물소
mulso[muɭs͈o̞]
The English word buffalo is translated into Korean as 물소 (mulso). Wiktionary also lists 야우 (yau).
Meaning: bovid of the Bubalina subtribe (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 물소 | mulso | [muɭs͈o̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 야우 | yau |
The term refers to the bovid of the Bubalina subtribe. When referring to the specific city in New York State, the transliterated name 버펄로 is used instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 물소 is a compound of 물, meaning 'water' and 소, meaning 'ox' or 'cow'.
Which one should you use?
물소 refers to the animal, whereas 버펄로 is a transliteration used specifically for the city in New York or as a loanword in certain contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
mulso
Did you know?
- While 물소 is the biological term, Koreans often use the loanword 버펄로 when referring to the American bison, even though both are called 'buffalo' in English.
- The Korean word 물소 shares the same literal construction as the Chinese 水牛 and Japanese 水牛, all translating to 'water bull'.
- In Korea, the word 소 is used as a general term for cattle, but it can specifically evoke the image of a hardworking, selfless animal in cultural folklore.
Examples in context
- 물소가 매우 커요.mul-so-ga mae-u keo-yo.The buffalo is very big.
- 농장에 물소가 있어요.nong-jang-e mul-so-ga iss-eo-yo.There is a buffalo on the farm.
- 물소가 물을 마셔요.mul-so-ga mul-eul ma-syeo-yo.The buffalo is drinking water.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hun are looking at a picture book in a library.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 이 물소 좀 보세요.Ji-hun ssi, i mul-so jom bo-se-yo.Ji-hun, look at this buffalo.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 크고 멋진 물소네요.Jeong-mal keu-go meot-jin mul-so-ne-yo.It is a really big and cool buffalo.
- 지은 Ji-eun뿔이 아주 강해 보여요.ppul-i a-ju gang-hae bo-yeo-yo.The horns look very strong.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요, 정말 힘이 세겠어요.ma-ja-yo, jeong-mal him-i se-get-eo-yo.You're right, it must be very powerful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buffalo” translations and entries 물소, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 물소, CC BY-SA 4.0.
