풀
pul[pʰuɭ]
The English word "grass" is translated into Korean as 풀 (pul). Wiktionary also lists 잡초 (japcho).
Meaning: ground cover plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 풀 | pul | [pʰuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 잡초 | japcho | [t͡ɕa̠p̚t͡ɕʰo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
풀 is a general term for grass or plants. To describe a specific grassy area or a lawn, you can combine it with the word for field to form 풀밭.
Which one should you use?
While 풀 refers to grass or plants in a general sense, 잡초 is used specifically to refer to weeds or unwanted plants.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of mowing or trimming the grass, the verb 깎다 (to cut or trim) is used with 풀 to form the phrase 풀을 깎다.
How do you pronounce it?
pul
Did you know?
- Korean uses the same verb 깎다 for cutting grass that it uses for cutting hair or shaving.
- The word 잡초 for 'weed' uses the Sino-Korean character for 'miscellaneous' or 'mixed' combined with the character for 'grass'.
- When talking about a lawn, Koreans often use the word 잔디 (jandi), which is a more specific term than the general 풀.
Examples in context
- 농부는 풀밭의 풀을 깎아서 꼴을 만든다.Farmers mow the grass to forage.This sentence shows how to use 풀 when discussing mowing grass for forage.Tatoeba #910371 by Sudajaengi, translation #8465418 by aen2610
- 밭에 풀이 무성하다.The grass is thick in the field.This sentence demonstrates the use of 풀 to describe thick growth in a field.
- 영국의 정원에는 푸른 풀이 아름답게 자라고 있어요.In English gardens, green grass grows beautifully.
- 잔디밭에서 축구를 하기로 했어요.We decided to play soccer on the grass field.
- 봄에 잔디가 초록색으로 무성하게 자라요.In spring, the grass grows thickly in green.
- 마당에 초록색 풀이 많이 자랐어요.madang-e choroksaek pul-i mani jarasseoyo.A lot of green grass has grown in the yard.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are walking through a park.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 저기 풀이 참 많네요.Seoyeon ssi, jeogi pul-i cham manhneyo.Seoyeon, there is a lot of grass over there.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 현우 씨. 정말 푸르러요.Ne, Hyunwoo ssi. Jeongmal pureureoyo.Yes, Hyunwoo. It is really green.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo풀밭에 앉아서 좀 쉴까요?Pulpate anjaseo jom swilkkayo?Shall we sit on the grass and rest for a bit?
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋아요. 아주 좋은 생각이에요.Joayo. Aju joeun saenggag-ieyo.Great. That is a very good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grass” translations and entries 풀, 잡초, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 잡초, 풀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
