금
geum[kɯm]
금 (geum) is the Korean word for gold.
금 is used to refer to the precious metal or to describe things that are golden. To specifically state that an object is 'made of gold', use the construction 금으로 된.
Meaning: made of gold, golden (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
geum
Did you know?
- While 금 refers to the metal, a person might use the term 금수저 or 'gold spoon' to describe someone born into a very wealthy family.
- In traditional Korean divination and philosophy, 금 represents one of the 'Five Elements' along with wood, fire, earth and water. In this context, it symbolizes not just the metal but also the autumn season and the direction west.
- The word 금 is a homonym used for several different concepts. Depending on the context, 금 can mean 'gold', 'a crack' or 'a forbidden line' that must not be crossed.
Examples in context
- 은이 금보다 가치가 낮아.Silver is worth less than gold.This sentence is useful for comparing the value of silver and 금.Tatoeba #8533887 by Eunhee, translation #8533311 by sundown
- 누가 여기에 금괴를 묻었을까?Who buried the gold bars here?This sentence is useful for asking about someone burying 금 bars.Tatoeba #11105583 by intertime, translation #276188 by CK
- 금이 은보다 더욱 가치가 있다.Gold is more valuable than silver.This sentence is useful for stating that 금 is more valuable than silver.Tatoeba #6318473 by solar0425, translation #6317788 by carlosalberto
- 금이 많은 장식품을 선호해요.I prefer decorations with gold.
- 이 게임에서 금을 많이 모을 수 있을까요?Can you collect a lot of gold in this game?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are looking at jewelry in a store.
- 민준 Min-jun이 반지는 금이에요?i banjineun geum-ieyo?Is this ring made of gold?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 아주 순수한 금이에요.ne, aju sunsuhan geum-ieyo.Yes, it is very pure gold.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 예쁘고 반짝거려요.jeongmal yeppeugo banjjakgeoryeoyo.It is really pretty and sparkly.
- 수빈 Su-bin금이라서 더 가치 있어요.geum-iraseo deo gachi isseoyo.It's more valuable because it's gold.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 금, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
