Korean Dictionary
How to say "Turtle" in Korean
“Turtle” in Korean is 거북이 (pronounced "geobuk-i").
거북이
geobuk-i
Usage & Context
A long-lived reptile symbolizing longevity and wisdom in Korean culture. Turtles appear in traditional Korean art and mythology. They are popular pets due to their calm nature.
Example Sentence
거북이는 천천히 움직여요.
The turtle moves slowly.
How to use 거북이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Turtle” is 거북이, romanized as geobuk-i.
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 거북이.
Pronunciation Guide
Three syllables: 'geo-buk-i.' 'Geo' sounds like 'guh,' 'buk' rhymes with 'book,' and 'i' is 'ee.' Together: 'GUH-boo-gee' (the final ㄱ links smoothly into the '이').
More Example Sentences
Sharing weekend plans with a coworker
어린이 대공원에서 거북이를 봤어요.
I saw turtles at the Children's Grand Park.
Encouraging someone learning at their own pace
거북이처럼 천천히 가도 괜찮아요.
It's okay to go slowly like a turtle.
Referring to a classic children's fable
동화 속 토끼와 거북이 이야기 알죠?
You know the story of the rabbit and the turtle, right?
Cultural Context
Turtles symbolize 장수 (longevity) in Korean folk tradition and appear alongside cranes and deer in 십장생 — the ten symbols of long life painted on folding screens. The famous 거북선 (Turtle Ship), Admiral Yi Sun-sin's 16th-century armored warship, is one of Korea's most iconic historical inventions and is still a source of national pride. Figuratively, calling someone 거북이 means they're slow — similar to the English 'slowpoke.'
Editorial note
We review entries like 거북이 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
거북이가 느려요.
The turtle is slow.
거북이 오래 산대요.
I heard turtles live a long time.
거북이 걸음이에요.
It's a turtle's pace.
Related Expressions
거북선
geobukseon
Turtle ship (historical Korean warship)
자라
jara
Soft-shelled turtle
등껍질
deungkkeopjil
Shell (of a turtle)
장수
jangsu
Long life / longevity
More Animals Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Turtle and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
