지우개
jiugae[t͡ɕiuɡɛ]
The Korean word for eraser is 지우개 (jiugae).
지우개 is a noun used to refer to an object used to erase something that has been written or drawn.
Meaning: thing used to erase something written or drawn (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 지우개 is derived from the verb 지우다, meaning 'to erase' and the suffix –개, which denotes a tool or instrument.
How do you pronounce it?
jiugae
Did you know?
- In Korean schools, students sometimes use the term 지우개 똥 which literally means 'eraser poop' to describe the small crumbs left behind after erasing.
- The suffix -개 used in 지우개 is an inanimate agent suffix, meaning it can only be attached to objects that are tools, not to people performing an action.
- While 지우개 is the general term, Korean has a specific distinction between a physical eraser and the act of 'erasing' digital data, which often uses the loanword 딜리트 from the English 'delete'.
Examples in context
- 지우개를 빌려줄 수 있어요?ji-u-gae-reul bil-lyeo-jul su is-seo-yo?Can you lend me an eraser?
- 새 지우개가 필요해요.sae ji-u-gae-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.I need a new eraser.
- 이 지우개는 정말 작아요.i ji-u-gae-neun jeong-mal jag-a-yo.This eraser is really small.
Example conversation
Dohyeon and Minji are studying together in a classroom.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 지우개 있어요?Min-ji ssi, ji-u-gae is-seo-yo?Minji, do you have an eraser?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 여기 있어요.ne, yeo-gi is-seo-yo.Yes, here it is.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 다 쓰고 돌려줄게요.go-ma-wo-yo, da sseu-go dol-lyeo-jul-ge-yo.Thanks, I will return it after I'm done.
- 민지 Min-ji천천히 써도 돼요.cheon-cheon-hi sseu-do dwae-yo.You can take your time using it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eraser” translations and entries 지우개, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 지우개, CC BY-SA 4.0.
