Do you know the words for the various flowers in Korean?
Before we teach you all the flower vocabulary, you must first know the word for “flower” in Korean, which is 꽃 (kkot).
You’ll encounter this word more as we deep-dive into each of the flowers and what they are called in Korean.
Quick Summary
✅ South Korea’s National Flower is called 무궁화 (mugunghwa), or Hibiscus syriacus in English. This is also commonly referred to as Rose of Sharon.
✅ The general term for “flower” in Korean is 꽃 (kkot). Some types of flowers also have 꽃 (kkot) in their names, such as 제비꽃 ( jebikkot | violet), 벚꽃 (beotkkot | Cherry blossom) and 동백꽃 (dongbaekkkot | camellia).
✅ Each flower carries distinct meanings and symbolism, just like how 해바라기 (haebaragi) or the sunflower symbolizes happiness.
Contents
What is the Korean National Flower?
South Korea’s national flower is 무궁화 (mugunghwa) known as the Hibiscus syriacus or Rose of Sharon. You can see this name referred to in different parts of Korean culture. The Korean national flower is the name of a train that runs through the country.
You might have also heard of this flower in the song “The Mugunghwa Flower Is Blooming” in the Korean series Squid Game.
“Flower” in Korean
You can say “flower” in Korean as 꽃 (kkot). As you may have noticed, the word ends with ㅊ (with the “t” sound). This means that when you combine it with an object or noun marking particles, you will pronounce it as 꽃을 (kkocheul) or 꽃이 (kkochi).
However, if you want to say “flower” in the Korean language on its own, with no marking particles attached, the pronunciation needs to end in a “t”-sound. Our article on Korean pronunciation can teach you further about this topic.
Examples:
올해는 꽃들이 일찍 피었어요. (orhaeneun kkotdeuri iljjik phieosseoyo.)
The flowers bloomed early this year.
나는 너한테 꽃을 좀 꺾었어. (naneun neohanthe kkocheul jom kkyeokkeosseo.)
I picked up some flowers for you.
어디로 꽃을 심을까? (eodiro kkocheul shimeulkka?)
Where should we plant the flower?
Another word for how to say “flower” in Korean is 화초 (hwacho). It is rarely used but would be an especially good vocabulary word for referring to planting and growing flowers. You can use this word if you’re referring to the verb “plant.”
Example:
오늘은 화초를 심을게요. (oneureun hwachoreul shimeulgeyo.)
I will plant the flowers today.
Different Korean Flower Words
Now that you know how to say “flower” in Korean, let’s head on to the different types of flowers. We’ve listed some of them below with their names in Korean.
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 꽃 한 다발 (kkot han dabal) | a bunch of flowers |
| 꽃꽃이 (kkotkkochi) | a flower arrangement |
| 벚꽃 (beotkkot) | cherry blossom |
| 난 (nan) | orchid |
| 수선화 (suseonhwa) | daffodil |
| 양귀비 (yangwibi) | poppy |
| 튤립 (thyullib) | tulip |
| 장미 (jangmi) | rose |
| 베고니아 (begonia) | begonia |
| 백합 (baekhab) | lily |
| 동백꽃 (dongbaekkkot) | camellia |
| 제비꽃 (jebikkot) | violet |
| 해바라기 (haebaragi) | sunflower |
| 무궁화 (mugunghwa) | Hibiscus |
“Rose” in Korean
The Korean word for “rose” is 장미 (jangmi). This flower is often associated with love and romance.
Example:
장미는 언제 꽃을 피어요? (jangmineun eonje kkocheul phieoyo?)
When do roses bloom?
“Sunflower” in Korean
“Sunflower” in Korean is 해바라기 (haebaragi). This Korean flower symbolizes happiness and can brighten up one’s mood!
Example:
해바라기는 햇빛을 좋아해요. (haebaragineun haetbicheul joahaeyo.)
Sunflowers like sunlight.
