뻐꾸기
ppeokkugi[p͈ʌ̹k͈uɡi]
The English phrase "cuckoo" can be translated into Korean as 뻐꾸기 (ppeokkugi) or 두견새.
Meaning: the bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 뻐꾸기 | ppeokkugi | [p͈ʌ̹k͈uɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 두견새 | dugyeonsae | [tuɡjʌ̹nsʰɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [tuɡjʌ̹nsʰe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
뻐꾸기 is the standard, everyday term used to refer to the cuckoo bird. 두견새 is a more specialized term used to refer to cuckoo species within a poetic or literary context.
Which one should you use?
뻐꾸기 is the common, everyday word for the bird. In contrast, 두견새 is a literary term often used in classical literature or songs to evoke feelings of sadness or longing.
How do you pronounce it?
ppeokkugi
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean poetry, the cry of the 두견새 is sometimes linked to the soul of a deceased king.
- Unlike English, which uses 'cuckoo' to describe a crazy person, Korean does not use 뻐꾸기 as a slang term for madness.
- The term 두견새 is a hybrid, combining the Sino-Korean word 두견 with the native Korean word for bird, 새.
Examples in context
- 뻐꾸기 노래는 아름답다고 들었어요.I heard that the song of a cuckoo bird is beautiful.
- 숲에서 뻐꾸기 소리가 들려요.sup-eseo ppeokku-gi so-ri-ga deul-lyeo-yo.I hear a cuckoo singing in the forest.
- 저 나무 위에 뻐꾸기가 있어요.jeo na-mu wi-e ppeokku-gi-ga iss-eo-yo.There is a cuckoo on that tree.
- 뻐꾸기는 봄에 나타나요.ppeokku-gi-neun bom-e na-ta-na-yo.Cuckoos appear in the spring.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are walking in a park.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 저 새 소리 들려요?Seoyeon ssi, jeo sae sori deullyeoyo?Seoyeon, do you hear that bird sound?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 정말 예쁜 소리네요.ne, jeongmal yeppeun sorineyo.Yes, it is a really beautiful sound.
- 도현 Do-hyeon제 생각에 저건 뻐꾸기 같아요.je saenggage jeogeon ppeokkugi gatayo.I think that is a cuckoo.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 뻐꾸기 소리가 맞네요!majayo, ppeokkugi soriga matneyo!You're right, it is the sound of a cuckoo!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cuckoo” translations and entries 뻐꾸기, 두견새, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 두견새, 뻐꾸기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
