공룡
gongnyong[ˈko̞(ː)ŋɲoŋ]
The English word "dinosaur" is translated into Korean as 공룡 (gongnyong).
공룡 is a noun used to refer to a prehistoric reptile.
Meaning: prehistoric reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
gongnyong
Did you know?
- The word 공룡 literally translates to 'fearful dragon' because it is composed of the characters for 'fear' and 'dragon'.
- The word 공룡 is a Sino-Korean term, meaning it is derived from Chinese characters rather than being a native Korean word.
- Because 공룡 is based on Chinese characters, it shares the same written root as the word for dinosaur in Chinese and Japanese.
Examples in context
- 저는 공룡에 대해 많이 연구했어요.I have conducted extensive research on dinosaurs.
- 공룡은 정말 커요.gongnyong-eun jeongmal keoyo.Dinosaurs are really big.
- 박물관에서 공룡 뼈를 봤어요.bakmulgwan-eseo gongnyong ppyeo-reul bwasseoyo.I saw dinosaur bones at the museum.
- 어떤 공룡을 가장 좋아해요?eotteon gongnyong-eul gajang joahae-yo?Which dinosaur do you like most?
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are talking about a children's book.
- 지은 Ji-eun이 책에 공룡이 많이 나와요.i chaek-e gongnyong-i mani nawayo.There are many dinosaurs in this book.
- 민준 Min-jun민준이는 어떤 공룡을 좋아해요?minjun-ineun eotteon gongnyong-eul joahaeyo?Which dinosaur does Min-jun like?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 티라노사우루스 공룡을 좋아해요.jeoneun tiranosaurusu gongnyong-eul joahaeyo.I like the Tyrannosaurus dinosaur.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 멋진 공룡이네요!jeongmal meotjin gongnyong-ineyo!That is a really cool dinosaur!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dinosaur” translations and entries 공룡, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공룡, CC BY-SA 4.0.
