기타
gita[kitʰa̠]
The English word 'guitar' is 기타 (gita) in Korean.
기타 refers to the musical instrument. Related terms include 기타리스트 for 'guitarist', 앰프 for 'amplifier' and 연주하다 for 'to play an instrument'. To specifically say 'to play the guitar', the collocation 기타를 치다 is used, which utilizes the verb 치다 (to hit/strike) instead of the verb used for many other instruments.
Meaning: musical instrument (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word 기타 is polysemous. Depending on the context, it can mean 'guitar' or it can mean 'other / the rest' (etcetera).
How do you pronounce it?
gita
Did you know?
- While 'guitar' is a loanword, the 'other/etcetera' version of 기타 is actually a Sino-Korean word derived from the Hanja 其他.
- Because 기타 can mean 'others', a shop sign advertising 'Guitars' might be misinterpreted as 'Miscellaneous Goods' if the context is not clear.
- In professional music contexts, Koreans often use the English term 'session' combined with 기타 to describe a hired player.
Examples in context
- 이 기타는 그들의 것이다.This guitar belongs to them.This sentence is useful for showing possession of the word 기타.Tatoeba #11110708 by intertime, translation #3907554 by CH
- 기타 치는 법을 배우고 싶어.I want to learn guitar.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn 기타.Tatoeba #8363831 by Eunhee, translation #4574678 by CK
- 난 저녁 식사 후에 기타를 쳐.I play the guitar after dinner.This sentence is useful for describing the action of playing the 기타.Tatoeba #8396628 by Eunhee, translation #262092 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are talking about a musical instrument in the room.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 기타 정말 예쁘다.i gitae jeongmal yeppeuda.This guitar is really pretty.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워, 내 선물이야.gomawo, nae seonmuriya.Thanks, it was a gift.
- 도현 Do-hyeon기타 연주할 수 있어?gitae yeonjuhal su isseo?Can you play the guitar?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니, 아직 배우는 중이야.ani, ajik baeuneun jungiya.No, I am still learning.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “guitar” translations and entries 기타, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 기타, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
