Key Facts
- Korean: 동물, Revised Romanization dongmul
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: Sino-Korean, 動物 (動 move + 物 thing)
- Register: neutral everyday word
- Pet: 반려동물 or 애완동물
Animal in Korean: What Does 동물 Mean?
동물 means animal in general. For a pet specifically, Korean uses a compound: 반려동물 or 애완동물.
How Do You Pronounce 동물?
동물 (dongmul) has two syllables. The ng of 동 leads straight into the m of 물, which ends in a clear l. Before a vowel the ㄹ links over: 동물을 sounds like [동무를].
Example Sentences with 동물
동물을 좋아해요.
Dongmureul joahaeyo.
I like animals.
좋아해요 means "like". Korean often leaves the plural unmarked, so this covers animals in general.
동물원에 가요.
Dongmurwone gayo.
I go to the zoo.
동물원에 가요 means "go to the zoo"; 원 means garden.
어떤 동물을 좋아해요?
Eotteon dongmureul joahaeyo?
What kind of animal do you like?
어떤 means "what kind of", a good question for starting a conversation about pets.
Phrases with 동물
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 동물원 | zoo |
| 야생 동물 | wild animal |
| 동물을 키우다 | to keep animals |
| 동물병원 | animal hospital |
동물병원 is the everyday word for a vet clinic.
A Common Mistake with 동물
- Too broad when you specifically mean a pet: 동물.
- More precise: 반려동물 or 애완동물.
동물 can include pets, but it does not specify that relationship with people. Use a pet word when that detail matters; 동물을 키우다 can still describe keeping a pet when the context is clear.
동물 Compared with 식물 and 짐승
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 동물 | animal | Neutral general word |
| 식물 | plant | The counterpart in biology |
| 짐승 | beast | Native word; often wild, or rude about people |
Choosing What to See at the Zoo
Two visitors are looking at a zoo map. One asks about a favorite animal, and the other suggests their first stop.
Jisu
어떤 동물을 보고 싶어요?
Eotteon dongmureul bogo sipeoyo?
What animal would you like to see?
Alex
사자를 보고 싶어요.
Sajareul bogo sipeoyo.
I would like to see the lions.
Jisu
그럼 사자부터 봐요.
Geureom sajabuteo bwayo.
Then let’s see the lions first.
Alex
좋아요. 같이 가요.
Joayo. Gachi gayo.
Sounds good. Let’s go together.
어떤 동물 asks for a kind of animal. The answer names 사자, lion, without needing to add 동물 again. Korean nouns do not always show English singular or plural, so the same answer can refer to a lion or to the lions in an enclosure. The zoo setting supplies that detail.
Where Will You See 동물 outside a Zoo?
동물병원 is a sign to recognize on a neighborhood street. 병원 means hospital, but the compound names a veterinary clinic or animal hospital. A person who needs treatment goes to a human clinic; someone taking a sick cat needs the place with 동물 in the name.
야생 동물 appears on nature programs and in notices about wildlife. 야생 means living in the wild. It describes the animal's situation, not simply a fierce personality: a small bird can be a wild animal too. 동물 보호 means animal protection, so the phrase points to care or welfare rather than a particular species.
A venue notice mentioning 반려동물 is about pets specifically. Look for 동반, “accompanying,” and 출입, “entry,” nearby. The complete notice tells you whether bringing a pet is allowed. Recognizing the noun alone does not tell you the venue's rule.
Keeping, Feeding and Counting Animals
동물을 키우다 means to raise or keep animals. 키우다 also has the sense of helping something grow, so it describes ongoing care. It is different from seeing an animal on a walk or visiting one at a zoo. To make the pet meaning explicit, use 반려동물을 키우다.
먹이를 주다 means to give animal feed or food. 먹이 names food for an animal; giving it does not imply that you own the animal. A zoo or park may have a notice about feeding, so read the permission or prohibition that follows rather than treating 먹이 as an invitation.
Animals are commonly counted with 마리. 한 마리 is one animal and 두 마리 is two. Use these when the number matters; 동물을 좋아해요 needs no counter because it expresses a general liking. The extra syllable 들 can mark a plural, but it is not required every time English uses “animals.”
Animal Words That Answer Different Questions
| Korean | Meaning | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 반려동물 | pet / companion animal | Tells you about the animal's relationship with people. |
| 강아지 | puppy / dog in affectionate everyday talk | A specific familiar animal rather than the whole category. |
| 고양이 | cat | A species name that can answer 어떤 동물. |
| 먹이 | animal food / feed | The food an animal eats. |
| 마리 | animal counter | Put it after the number when counting animals. |
The animal vocabulary lesson supplies more species names. 동물 is the category word; the species, pet term and counter let you make the description more precise.
Quick Self-Test
- Does 야생 동물 necessarily mean a dangerous animal?
- What counter goes with two animals?
- Which sign names a vet clinic?
Show answers
- No. It means a wild animal, including harmless wildlife.
- 마리: 두 마리.
- 동물병원.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Say Animal in Korean?
Say 동물 (dongmul). It is the neutral everyday word for any animal, from pets to wildlife. It is Sino-Korean, from 動物, "moving thing". Useful compounds include 동물원, zoo, and 동물병원, animal hospital or vet clinic.
How Do You Say Pet in Korean?
Say 반려동물, "companion animal", or the older 애완동물. 반려동물 is now the more common and respectful term in media and official use, while 애완동물 is still widely understood. 동물 on its own just means animal, not specifically a pet.
How Do You Say Zoo in Korean?
A zoo is 동물원, from 동물 plus 원, garden or park. 동물원에 가요 means "I go to the zoo". Large zoos in Korea, such as the one at Seoul Grand Park, are popular family outings, so the word comes up often.
What Is the Difference between 동물 and 짐승?
동물 is the neutral word for any animal. 짐승 is a native word for a beast, often a wild four-legged animal. Applied to a person, 짐승 is an insult meaning someone brutal or animal-like, so use 동물 when you simply mean animals.
Related Words and Next Steps
- See more animal words.
- Find more single words like animal in the Korean words A to Z index.
- One animal to start with: bear.
- Review animal (동물) with the vocabulary flashcard decks.