금
geum[kɯm]
The English word 'gold' is translated into Korean as 금 (geum).
It is used in compound words to describe items made of gold, such as 금니 (gold tooth).
Meaning: made of gold, golden (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 금 refers to the metal gold, 금색 is the specific word used to describe the color gold.
How do you pronounce it?
geum
When do people say it?
The word 금 (gold) is often contrasted with 은 (silver) in Korean to express value or quality.
Did you know?
- In Korean, 금 is a homonym with several meanings beyond the metal, including 'forbidden' or 'prohibition' and 'crack' or 'fissure'.
- In traditional Korean culture, gold jewelry is often given as a gift during a baby's first birthday, known as 돌잔치, to wish for wealth and health.
- The word 금 is part of the term 금수강산, which translates to 'gold and silk embroidered rivers and mountains', a poetic way to describe the beauty of the Korean landscape.
Examples in context
- 은이 금보다 가치가 낮아.Silver is worth less than gold.This sentence is useful for comparing the value of silver and gold using 금.Tatoeba #8533887 by Eunhee, translation #8533311 by sundown
- 누가 여기에 금괴를 묻었을까?Who buried the gold bars here?This sentence shows how 금 is used when referring to gold bars.Tatoeba #11105583 by intertime, translation #276188 by CK
- 금이 은보다 더욱 가치가 있다.Gold is more valuable than silver.This sentence demonstrates a comparison of value between 금 and silver.Tatoeba #6318473 by solar0425, translation #6317788 by carlosalberto
- 그 회사는 금에 투자를 많이 했습니다.That company has invested a lot in gold.
- 금은 귀금속 중에서도 가치가 가장 높습니다.Gold is the most valuable among all precious metals.
- 나는 골드 액세서리를 좋아해.I like gold accessories.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are looking at a display in a jewelry shop.
- 민지 Min-ji이 반지는 금으로 만든 거야?i banjineun geumeuro mandeun geoya?Is this ring made of gold?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 진짜 금이야.eung, jinjja geumiya.Yes, it is real gold.
- 민지 Min-ji색깔이 정말 예쁘다.saekkkari jeongmal yeppeuda.The color is really pretty.
- 민준 Min-jun금색이 아주 고급스러워.geumsaegi aju go-geukseureowo.The golden color looks very luxurious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 금, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
