian spirit, but snakes more broadly carry a cunning, treacherous vibe. Koreans encounter snakes occasionally during 등산 in summer, so hikers are warned to wear long pants and 등산스틱.
Editorial note
We review entries like 뱀 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
뱀이 무서워요.
I'm scared of snakes.
이 뱀은 독이 있어요?
Is this snake venomous?
저는 뱀띠예요.
I was born in the Year of the Snake.
Related Expressions
구렁이
gureongi
Large snake / serpent
뱀띠
baemtti
Year of the Snake (zodiac sign)
독사
doksa
Venomous snake
허물
heomul
Shed skin
More Animals Words
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