Korean Dictionary
How to say "Tornado" in Korean
“Tornado” in Korean is 토네이도 (pronounced "toneido").
토네이도
toneido
Usage & Context
A violent rotating column of air. Tornadoes are rare but dangerous in Korea. Emergency alerts are issued when tornadoes are detected.
Example Sentence
토네이도 경보가 발령되었어요.
A tornado warning has been issued.
How to use 토네이도 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Tornado” is 토네이도, romanized as toneido.
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 토네이도.
Pronunciation Guide
This is a direct transliteration. 'To' sounds like 'toe'. 'Ne-i' sounds like 'nay-ee'. 'Do' sounds like 'doe'. Pronounce it like 'toe-NAY-ee-doe', with emphasis on 'nay'.
More Example Sentences
Discussing international news with someone.
뉴스에서 미국에 토네이도가 강타했다는 소식을 들었어요.
I heard on the news that a tornado hit the U.S.
Explaining weather phenomena to a foreigner.
한국에서는 토네이도가 흔하지 않지만, 가끔 발생하기도 해요.
Tornadoes are not common in Korea, but they do sometimes occur.
Talking about a disaster movie.
영화에서 토네이도가 도시를 휩쓰는 장면이 정말 무서웠어요.
The scene in the movie where a tornado swept through the city was really scary.
Cultural Context
Tornadoes are relatively rare in Korea compared to other parts of the world, so they are not a common topic of daily conversation or a frequent feature in K-dramas. When they do occur, they are usually smaller and less destructive than those seen in places like the American Midwest. The word itself is a direct loanword, reflecting its foreign origin.
Editorial note
We review entries like 토네이도 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
토네이도가 발생하다
A tornado occurs
토네이도 경보
Tornado warning
토네이도 피해
Tornado damage
Related Expressions
회오리바람
hoeoribaram
whirlwind (general term for swirling wind)
태풍
taepung
typhoon (tropical cyclone)
강풍
gangpung
strong wind
자연재해
jayeonjaehae
natural disaster
More Weather Words
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