아기
agi[a̠ɡi]
The Korean word for "baby" is 아기 (agi). Wiktionary also lists 유아 (yua) and 젖먹이 (jeonmeogi).
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 아기 | agi | [a̠ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 유아 | yua | [jua̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 젖먹이 | jeonmeogi | [t͡ɕʌ̹nmʌ̹ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The words in this group refer to a very young human being. While 아기 is the standard term, you may encounter more specific or context-dependent versions such as 유아 for infants or toddlers in official settings and 젖먹이 for a baby specifically emphasizing the nursing stage.
Which one should you use?
아기 is the standard word for "baby". In contrast, 유아 is a more technical term used to refer to an infant or toddler, whereas 젖먹이 is more descriptive and specifically emphasizes the baby's stage of being a nursing infant.
How do you pronounce it?
agi
Did you know?
- Korean speakers often use 아기 to refer to pets, such as dogs or cats, to express a nurturing or parental affection.
- The term 젖먹이 literally describes the act of 'milk eating', reflecting how Korean uses 'eat' for both solids and liquids.
- In Middle Korean, the word for 'baby' was written as 아〮기, which included a tonal mark to indicate a specific pitch.
Examples in context
- 이 애는 내 아기다.This is my baby.This sentence shows how to use 아기 to identify a baby.Tatoeba #11106371 by intertime, translation #1898108 by CK
- 우리 아기는 아직 말을 못해.Our baby cannot talk yet.This sentence demonstrates using 아기 when describing a baby's ability to talk.Tatoeba #8358264 by Eunhee, translation #65556 by CC
- 아기가 침대에서 울고 있었어.The baby was crying in bed.This sentence shows 아기 being used to describe a baby's actions.Tatoeba #8361523 by Eunhee, translation #272357 by CK
- 영유아들을 선생님께 보여드리고 싶습니다.I would like to show the babies to the teacher.
- 우리 애기가 정말 귀여워!Our baby is so cute!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are looking at a photograph.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 아기 정말 귀엽다!i agi jeongmal gwiyeopda!This baby is really cute!
- 서연 Seo-yeon고마워. 내 조카야.gomawo. nae joka-ya.Thanks. It's my niece.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아기 옷이 너무 예뻐요.agi osi neomu yeppeoyo.The baby's clothes are so pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아, 선물로 받았어.maja, seonmullo badasseo.Right, I got them as a gift.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries 아기, 유아, 젖먹이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아기, 유아, 젖먹이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
