Korean Dictionary
How to say "Tiger" in Korean
“Tiger” in Korean is 호랑이 (pronounced "Horangi").
호랑이
Horangi
Usage & Context
The tiger is Korea's most iconic national symbol — appearing in founding myths, folk tales, and shamanic traditions. The 백두산 호랑이 (Siberian tiger) was the tiger of Korean legends. Though tigers no longer exist in the wild in South Korea, they remain powerful cultural symbols of strength, courage, and Korea itself.
Example Sentence
호랑이는 한국을 상징하는 동물이에요.
The tiger is the animal that symbolizes Korea.
How to use 호랑이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Tiger” is 호랑이, romanized as Horangi.
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 호랑이.
Pronunciation Guide
Say 호랑이 as 'Ho-rang-i'. 'Ho' sounds like 'hoe'. 'Rang' sounds like 'rang' (as in, 'the bell rang'). 'I' sounds like 'ee' in 'see'.
More Example Sentences
Referring to Korea's historical association with tigers.
한국은 예로부터 호랑이의 나라라고 불렸어요.
Korea has long been called the 'Land of Tigers'.
Discussing tigers in traditional stories.
옛날이야기에는 호랑이가 자주 등장해서 사람들을 놀라게 하죠.
Tigers often appear in old folk tales, surprising people.
Expressing a desire to embody tiger-like qualities.
호랑이처럼 용감한 사람이 되고 싶어요.
I want to be as brave as a tiger.
Cultural Context
The 호랑이 (tiger) is arguably the most iconic national symbol of Korea, deeply ingrained in its identity, founding myths, and folk tales. Known as the 'guardian spirit of the mountains,' the 백두산 호랑이 (Siberian tiger) represents strength, courage, and the Korean spirit itself. Although wild tigers no longer roam South Korea, their powerful image continues to inspire and symbolize the nation's resilience and fierce independence, often seen in traditional art and modern media.
Editorial note
We review entries like 호랑이 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
호랑이 담배 피우던 시절
Back in the day (lit. 'the time when tigers smoked cigarettes')
호랑이 기운
Tiger's energy/vigor
호랑이 선생님
Strict teacher (lit. 'tiger teacher')
Related Expressions
백두산 호랑이
Baekdusan Horangi
Siberian tiger (lit. Baekdu Mountain tiger)
맹수
Maengsu
Beast of prey
용감하다
Yonggamhada
To be brave
사자
Saja
Lion
More Nature Words
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