“Violet” in Korean
The Korean word for “violet” is 제비꽃 (jebikkot), and it symbolizes modesty.
Example:
제비꽃은 보라색이에요. (jebikkocheneun borasaegieyo.)
Violets are purple.
“Cherry Blossom” in Korean
“Cherry blossom” in Korean is 벚꽃 (beotkkot). You’ll notice it also has the word 꽃 (kkot) which means “flower.”
This flower comes from cherry blossom trees and symbolizes beauty and purity.
There are also different places in South Korea where you can find these cherry blossoms.
Example:
벚꽃은 봄에 피어요. (beotkkocheneun bome phieoyo.)
Cherry blossoms bloom in spring.
“Lily” in Korean
“Lily” in Korean is 백합 (baekhab). This flower symbolizes innocence and sweetness.
Example:
백합은 아름다워요. (baekhabeun areumdawoyo.)
Lilies are beautiful.
“Camellia” in Korean
The word for “camellia” in Korean is 동백꽃 (dongbaekkkot).
You might have heard this word from the title of the Korean drama, 동백꽃 필 무렵 (dongbaekkkot pil muryeop) or When the Camellia Blooms.
Example:
동백꽃은 겨울에 피어요. (dongbaekkkocheneun gyeoule phieoyo.)
Camellias bloom in winter.
“Jasmine” in Korean
“Jasmine” is called 재스민 (jaeseumin) or 자스민 (jaseumin) in Korean.
Its tea, 자스민 차 (jaseumin cha), is often enjoyed for its relaxing fragrance and health benefits.
Example:
재스민 향이 나네요. (jaeseumin hyangi naneyo.)
It smells like jasmine.
Now that you know how to say “flower” in Korean, here are also common Korean words that are related to flowers.
“Plant” in Korean
A flower is a type of plant, and the Korean term for “plant” is 식물 (sigmul).
Example:
식물을 키우는 것은 재미있어요. (sikmureul kiuneun geoseun jaemiisseoyo.)
Growing plants is fun.
“Garden” in Korean
The Korean word for “garden” is 정원 (jeongwon). If you have a garden full of roses, you can call that 장미 정원 (jangmi jeongwon).
Another term used for “garden” is 뜰 (tteul).
Example:
정원은 편안한 곳이에요. (jeongwoneun pyeonanhan gosieyo.)
The garden is a relaxing place.
“Blossom” in Korean
“Blossom” as a verb in Korean is 꽃이 피다 (kkochi pida).
Example:
벚나무에 꽃이 피기 시작했어요. (beonnamue kkochi pigi sijakaesseoyo.)
The cherry tree has started to blossom.
“Blossom” as a noun in Korean is 꽃 (kkot).
Example:
저 나무는 꽃이 아름다워. (jeo namuneun kkochi jeongmal areumdawo.)
That tree has beautiful blossoms.
A word of caution about Romanization
While it is possible for you to study the Korean words in this article simply by reading their romanized versions, it will come in handy for you to be able to read Hangeul if you ever wish to come to Korea. Hangeul is the Korean alphabet, and not difficult to learn. In fact, you can learn it in just 90 minutes.
After you’ve familiarized yourself with Hangeul, life in South Korea will suddenly seem so much easier, and the country won’t appear so foreign to you. So, if you’re serious about learning Korean, why not learn Hangeul today?
Get “Flowers in Korean” Free PDF Guide
Frequently asked questions about Korean flowers
Below, we covered the most common questions that we get about Korean flowers.
What is the traditional flower of Korea?
The national flower of Korea is the Mugunghwa, or Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus).
What are the lucky flowers in Korea?
Traditionally, the lotus flower, which symbolizes purity and enlightenment, is considered lucky in Korea.
Sunflowers have also been known as blessed flowers. Paintings of sunflowers have long been loved by many people in Korea because they have been recognized as “a picture that brings good luck or fortune.”
