How to Say "Balloon" in Korean

풍선

pungseon[pʰuŋsʰʌ̹n]

The English word balloon can be translated into Korean as 풍선 (pungseon) or 기구.

Meaning: child’s toy (noun)

Ways to say it

“balloon” in Korean
Korean	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
풍선	pungseon	[pʰuŋsʰʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)
기구	gigu	[kiɡu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)

풍선 is the standard word used for both the rubber toy balloons and the general concept of a balloon.

While 풍선 refers to the toy balloon, 기구 is used for technical apparatuses or specialized equipment like a hot air balloon (열기구).

pungseon

Korean speakers use the word 풍선 in the idiom 풍선 효과, which translates to 'balloon effect'. It describes how pushing a problem in one area only causes it to bulge in another.
The word 풍선 literally translates to 'wind ship' because it is composed of the characters for 'wind' and 'boat'.
The word 기구 can also mean 'organization' or 'institution' in a completely different context, depending on the Hanja used.

생일 파티에 풍선을 터뜨려 봅시다!
Let's pop the balloons at the birthday party!
요즘 트렌드는 투명한 풍선이에요.
Transparent balloons are trendy nowadays.
아이가 풍선을 들고 있어요.
a-i-ga pung-seon-eul deul-go it-eo-yo.
The child is holding a balloon.
생일 파티에 풍선이 많이 필요해요.
saeng-il pa-ti-e pung-seon-i man-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
We need many balloons for the birthday party.
알록달록한 풍선이 정말 예뻐요.
al-rok-dal-rok-han pung-seon-i jeong-mal ye-ppeo-yo.
The colorful balloons are really pretty.

Hyunwoo and Minji are preparing for a birthday party.

현우 Hyeon-woo

민지 씨, 풍선 어디에 있어요?
Minji ssi, pungseon eodie isseoyo?
Minji, where are the balloons?
민지 Min-ji

테이블 위에 많이 있어요.
teibeul wie mani isseoyo.
There are many on the table.
현우 Hyeon-woo

같이 풍선을 불어 볼까요?
gachi pungseoneul bureo bolkkayo?
Shall we blow up the balloons together?
민지 Min-ji

네, 좋아요. 지금 시작해요.
ne, joayo. jigeum sijakhaeyo.
Yes, that sounds good. Let's start now.

Sources

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