야구
yagu[ˈja̠(ː)ɡu]
The Korean word for baseball is 야구 (yagu). Wiktionary also lists 베이스볼 (beiseubol).
Meaning: ball game (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 야구 | yagu | [ˈja̠(ː)ɡu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 베이스볼 | beiseubol | [pe̞isʰɯbo̞ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
야구 is the universal term for baseball understood by all Koreans.
Which one should you use?
While 야구 is the standard term for the sport, 베이스볼 is the phonetic transliteration of the English word 'baseball' and is used primarily in brand names, song titles or specific loanword contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
yagu
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is common to see fans eating '치맥', a combination of '치킨' (chicken) and '맥주' (beer), while watching 야구.
- The term 야구 is actually a Sino-Korean word that originates from the Japanese word for baseball, yakyū.
- Because 야구 uses Sino-Korean characters, the word 구 (ball) appears in many other sports like 농구 (basketball) and 배구 (volleyball).
Examples in context
- 톰은 야구 모자를 쓰고 있어.Tom is wearing a baseball cap.This sentence shows how to use 야구 in the context of a baseball cap.Tatoeba #8398453 by Eunhee, translation #4629957 by Amastan
- 야구의 뭐가 그렇게 재미있어?What's so interesting about baseball?This sentence uses 야구 to ask about the interest level of the sport.Tatoeba #13118620 by romzzo, translation #3380565 by passionstrings
- 난 야구 시합을 티비로 보는 것이 제일 좋다.I like nothing so much as to watch baseball games on television.This sentence shows how to use 야구 when discussing watching baseball games.Tatoeba #3674963 by ssuss32, translation #39242 by AlanF_US
- 오늘 야구 경기를 보러 갈 거야.I'm going to watch a baseball game today.
- 야구를 배우고 싶어요.I want to learn how to play baseball.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨는 야구를 좋아해요?Minjun ssi-neun yagu-reul joahae-yo?Minjun, do you like baseball?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 저는 야구를 정말 좋아해요.Ne, jeo-neun yagu-reul jeongmal joahae-yo.Yes, I really like baseball.
- 서연 Seo-yeon직접 하는 것도 좋아해요?Jikjeop haneun geot-do joahae-yo?Do you also like playing it yourself?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 가끔 동호회에서 해요.Ne, gakkeum donghohoe-eseo hae-yo.Yes, I play with a club sometimes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baseball” translations and entries 야구, 베이스볼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 베이스볼, 야구, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