What is the most common flower in Korea?
The Rose of Sharon (무궁화 | mugunghwa) is very common and can be seen throughout the country. Other common flowers in Korea are azaleas (진달래 | jindallae), often seen in mountains and public gardens, and camellias (동백꽃 | dongbaekkkot), which are a common sight on Jeju Island.
What is a Korean rose?
The term “Korean rose” could refer to the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), which is not a rose but has similar floral beauty.
Is the lotus flower Korean?
The lotus flower (연꽃 | yeonkkot) is not exclusively a Korean flower. However, it is very significant in Korean culture, particularly in Buddhism.
What is the flower symbol of Seoul?
The flower symbol of Seoul is the Forsythia koreana (개나리 | gaenari), also known as the “golden bellflower.”
What is the Korean flower name for girls?
화 (hwa), a Sino-Korean word meaning “flower,” is common for girls names, such as 정화 (Jeonghwa) and 선화 (Seonhwa).
What do orchids symbolize in Korea?
In Korea, orchids symbolize nobility, refinement, and beauty.
What is the Korean buttercup flower?
The Korean buttercup flower might refer to a type of ranunculus that is native to East Asia, specifically found in Korea, Bhutan, China, northeast India, Indonesia, and Japan.
What is the best flower in Korea?
This is subjective, but the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) is highly revered in Korea for its beauty and resilience.
What is the yellow flower in Korea?
The Forsythia koreana is a well-known yellow flower in Korea, especially as it heralds spring.
What does sunflower signify in Korea?
Sunflowers in Korea symbolize happiness, vitality, and positive energy.
What does the yellow rose mean in Korea?
Yellow roses in Korea often represent friendship and cheer, but they can also symbolize jealousy and infidelity in some contexts.
What do white roses mean in Korea?
White roses in Korea typically symbolize innocence, purity, and respect.
Wrap Up
Now that you know how to say “flower” in Korean and know a bit more about Korean culture, what other great Korean words do you wish to learn? Let us know, and we’ll make the magic happen! In the meantime, you can learn more interesting vocabulary from our blog. This time, about Animals in Korean!
Photo Credit: BigStockPhoto
how to say “jasmine flowers are blooming” in korean please? thank u!
Hi Jasmin, you can say “재스민 꽃이 피어요.” ^^
Hello there! Are we allowed to use 화 in place of 꽃 in a conversation, when referring to flowers? :0
Hi, Jasmine! You should say 꽃 when you want to talk about generally any flower. For example, “꽃 사러 가자.” (Let’s go buy some flowers.) 화 is used when you refer to certain species of flowers, such as “매화” (apricot blossom), “수선화” (daffodil), etc.. ^^
Hi, please help me to understand as I arrived here looking for the answer.
I esa watching the drama “Tomorrow with you”, where main female caracter Is called Bap soon because when Child actress had a line saying “give me rice” and people continue calling her like that. That’s a torture for her. Then the main male character calls her “flower” (looking deeply I found sb said he calles ver kkot soon) and she feels relieved.
It’s hard to understand such emotion without the real words, could be kkot+soon something else?
Thanks!
Hi, Lau! In Korea, we usually add ‘-순’ [soon] after a noun to call a girl with that feature. For example, 밥 means ‘rice or a meal’, so 밥순 means ‘a girl who likes rice or who likes to eat’. He calls her 꽃순 in the drama because 꽃 means ‘flower’ and so 꽃순 would mean that the girl is as pretty as a flower. ^^
WOW… how much we lost in translation!!! and with romanization
Now I can understand her, why she was so happy with him changing her nickname…
oh he’s so cute n_n
THANK YOU A LOT ♥♥♥
고맙십니다
Glad we could help. ^^
How would I ask someone “what type of flowers are those? or “what are these flowers?”
Hi, Ivis! You can say “이 꽃은 뭐예요?” (What are these flowers?) generally. ^^