다리
dari[ta̠ɾi]
The Korean word for bridge is 다리 (dari). Wiktionary also lists 교량 (gyoryang) and -교 (-gyo).
Meaning: construction or natural feature that spans a divide (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 다리 | dari | [ta̠ɾi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 교량 | gyoryang | [kjoɾja̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| -교 | -gyo | suffix |
다리 refers to a construction or natural feature that spans a divide. In different contexts, 다리 can also mean a leg or legs.
Which one should you use?
다리 is the common word for both a bridge and a leg, with the meaning determined by the context. 교량 is a more formal or technical term for a bridge, often used in engineering or official contexts. -교 is a suffix used to name specific bridges.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
교량 is used when you need to be formal or technical.
How do you pronounce it?
dari
Did you know?
- Because 다리 means both 'bridge' and 'leg', the expression 다리를 놓다 literally means 'to build a bridge' but is used idiomatically to mean 'to introduce two people' or 'to act as a go-between'.
- Depending on the context, 다리 can refer to the 'bridge' of a pair of glasses, further expanding the word's use to any small connector.
- In Middle Korean, recorded in the 1446 text 'Hunminjeong'eum haerye', the word for bridge was written as ᄃᆞ리.
Examples in context
- 그 소년은 다리에서 추락했다.The boy fell from the bridge.This sentence describes someone falling from a 다리.Tatoeba #11106674 by intertime, translation #46362 by CK
- 물은 다리 밑으로 흐르고 있어.The water flows under the bridge.This sentence describes water flowing under a 다리.Tatoeba #8364912 by Eunhee, translation #1224092 by Ketutar
- 돌아오지 않는 다리는 두 한국을 가른다.The Bridge of No Return separates the two Koreas.This sentence mentions a specific named 다리 that separates the two Koreas.Tatoeba #6305108 by Queserasera, translation #3466320 by patgfisher
- 서울에는 아름다운 교량이 많이 있어요.In Seoul, there are many beautiful bridges.
- 이 교량은 철로 다리입니다.This bridge is a railroad bridge.
- 이 다리에서 사진을 찍어 봐!Take a picture on this bridge!
- 그 다리는 참 아름답다.That bridge is really beautiful.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are walking through a park.
- 수빈 Su-bin저 다리 정말 예쁘네요.jeo dari jeongmal yeppeuneyo.That bridge is really pretty.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 나무로 만든 다리예요.ne, namuro mandeun dariyeyo.Yes, it is a bridge made of wood.
- 수빈 Su-bin우리 저 다리를 건너갈까요?uri jeo darireul geonneogalkkayo?Shall we cross that bridge?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요, 같이 가요.joayo, gachi gayo.Sounds good, let's go together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bridge” translations and entries 다리, 교량, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 교량, 다리, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
