4.8. Basic Korean Vocabulary: Animals

Knowing basic Korean vocabulary is essential for any language learner. In this section, we're going to focus on one of the most fundamental topics: animals. Learning the names of animals in Korean will not only expand your vocabulary but also give you a glimpse into Korean culture. Let's get started!

Animal categories

In Korean, animals are usually categorized into 동물 (dongmul), which means 'animals' in general, and can be subdivided into several categories, such as 야생동물 (yasengdongmul) for 'wild animals', 가축 (gachuk) for 'farm animals' and 애완동물 (aewandongmul) for 'pets'.

Pets

Pets, or 애완동물, are an important part of life for many people in Korea. Here are some of the most common ones:

• 강아지 (gangaji) - Dog
• 고양이 (goyangi) - Cat
• 햄스터 (haemseuteo) - Hamster
• 토끼 (tokki) - Rabbit
• 금붕어 (geumbungeo) - Goldfish

Farm animals

Farm animals, or 가축, are an essential part of Korea's rural economy. Here are some examples:

• 소 (sole) - Cow
• 돼지 (dwaeji) - Pig
• 양 (yang) - Sheep
• 말 (evil) - Horse
• 닭 (dak) - Chicken

Wild animals

Wild animals, or 야생동물, are an important part of the Korean ecosystem. Here are some of the most common ones:

• 호랑이 (horangi) - Tiger
• 곰 (gom) - Bear
• 사자 (saja) - Lion
• 늑대 (neugdae) - Wolf
• 원숭이 (wonsungi) - Monkey

Aquatic animals

Aquatic animals, or 수생동물, are also a vital part of the Korean ecosystem. Here are some examples:

• 상어 (sangeo) - Shark
• 고래 (gorae) - Whale
• 문어 (muneo) - Octopus
• 물고기 (mulgogi) - Fish
• 게 (ge) - Crab

We hope this chapter has helped you expand your Korean vocabulary and deepen your understanding of Korean culture. Remember, practice is the key to mastering any language, so keep reviewing and practicing these words as often as you can. In the next chapter, we'll explore another important Korean vocabulary topic: food. Until then, 화이팅 (hwaiting)!