Animals in Korean

Last Updated on April 9, 2020

Do you know how to talk about animals in Korean?

It’s fun to talk about your favorite wildlife when you learn Korean. So let’s boost our Korean vocabulary and learn the words for all the different creatures.

We’ve made it easy by putting together a list of important words and examples for you.

Let’s get rolling!

Dogs, cats, snakes, horses, what do all these words have in common? They’re all animals, and they’re all fun to talk about in Korean.

The words in this lesson are all written in both Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) and romanized English. You’ll be able to learn Korean much faster if you know the alphabet, and you can learn how to read before your next meal.

Animal in Korean

To start out, we should know that the word for animals in Korea is 동물 (dongmul)

동물 (dongmul)

animal

While there are a lot of wild animals in South Korea, you’ll probably tend to see most of them at the 동물원 (dongmulwon). Any idea what that is? It’s a place where you’ll see a lot of Korean animals in one place.

동물원 (dongmulwon)

zoo

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at some lists of animals. Keep in mind that these are very general lists, and many animals could be included in multiple lists. We’re just keeping it simple.

Pets in Korean

개 = gae | dog

강아지 = gangaji | puppy

고양이 = goyangi | cat

새 = sae | bird

물고기 = mulgogi | fish

Farm Animals in Korean

말 = mal | horse

조랑말 = jorangmal | pony

소 = so | cow

쥐 = jwi | mouse

돼지 = dwaeji | pig

염소 = yeomso | goat

양 = yang | sheep

나비 = nabi | butterfly

닭 = dak | chicken

게 = ge | crab

랍스터 = badatgajae | lobster

칠면조 = chilmyeonjo | turkey

Forest Animals in Korean

늑대 = neukdae | wolf

사슴 = saseum | deer

황소 = hwangso | ox

코뿔소 = koppulso | rhinoceros

너구리 = neoguri | raccoon

판다 = panda | panda

하마 = hama | hippo

토끼 = tokki | rabbit

다람쥐 = daramjwi | squirrel

곰 = gom | bear

여우 = yeou | fox

산토끼 = santokki | hare

Aquatic Animals in Korean

고래 = gorae | whale

거북이 = geobuki | turtle

악어 = ageo | crocodile

개구리 = gaeguri | frog

물개 = mulgae | seal

돌고래 = dolgorae | dolphin

상어 = sangeo | shark

오징어 = ojingeo | squid

문어 = muneo | octopus

오소리 = osori | badger

잉어 = ingeo | carp

고등어 = godeungeo | mackerel

장어 = jangeo | eel

가오리 = gaori | stingray

Birds in Korean

앵무새 = aengmusae | parrot

까치 = kkaji | magpie

참새 = chamsae | sparrow

까마귀 = kkamagwi | crow

공작 = gongjak | peacock

비둘기 = bidulgi) | dove

팽귄 = paenggwin | penguin

타조 = tajo | ostrich

두루미 = durumi | crane

백조 = baekjo | swan

독수리 = doksuri | eagle

갈매기 = galmaegi | gull

오리 = ori | duck

거위 = geowi | goose

매 = mae | hawk

Various Wild Animals in Korean

사자 = saja | lion

호랑이 = horangi | tiger

고릴라 = gorilla | gorilla

원숭이 = wonsungi | monkey

침팬지 = chimpaenji | chimpanzee

오랑우탄 = orangutan | orangutan

얼룩말 = eollukmal | zebra

표범 = pyobeom | leopard

치타 = chita | cheetah

코끼리 = kokkiri | elephant

기린 = girin | giraffe

뱀 = baem | snake

낙타 = nakta | camel

하이에나 = haiena | hyena

영양 = yeongyang | antelope

코알라 = koalla | koala

도마뱀  = domabaem | lizard

들소 = deulso | bison

물소 = mulso | water buffalo

캥거루 = kaengeoru | kangaroo

개미 = gaemi | ant

달팽이 = dalpaengi | snail

모기 = mogi | mosquito

북극곰 = bukgeukgom | polar bear

National Animal of South Korea

Do you know what the South Korean National animal happens to be? It’s 호랑이 (horangi), tiger! The Siberian tiger is in many mythical stories in Korean culture, and some even think the Korean peninsula resembles a tiger.

The national bird of South Korea is the 까치 (kkaji), Asian magpie.

Korean Sample Sentences

We didn’t forget the simple Korean sentences to help you start some conversations! These are in standard Korean and are considered polite, you can use them in most situations.

제일 좋아하는 동물은 뭐예요? (jeil joahaneun dongmureun mwoyeyo?)

What is your favorite animal?

내 제일 좋아하는 동물은 판다야. (nae jeil joahaneun dongmureun pandaya.)

My favorite animal is panda.

그 동물원에서 북극곰도 있던데. (geu dongmulwoneseo bukgeukgomdo itdeonde.)

That zoo has polar bears as well.

매일 저녁에 개랑 산책해요. (maeil jeonyeoge gaerang sanchaekhaeyo.)

I take a walk with a dog every evening.

이웃집 개가 시끄럽게 짖고 있어요. (iutjip gaega sikkeureopge jitgo isseoyo.)

The neighbor’s dog is barking loudly.

말을 타본 적이 있어요? (mareul tabon jeoki isseoyo?)

Have you ever ridden a horse?

그들은 경주용 말이에요. (geudeureun gyeongjuyong marieyo.)

They are racing horses.

하늘에 새들이 날고 있어요. (haneure saedeuri nalgo isseoyo.)

Birds are flying in the sky.

So today you've learned a lot of different wildlife vocabulary in Korean! Was there one we forgot but you'd like to know? Let us know and we'll add it to the list.

What's your favorite animal? Whether it's a cat, dog, horse, mouse, chicken, or even a snake, see if you can make a Korean sentence with it. Leave it in the comments below and we'll check your Korean!