Korean Dictionary
How to say "Wolf" in Korean
“Wolf” in Korean is 늑대 (pronounced "neukdae").
늑대
neukdae
Usage & Context
A powerful wild animal that once roamed Korean mountains. Wolves are now extinct in Korea but remain important in Korean mythology and literature. They symbolize strength and wildness.
Example Sentence
늑대가 울음을 내요.
The wolf howls.
How to use 늑대 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Wolf” is 늑대, romanized as neukdae.
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 늑대.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '늑' (neuk), sounds like 'nook' in 'book' but with a clear 'k' at the end. The second syllable, '대' (dae), rhymes with the English word 'day.' Put it together as 'nook-day.'
More Example Sentences
Describing extreme hunger after a long day.
늑대처럼 배고파요.
I'm hungry like a wolf.
Discussing common characters in traditional folklore.
옛날 이야기에는 늑대가 자주 등장해요.
Wolves often appear in old stories.
Describing someone with an intense or piercing gaze.
그는 늑대 같은 눈빛을 가지고 있었어요.
He had wolf-like eyes.
Cultural Context
Wolves (늑대) are extinct in South Korea but hold a significant place in folklore, often depicted as cunning or dangerous creatures, similar to Western fairy tales. Unlike bears, they don't have a positive founding myth association in Korea. In modern Korean, '늑대' can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe a predatory or aggressive person, especially in romantic contexts (e.g., a 'playboy' or 'womanizer').
Editorial note
We review entries like 늑대 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
늑대처럼 먹다
to eat like a wolf (eat a lot)
늑대 같은 남자
a wolf-like man (a playboy/womanizer)
늑대 울음소리
wolf's howl
Related Expressions
늑대 소굴
neukdae sogul
wolf's den
늑대와 양
neukdae-wa yang
wolf and sheep (common idiom for predator and prey)
늑대 인간
neukdae ingan
werewolf
이리
iri
old/literary term for wolf
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