오리
ori[ˈo̞(ː)ɾi]
The word for "duck" in Korean is 오리 (ori).
오리 refers to the aquatic bird of the family Anatidae. To specify 'duck meat' as a food item, you add 고기 (meat) after 오리 to form 오리 고기.
Meaning: aquatic bird of the family Anatidae (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ori
Did you know?
- The phrase 오리무중 (ori-mu-jung) uses the word for 'duck' to describe being completely lost or in a state of total confusion. It literally evokes the image of a duck lost in a thick fog.
- The word 오리 is a homonym for a traditional unit of distance equal to about 400 meters. This can lead to puns or confusion in sentences that do not provide a clear context of birds or travel.
- Duck meat, or 오리 고기, is traditionally viewed in Korea as a health food that is beneficial for the skin and respiratory system. It is often smoked or served as a roast to reduce its natural gaminess.
Examples in context
- 소는 "음메", 닭은 "꼬꼬댁 꼬꼬", 돼지는 "꿀꿀", 오리는 "꽥꽥", 고양이는 "야옹".The cow goes "moo," the rooster goes "cock-a-doodle-doo," the pig goes "oink, oink," the duck goes "quack, quack" and the cat goes "meow."This sentence is useful for learning the various onomatopoeic sounds animals make, including the sound for 오리.Tatoeba #6822000 by yesjustryan, translation #866505 by papabear
- 안녕하세요. 오리 요리에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?Hello. What do you think about duck dishes?
- 오리 요리는 제일 좋아하는 음식 중 하나입니다.Duck dishes are one of my favorite foods.
- 오늘 오리 요리 같이 먹을까요?Shall we have duck dishes together today?
- 좋아요! 오리 요리 너무 맛있거든요.Sounds good! Duck dishes are so delicious.
- 연못에 오리가 헤엄치고 있어요.yeonmote origa heeomchigo isseoyo.A duck is swimming in the pond.
- 저기 귀여운 오리가 지나가요.jeogi gwiyeoun origa jinagayo.A cute duck is passing by over there.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are walking through a park.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 저기 오리가 있어요!Subin ssi, jeogi origa isseoyo!Subin, there is a duck over there!
- 수빈 Su-bin와, 진짜 귀여운 오리네요.wa, jinjja gwiyeoun orineyo.Wow, it is a really cute duck.
- 지훈 Ji-hun오리가 물 위에서 놀고 있어요.origa mul wieseo nolgo isseoyo.The duck is playing on the water.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 우리 저기까지 가봐요.Jihoon ssi, uri jeogikkaji gabwayo.Jihoon, let's go over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “duck” translations and entries 오리, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
