귀뚜라미
gwitturami[kɥit͈uɾa̠mi]
In Korean, the English word "cricket" can refer to either the insect or the sport, depending on the term used. The default form is 귀뚜라미 (gwitturami).
Meaning: game (noun)
Which one should you use?
귀뚜라미 is used for the insect, while 크리켓 is the term used for the sport.
How do you pronounce it?
gwitturami
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, the sound of the 귀뚜라미 is often associated with autumn and a sense of longing or nostalgia for home.
- The term 귀뚜라미 first appeared in written records in 1481 within the 분류두공부시언해, a translation of poems by the Chinese poet Su Shi.
- The word 귀뚜라미 is an example of an onomatopoeia, mimicking the rhythmic chirping sound the insect makes.
Examples in context
- 나는 크리켓에 대해 잘 알지 못해요.I don't know much about cricket.
- 크리켓 경기를 보는 걸 좋아해요.I enjoy watching cricket matches.
- 너 때문에 크리켓에 대해 궁금해졌어.Thanks to you, I became curious about cricket.
- 귀뚜라미는 흥미로운 소리를 내요.Crickets make an interesting sound.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are walking in a garden at night.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 저 소리 들려요?dohyeon ssi, jeo sori deullyeoyo?Do-hyeon, do you hear that sound?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 귀뚜라미 소리 같아요.ne, gwitturami sori gat-ayo.Yes, I think it is a cricket.
- 지은 Ji-eun가을이 정말 왔나 봐요.gaeul-i jeongmal wann-a bwayo.I guess autumn has really arrived.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 소리가 참 좋네요.majayo, sori-ga cham jon-neyo.You're right, the sound is very nice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 귀뚜라미, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 귀뚜라미, CC BY-SA 4.0.
