Korean · Vocabulary

Korean Animal Words

From puppies to tigers, here is your complete guide to Korean animal vocabulary. These words come up in everyday Korean conversation, K-dramas, and are great for beginners building core vocabulary.

M
Mia · phrasesbymia.com · 8 min read

Common Animals in Korean

Animal vocabulary is one of the most fun and visual parts of any language. Here are the most common Korean animal words.

Pets and Domestic Animals

강아지
gangaji
Puppy / Dog
고양이
goyangi
Cat
토끼
tokki
Rabbit
햄스터
haemseuteo
Hamster
새
sae
Bird
물고기
mulgogi
Fish
거북이
geobuki
Turtle
소
so
Cow
돼지
dwaeji
Pig
닭
dak
Chicken

Wild Animals

사자
saja
Lion
호랑이
horangi
Tiger
곰
gom
Bear
코끼리
kokkiri
Elephant
기린
girin
Giraffe
원숭이
wonsungi
Monkey
늑대
neukdae
Wolf
여우
yeou
Fox
사슴
saseum
Deer
펭귄
penggwin
Penguin
독수리
dokssuri
Eagle
뱀
baem
Snake
악어
ageo
Crocodile
상어
sangeo
Shark
고래
gorae
Whale

Insects and Small Creatures

나비
nabi
Butterfly
벌
beol
Bee
개미
gaemi
Ant
거미
geomi
Spider
달팽이
dalpaengi
Snail

Animal Sounds in Korean

Korean animal sounds are completely different from English. These are fun to learn.

멍멍
meongmeong
Dog sound (woof)
야옹
yaong
Cat sound (meow)
꼬끼오
kkokkio
Rooster sound
음메
eumme
Cow sound (moo)
꿀꿀
kkkulkkkul
Pig sound (oink)

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Vocabulary is the foundation. A structured course teaches you to use these words naturally in real Korean conversation through dialogues and speaking practice.

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