분필
bunpil[punpʰiɭ]
The English word "chalk" is 분필 (bunpil) in Korean.
분필 refers to a piece of chalk used for drawing and on a blackboard.
Meaning: a piece of chalk used for drawing and on a blackboard (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bunpil.
Did you know?
- The character 분 in 분필 is the same root used in the Korean word for 'powder' or 'face powder' 분, showing that the language categorizes chalk primarily by its material consistency rather than its function.
- Because chalk is associated with traditional teaching, using 분필 in a modern digital classroom can sometimes be used metaphorically to refer to a 'traditional' or 'old-school' style of lecturing.
- While 분필 is the standard word, you may see 백분 in older texts or formal settings, which literally means 'white powder' and was used before the specific term for chalk became universal.
Examples in context
- 저는 분필을 좋아해요.I like chalk.
- 분필로 그림을 그려 봤어요.I tried drawing with chalk.
- 선생님이 분필로 글을 써 주세요.Teacher, please write with chalk.
- 칠판에 분필로 글씨를 써요.chilpan-e bunpil-lo geulssireul sseoyo.I write letters on the blackboard with chalk.
- 분필 가루가 너무 많아요.bunpil garuga neomu manhayo.There is too much chalk dust.
- 새 분필 한 통 주세요.sae bunpil han tong juseyo.Please give me a box of new chalk.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are in a classroom.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 분필 좀 빌려줄래요?Jihun ssi, bunpil jom billyeojullaeyo?Jihun, can you lend me some chalk?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 여기 있어요.ne, yeogi isseoyo.Yes, here it is.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요. 분필이 다 떨어졌어요.gomawoyo. bunpil-i da tteoreojyeosseoyo.Thank you. I ran out of chalk.
- 지훈 Ji-hun별말씀을요. 천천히 쓰세요.byeolmasseumeullyo. cheoncheonhi sseuseyo.You're welcome. Take your time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chalk” translations and entries 분필, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
