How to Say "Cartoon" in Korean

만화

manhwa[ˈma̠(ː)nβwa̠]

The English phrase "cartoon" is translated into Korean as 만화 (manhwa).

The term 만화 is used to refer to both traditional paper-based comics and digital webtoons in a general sense.

Meaning: humorous drawing or strip (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 만화 is the general term for comics, 웹툰 is specifically used to refer to digital comics optimized for smartphone scrolling.

manhwa

The word 만화 is composed of characters meaning 'unrestrained drawing', implying a style of art that is free from the strict constraints of realistic representation.
In South Korea, if you are looking for a 'webtoon' specifically, you would use 웹툰, which is a term that has actually been exported back into global English slang.
In Korea, the term 만화 can refer to an entire industry and a specific artistic movement, whereas 'cartoon' in English often implies a short, single-panel joke.

저는 만화를 좋아합니다.
I like cartoons.
일본의 애니메이션도 좋아해요.
I also like Japanese anime.
아이들이 만화를 볼 때 잘 따라합니다.
Children imitate well when watching cartoons.
카툰은 항상 우리를 웃게 만들어줍니다.
Cartoons always make us laugh.
이 만화 정말 재미있어요.
i manhwa jeongmal jaemiisseoyo.
This cartoon is really funny.
저는 어릴 때 만화를 좋아했어요.
jeoneun eoril ttae manhwareul joahaesseoyo.
I liked cartoons when I was a child.
서점에서 만화책을 샀어요.
seojeomeseo manhwa-chaegeul sasseoyo.
I bought a cartoon book at the bookstore.

Dohyun and Seoyeon are at a bookstore.

도현 Do-hyeon

서연 씨, 여기 재미있는 만화 많아요.
Seoyeon ssi, yeogi jaemiinneun manhwa manayo.
Seoyeon, there are many funny cartoons here.
서연 Seo-yeon

정말요? 어떤 만화가 제일 유명해요?
jeongmallyo? eotteon manhwaga jeil yumyeonghaeyo?
Really? Which cartoon is the most famous?
도현 Do-hyeon

이 만화가 요즘 아주 인기가 많아요.
i manhwaga yojeum aju ingiga manayo.
This cartoon is very popular these days.
서연 Seo-yeon

그림이 예쁘네요. 저도 읽어 볼게요.
geurimi yeppeuneyo. jeodo ilgeo bolgeyo.
The drawings are pretty. I will read it too.

Sources

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