병
byeong[pjʌ̹ŋ]
The Korean word for bottle is 병 (byeong).
병 is used to refer to a container, specifically a bottle.
Meaning: container (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When used with numbers to count the number of bottles, 병 acts as a counter. For example, when counting two bottles, the number two changes from 둘 to 두 to become 두 병.
How do you pronounce it?
byeong
Did you know?
- The word 병 is a homonym with several entirely different meanings. Depending on the context, it can mean 'bottle', 'illness', 'soldier' or the third heavenly stem in the sexagenary cycle.
- While 병 is the general word for bottle, Koreans often use 'plastic' as a modifier to specify a plastic bottle, as the word 병 often evokes the image of glass.
- When ordering drinks in a restaurant, saying 한 병 더 ('one bottle more') is a culturally standard way to keep a gathering going without explicitly asking for a refill.
Examples in context
- 와인 한 병 더 주세요.One more bottle of wine, please.This sentence is useful for ordering one more bottle of wine.Tatoeba #7999535 by ciwlx, translation #503831 by CK
- 레드와인 한 병을 땄다.I opened a bottle of red wine.This sentence is useful for saying you opened a bottle of red wine.Tatoeba #11105427 by intertime, translation #2389570 by CK
- 톰은 와인 한 병을 마셨다.Tom drank a whole bottle of wine.This sentence is useful for describing someone drinking a whole bottle of wine.Tatoeba #11104836 by intertime, translation #6261835 by CK
- 저는 물병을 사러 가겠습니다.I will go and buy a water bottle.
- 이 곳에서 재활용 용기를 분리해 주세요.Please separate the recyclable bottles/containers here.
- 다른 곳에 있는 페트병을 가져와 줄래?Can you bring me the plastic bottle from elsewhere?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are cleaning up after a party.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연아, 저 빈 병 좀 치워줘.Seoyeon-a, jeo bin byeong jom chiwo-jwo.Seoyeon, please clean up those empty bottles.
- 서연 Seo-yeon알았어, 도현아. 내가 치울게.Arasseo, Dohyun-a. Naega chiulge.Okay, Dohyun. I will clean them up.
- 도현 Do-hyeon재활용 병은 따로 모아줘.Jaehwalyong byeong-eun ttaro mo-ajwo.Please collect the recycling bottles separately.
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 알았어.Eung, arasseo.Yeah, I got it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bottle” translations and entries 병, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
