야옹이
ya-ongi
The Korean word for kitty is 야옹이 (ya-ongi).
야옹이 is an informal term used to mimic the sound a cat makes, 'meow'.
Meaning: pet name for a cat of any age (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ya-ongi
Did you know?
- While 야옹이 mimics the sound 'meow', Koreans also use the term 나비 meaning 'butterfly' as a generic name for cats.
- In modern Korean internet culture, the term 냥이 is a common shortened version of 야옹이 used in social media and texting.
- When talking to a 야옹이, some Koreans use 'baby talk' by adding an extra ㅇ sound to the end of words to make them sound softer and rounder.
Examples in context
- 저는 가족과 함께 풍경을 감상하다가 예쁜 고양이를 발견했어요.I was enjoying the scenery with my family when I spotted a beautiful cat.
- 우리집에 예쁜 냥이 한 마리가 살고 있어.We have a beautiful kitty living in our house.
- 우리 야옹이는 정말 귀여워요.uri yaongineun jeongmal gwiyewoyo.Our kitty is really cute.
- 저기 야옹이가 자고 있어요.jeogi yaongiga jago isseoyo.A kitty is sleeping over there.
- 야옹이가 배고픈 것 같아요.yaongiga baegopeun geot gatayo.It looks like the kitty is hungry.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are looking at a cat in the garden.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 이 야옹이 좀 보세요.Dohyun ssi, i yaongi jom boseyo.Dohyun, look at this kitty.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 작고 소중하네요.jeongmal jakgo sojunghaneyo.It is really small and precious.
- 민지 Min-ji야옹이가 우리를 좋아하나 봐요.yaongi-ga urireul joahana bwayo.I think the kitty likes us.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 정말 사랑스러워요.majayo, jeongmal sarangseureowoyo.You're right, it's truly lovely.
