Korean Dictionary
How to say "Spring Water" in Korean
“Spring Water” in Korean is 샘물 (pronounced "Saemmul").
샘물
Saemmul
Usage & Context
샘물 (spring water) from mountain sources is considered pure and refreshing in Korea. Many hikers seek out natural mountain springs during treks. Baekdu Mountain's Cheonji crater lake and various mountain springs are revered for their clean, cold water.
Example Sentence
등산 중에 샘물을 발견해서 마셨어요.
I found spring water during hiking and drank it.
How to use 샘물 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Spring Water” is 샘물, romanized as Saemmul.
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 샘물.
Pronunciation Guide
샘 (saem) sounds like 'sem' as in 'semaphore'. 물 (mul) sounds like 'mool' as in 'moon' but with a shorter 'oo' sound, similar to 'pull'. Combine them as 'Sem-mool'.
More Example Sentences
Feeling refreshed after a long walk or hike.
목마를 때 시원한 샘물 한 모금이 최고예요.
When you're thirsty, a sip of cool spring water is the best.
Visiting a mountain known for its natural springs.
이 산에는 약수터 샘물이 유명해요.
The spring water from the mineral spring here is famous.
Using a metaphor to describe someone's character.
샘물처럼 맑고 깨끗한 마음을 가졌어요.
He has a clear and pure heart, like spring water.
Cultural Context
In Korea, 샘물 (saemmul) from mountain springs is highly regarded for its purity and refreshing taste. Hikers often seek out 'yaksu' (약수), or medicinal spring water, believing it has health benefits. It's common to see people filling bottles at designated spring water sites in national parks. This reverence for clean, natural water reflects a deep connection to nature and a belief in its restorative powers, especially after a strenuous mountain climb.
Editorial note
We review entries like 샘물 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
샘물 마시다
to drink spring water
샘물처럼 맑다
to be clear like spring water
샘물이 솟아나다
spring water gushes out
Related Expressions
약수
yaksu
medicinal spring water
생수
saengsu
bottled mineral water
계곡물
gyegongmul
stream water, valley water
맑다
makda
to be clear, pure
More Nature Words
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