원
won[wʌ̹n]
The English word 'circle' can be translated into Korean as 원 (won) or 동그라미.
Meaning: geometry: set of points that are equally distant from a center (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 원 | won | [wʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 동그라미 | donggeurami | [to̞ŋɡɯɾa̠mi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term is used to describe a circular shape or a geometric circle. You can also use the related adjective 동그랗다 to describe something that is round, or the phrase 둥근 도형 to mean 'round shape'.
Which one should you use?
Use 원 when referring to a circle in a mathematical, geometric or technical context. In contrast, use 동그라미 when referring to a circle as a drawn shape or a round object in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 동그랗다 is used to describe the quality of being round.
How do you pronounce it?
won
Did you know?
- Korean has a distinct word 둥글다 for 'round', but it can also be used metaphorically to describe a person with a gentle and flexible personality.
- The word 원 is a linguistic relative of the Japanese 'yen' and the Chinese 'yuan'.
- Depending on the speaker's intent, 동그라미 can be changed to 똥그라미 to emphasize the roundness or create a cuter, more intense tone.
Examples in context
- 동그라미를 치다To circleThis sentence shows how to use 동그라미 when you are physically circling an item on a page, such as circling an answer on a test.
- 원을 그려주세요Please draw a circle.
- 원형으로 만들어져 있습니다It is made in the shape of a circle.
- 동그라미 그려봐Try drawing a circle.
- 이것은 아주 큰 원입니다.igeoseun aju keun wonimnida.This is a very large circle.
- 종이에 원을 그리세요.jongie won eul geuriseyo.Please draw a circle on the paper.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are studying math together at a cafe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은아, 이 원의 반지름이 얼마야?jieuna, i wonui banjirem-i eolmaya?Jieun, what is the radius of this circle?
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈아, 반지름은 오 센티미터야.jihuna, banjireum-eun o sentimiteoya.Jihoon, the radius is five centimeters.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 이 원의 넓이도 구해볼까?geureom i wonui neolbi-do guhaebolkka?Then, shall we also find the area of this circle?
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 같이 계산해보자.eung, gachi gyesanhaeboja.Yes, let's calculate it together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “circle” translations and entries 원, 동그라미, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 동그라미, 원, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
