원예
wonye[wʌ̹ɲe̞]
Gardening in Korean is 원예 (wonye).
원예 is the standard term for the activity of gardening, particularly when used in academic or formal contexts. It refers more broadly to the field of horticulture.
Meaning: the care of a garden (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 원예 refers to the field of horticulture, 정원 가꾸기 is another way to say gardening that is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of gardening, you use the noun 원예 with the verb 하다 (to do), resulting in 원예를 하다.
How do you pronounce it?
wonye
Did you know?
- In modern Korean digital culture, people often use the term 식물 집사 (plant butler) to refer to the act of caring for houseplants, treating plants almost like pets.
- Traditional Korean gardens, unlike the manicured lawns common in the West, emphasize 자연주의 (naturalism), where the goal is to make the garden look as if it was not touched by human hands.
- The verb 가꾸다 used in 정원 가꾸기 also means 'to groom' or 'to make oneself beautiful', suggesting a connection between tending nature and tending oneself.
Examples in context
- 저는 정원 가꾸기를 즐깁니다.I enjoy gardening.
- 이번 주말에 원예를 해볼까요?Shall we try gardening this weekend?
- 나는 정원 가꾸기에 푹 빠졌어요.I've completely fallen for gardening.
- 그는 원예에 관심이 많아요.geuneun wonye-e gwansimi manayo.He is very interested in gardening.
- 원예 수업을 신청하고 싶어요.wonye suebeul sincheonghago sipeoyo.I want to sign up for a gardening class.
- 이번 주말에는 원예 활동을 할 거예요.ibeon jumareneun wonye hwaldongeul hal geoyeyo.I am going to do some gardening this weekend.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are talking about their hobbies.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 취미가 뭐예요?Minjun ssi, chwimiga mwoyeyo?Minjun, what is your hobby?
- 민준 Min-jun저는 요즘 원예에 빠졌어요.jeoneun yojeum wonye-e ppajyeosseoyo.I've been into gardening lately.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 멋지네요!jeongmal meotjineyo!That's really cool!
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨도 한번 해보세요.Minji ssi-do hanbeon haeboseyo.You should try it too, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gardening” translations and entries 원예, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
