Vocabulario coreano para reírte (y aprender): 물

Did you know that in Korean the word "ampoule" is literally a "water house"?

Or that "seal" is called "water dog"? If you're already doubting the seriousness of the Korean language, don't worry: that's part of its charm. Today I bring you real, funny and visual Korean vocabulary that combines the word "물" (water) with other words to form expressions so logical they seem made up.

    • 📌 물집 (ampoule) = 물 (water) + 집 (house)
      Literal translation: "Little house of water".
      And what is a blister if not that? A water-filled bubble that temporarily lives on your skin.
      Example: 신발 때문에 발에 물집이 생겼어요. (I got a blister on my foot because of my shoes).

 

    • 물개 (seal) = 물 (water) + 개 (dog)
      Literal translation: "Water dog".
      It's impossible not to imagine a seal on a muzzle and leash. Although the funny thing is... it looks a bit like one!
      Example: 물개가 물속에서 너무 빨리 수영해요. (The seal swims very fast underwater.)

 

    • 📌 물고기 (fish) = 물 (water) + 고기 (flesh / animal)
      Literal translation: "Flesh of water".
      The fish is exactly that: an animal that lives and moves in water. As direct as it is poetic.
      Example: 그 호수에는 물고기가 풍부해요. (Fish are plentiful in that lake.)

 

    • 📌 물안경 (water goggles) = 물 (water) + 안경 (goggles)
      Literal translation: "Goggles for the water")
      What we call swimming goggles in Korean sounds like an underwater superhero gadget.
      Example: 물안경 없으면 눈이 아파요. (My eyes hurt if I swim without goggles).

 

    • 물약 (syrup) = 물 (water) + 약 (medicine)
      Literal translation: "Liquid medicine".
      Not to be confused with sweet drinks. Although Korean syrups sometimes look like something out of a sweet shop.
      Example: 감기에 걸려서 물약을 먹었어요. (I drank syrup because I caught a cold.)

 

    • 📌 국물 (stock) = 국 (soup) + 물 (water)
      Literal translation: "soup water".
      The liquid that's left in the bowl when you've eaten all the good stuff... and the best thing is that Koreans value it almost more than solids.
      Example: 라면 끓이다가 손가락을 데었어요. (I burnt my finger making ramen.)

 

🎮 Do you want to learn this vocabulary in a fun way?

I've created a set of flashcards in Quizlet for you to practice these words with games, audios and quizzes - learning Korean has never been so visual and literal! Click here here to memorise these words.

💾 Download the summary of the article as PDF

Do you want to review this vocabulary offline or take it with you for review? Download this printable document with the words, examples in Korean, related expressions and practice exercises.
 
 

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