Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 용 | yong | [joŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 미르 | mireu | [miɾɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 룡 | ryong | [ɾjoŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
용 refers to the mythical creature. It is also used in several common idioms, such as the expression 개천에서 용 났다, which describes a person of humble beginnings achieving great success.
Which one should you use?
용 is the standard form. 룡 is the North Korean variant. 미르 is an archaic, native Korean word used primarily in literature or fantasy settings. Additionally, the borrowed English term 드래곤 is used in informal contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
룡 is the spelling used in North Korea instead of the South Korean standard 용.
How do you pronounce it?
yong
When do people say it?
The idiom 개천에서 용 났다 (a dragon emerged from a brook) is used when someone's rise to greatness is strikingly unexpected due to their lowly background. It suggests that even a small stream can be the birthplace of a dragon. In a different context, the phrase 이 논엔 용이 올라갔다 (the dragon has risen in this paddy) is an idiom used to state that there is no water in a rice field.
Did you know?
- In ancient Korean folklore, an 'Imugi' is a giant python that must survive for a thousand years or find a wish-granting bead to finally become a 용.
- Unlike Western dragons that are often depicted as monsters to be slain, the Korean 용 is traditionally viewed as a benevolent symbol of power and protector of the rain.
- The term 용 is used in the word 용돈 to refer to 'pocket money', though here the character means 'use' rather than 'dragon'.
Examples in context
- 이 논엔 용이 올라갔다.The dragon has risen. Idiom meaning that there is no water in this paddy.The example using 용 shows an idiom meaning there is no water in a rice paddy.
- 개천에서 용 났다.A dragon has emerged out of a brook. This is said when a great man emerged out of the most unlikely background. That is, what appears so unlikely happened strikingly in reality. It also suggests that a long river can be an analogy, embodiment, or at least the birthplace of a dragon.The example using 용 illustrates the idiom for a person of humble beginnings achieving greatness.
- 옛날 이야기에서 용은 항상 용감하고 훌륭한 존재로 그려졌어요.In ancient stories, dragons were always depicted as brave and magnificent creatures
- 네, 그렇습니다. 대부분의 문화에서 용은 힘과 지혜의 상징으로 여겨져 왔어요.Yes, that's true. Dragons have been considered symbols of strength and wisdom in most cultures.
- 임마, 저 영화에 드래곤이 진짜 멋있더라.Hey, that dragon in the movie was really cool
- 그래? 나도 그 영화 좋아하는데 드래곤 뿐만 아니라 전체 스토리도 재밌었어.Really? I also liked that movie, not only the dragon but the whole story was interesting
- 동화 속에 용이 나와요.donghwa soge yongi nawayo.A dragon appears in the fairy tale.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book in a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이 그림 속의 용은 정말 멋지다!i geurim sogui yongeun jeongmal meotjida!The dragon in this picture is really cool!
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아, 현우야. 아주 강력해 보여.maja, hyeonuya. aju gangnyeokhae boyeo.Right, Hyunwoo. It looks very powerful.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연아, 너는 용을 좋아하니?seoyeona, neoneun yongeul johani?Seoyeon, do you like dragons?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 나는 용이 제일 좋아.eung, naneun yongi jeil joha.Yes, dragons are my favorite.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragon” translations and entries 용, 미르, 룡, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
