Korean Dictionary
How to say "Spiral" in Korean
“Spiral” in Korean is 나선 (pronounced "Naseon").
나선
Naseon
Usage & Context
Naseon is the Korean word for spiral. Spirals are used in Korean design and represent growth and movement. They are found in nature and traditional patterns.
Example Sentence
나선 모양이 신비로워요.
The spiral shape is mysterious.
How to use 나선 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Spiral” is 나선, romanized as Naseon.
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 나선.
Pronunciation Guide
나 (na) sounds like 'nah' in 'nap'. 선 (seon) sounds like 'sun' in 'sunny' but with a slightly softer 's' and a vowel similar to 'uh-oh'. The stress is fairly even, perhaps slightly on 'na'.
More Example Sentences
Observing nature.
달팽이 껍데기는 아름다운 나선형 무늬를 가지고 있어요.
A snail shell has a beautiful spiral pattern.
Describing a building's interior.
이 계단은 나선형으로 위로 쭉 이어져 있어요.
These stairs continue upwards in a spiral.
Discussing astronomy.
나선 은하는 우주에서 흔히 볼 수 있는 형태예요.
Spiral galaxies are a common form seen in space.
Cultural Context
나선 is the standard term for a spiral. It's very common to see it combined with '형' (hyeong, form/shape) to create '나선형' (naseonhyeong), meaning 'spiral-shaped' or 'helical'. Spiral patterns hold cultural significance in Korea, often appearing in traditional art, architecture, and crafts, symbolizing continuity, growth, and eternity. You'll frequently encounter '나선형 계단' (spiral staircase) in daily life.
Editorial note
We review entries like 나선 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
나선형 계단
spiral staircase
나선 모양
spiral shape
나선 은하
spiral galaxy
Related Expressions
나선형
naseonhyeong
spiral-shaped, helical (adjective form)
소용돌이
soyongdori
whirlpool, vortex (related concept of swirling motion)
곡선
gokseon
curved line (general term for curves)
회오리
hoeori
whirlwind, swirl (related concept)
More Colors and Shapes Words
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