호박
hobak[ˈɸʷo̞(ː)ba̠k̚]
The English word "amber" can be translated into Korean as 호박 (hobak).
Meaning: colour (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 호박 means both "amber" and "pumpkin".
How do you pronounce it?
hobak
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that 호박 is used for both the gemstone/color and the vegetable pumpkin.
Did you know?
- Historically, the term 호박 was used to describe items coming from Qing China, which was viewed as 'barbaric' by the Koreans of that era.
- In writing, the amber meaning of 호박 uses completely different Hanja (Chinese characters) than the pumpkin version. The gemstone is written as 琥珀, making them distinct in formal texts.
Examples in context
- 이 반지는 호박색이에요.i banjineun hobaksaegieyo.This ring is amber colored.
- 호박색 액체가 흘러나왔어요.hobaksaek aekchega heulleonawasseoyo.An amber liquid flowed out.
- 노을이 호박색으로 물들었어요.noeuri hobaksaeg-euro muldeureosseoyo.The sunset turned amber.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are looking at jewelry in a store.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 이 목걸이 어때요?dohyeon ssi, i mokgeori eottaeyo?Do-hyeon, what do you think of this necklace?
- 도현 Do-hyeon색깔이 정말 예쁜 호박 색이네요.saekkkari jeongmal yeppeun hobak saegineyo.The color is a really pretty amber.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 아주 따뜻한 느낌이에요.majayo, aju ttatteutan neukkimi-eyo.Right, it has a very warm feeling.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨에게 정말 잘 어울릴 거예요.jieun ssi-ege jeongmal jal eoulril geoyeyo.It will look great on you, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 호박, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 호박, CC BY-SA 4.0.
