영어
yeong'eo[jʌ̹ŋʌ̹]
영어 (yeong'eo) is the Korean word for the English language.
Meaning: the English language (name)
Which one should you use?
While 영어 refers to the language, other terms are used for different contexts: 영국(英國)의 or 영 are used to describe things pertaining to the country of England and 영국인(英國人)의 or 영국(英國) 사람의 are used to describe things pertaining to English or British people.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
yeong'eo
Did you know?
- The word 영어 can also refer to a 'prison' or 'incarceration' when written with different Chinese characters, 囹圄. While they sound identical, the meanings are completely unrelated.
- The term 콩글리시 is a portmanteau of 'Kong' (the Korean word for bean) and 'English'. It is used to describe loanwords that have evolved away from their original English meanings.
- Because Korean grammar often omits the subject, a person might simply say 영어 when they actually mean 'I am studying English' or 'I speak English'.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 항상 영어를 쓴다.She always speaks English.This sentence shows how to use 영어 to indicate the language someone speaks.Tatoeba #11110662 by intertime, translation #738383 by DeSha
- 제게 영어책이 몇권 있습니다.I have some English books.This sentence shows how to use 영어 as a modifier for books.Tatoeba #9583625 by vitalux, translation #256225 by CK
- 그는 영어를 모국어로 사용한다.He is a native English speaker.This sentence shows how to use 영어 to identify a native language.Tatoeba #6831529 by nagdeng, translation #1489992 by weihaiping
- 저는 영어를 배우고 싶어요.I want to learn English.
- 영어를 배우는 것은 좋은 생각이에요.Learning English is a great idea!
- 너만큼 잘 할 수 있으면 정말 멋지겠다!It would be so cool if I could be as good as you!
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are talking about their classes.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 영어 수업은 어때요?Minji ssi, yeong-eo sueop-eun eottaeyo?Minji, how is your English class?
- 민지 Min-ji생각보다 재미있고 유익해요.saeng-gak-boda jaemi-itgo yu-ik-haeyo.It is more fun and useful than I thought.
- 지훈 Ji-hun저도 영어 공부를 시작하고 싶어요.jeodo yeong-eo gongbu-reul sijak-hago sip-eoyo.I want to start studying English too.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 같이 공부해요!Jihoon ssi, gat-i gongbu-haeyo!Jihoon, let's study together!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “english” translations and entries 영어, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 영어, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
