곰
gom[ko̞(ː)m]
The Korean word for bear is 곰 (gom).
곰 refers to the large mammal of the family Ursidae.
Meaning: large mammal of family Ursidae (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 곰 is the standard term for the animal, 곰돌이 is used as an affectionate or cute way to refer to a bear, often when speaking to children.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
gom
Did you know?
- In the Korean foundation myth, a bear named 웅녀 lived in a cave and ate only garlic and mugwort for 100 days to become a human woman.
- In Korean, the word 곰 can also mean 'to simmer slowly' when used as a verb, which is a completely different meaning from the animal.
- The word 곰 shares an ancient root with the Japanese word for bear, kuma, suggesting a prehistoric connection between the two languages.
Examples in context
- 곰처럼 미련하다To be stupid like a bearThis sentence is useful for illustrating how 곰 can be used in a comparison to describe someone as being foolish.
- 곰은 많은 나라에서 발견됩니다.Bears are found in many countries.
- 곰이 너무 귀여워!Bears are so cute!
- 곰돌이가 노래를 불러줬어요!The bear cub sang a song for me!
- 그 곰은 정말 커요.geu gom-eun jeongmal keoyo.That bear is really big.
- 동물원에서 곰을 봤어요.dongmulwoneseo gom-eul bwasseoyo.I saw a bear at the zoo.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book about animals.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 그림 속에 곰이 있어.i geurim sog-e gom-i isseo.There is a bear in this picture.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아, 정말 귀여운 곰이야.maja, jeongmal gwiyeoun gom-iya.Right, it's a really cute bear.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈아, 너도 곰 좋아해?subin-a, neo-do gom joahae?Subin, do you like bears too?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 나는 곰을 정말 좋아해.eung, naneun gom-eul jeongmal joahae.Yes, I really like bears.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bear” translations and entries 곰, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 곰, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
