Korean Dictionary
How to say "Whale" in Korean
“Whale” in Korean is 고래 (pronounced "gorae").
고래
gorae
Usage & Context
The largest animal on Earth, a marine mammal found in Korean waters. Whales are subjects of scientific study and whale watching tourism in Korea. They symbolize the majesty of the ocean.
Example Sentence
고래는 매우 커요.
The whale is very large.
How to use 고래 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Whale” is 고래, romanized as gorae.
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 고래.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '고' (go), is pronounced exactly like the English word 'go'. The second syllable, '래' (rae), rhymes with 'ray'. Put it together: 'go-ray'.
More Example Sentences
Describing a whale watching experience or a natural phenomenon.
고래가 바다에서 솟아올랐어요.
A whale surfaced from the sea.
Talking about environmental activism or volunteer work.
고래 보호 단체에서 활동해요.
I'm active in a whale conservation group.
Stating a scientific fact or general knowledge.
고래는 지구상에서 가장 큰 동물이에요.
Whales are the largest animals on Earth.
Cultural Context
Ulsan, a city in South Korea, has a historical connection to whaling and even hosts a whale festival, though commercial whaling is now banned. While whale meat (고래고기) was once a delicacy, it's now less common and often controversial due to conservation efforts. Whales are generally viewed as majestic and awe-inspiring creatures in Korean culture and media.
Editorial note
We review entries like 고래 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
고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다
When whales fight, the shrimp's back breaks (a proverb meaning innocent bystanders suffer in a powerful conflict)
고래고기
whale meat
고래 잡이
whaling (historical context)
Related Expressions
돌고래
dolgolae
dolphin
향유고래
hyangyugorae
sperm whale
범고래
beomgorae
killer whale / orca
바다
bada
sea / ocean
More Animals Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Whale and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
