호수
hosu[ɸʷo̞sʰu]
The Korean word for 'lake' is 호수 (hosu). Wiktionary also lists -호 (-ho).
Meaning: body of water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 호수 | hosu | [ɸʷo̞sʰu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈɸʷo̞(ː)s͈u] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| -호 | -ho | suffix |
The word 호수 is used to refer to a body of water in a general sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -호 is used to name specific lakes, often appearing as part of a proper noun.
How do you pronounce it?
hosu
Did you know?
- In official addresses or apartment listings, the term 호수 (from 號數) refers to the specific unit number. This usage is ubiquitous in daily Korean life, far more common than the word for 'lake'.
- While 호수 is the general term, Koreans use the word 저수지 specifically for man-made reservoirs. Using 호수 for a small farming pond might sound overly poetic or technically incorrect to a local.
- The meaning of 호수 as 'sequence number' comes from combining 號, meaning 'order', and 數, meaning 'number'. This explains why the same sound can describe both a lake and a numerical list.
Examples in context
- 호수 위로 안개가 꼈다.Fog hung over the lake.This sentence shows how to describe fog hanging over the 호수.Tatoeba #11104861 by intertime, translation #9445080 by CK
- 호수의 반대편은 스위스에 속해 있다.The other side of the lake belongs to Switzerland.This sentence describes a location on the other side of the 호수.Tatoeba #11110781 by intertime, translation #8784024 by maaster
- 그 호수의 오래된 교회는 정말 아름답다.The old church by the lake is very beautiful.This sentence describes a church located by the 호수.Tatoeba #11105907 by intertime, translation #239970 by CK
- 그 여행지에는 아름다운 호수가 있어요.There is a beautiful lake in that travel destination.
- 호수에는 많은 사람들이 산책을 즐기러 갑니다.Many people go to the lake to enjoy a walk.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are walking together on a sunny afternoon.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 저 호수 정말 예쁘지 않아요?Jihun ssi, jeo hosu jeongmal yeppeuji anayo?Jihun, isn't that lake really beautiful?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 수빈 씨. 물이 정말 깨끗하네요.Ne, Subin ssi. muri jeongmal kkaekkeuthane-yo.Yes, Subin. The water is very clean.
- 수빈 Su-bin우리 호수 근처에서 좀 더 걸을까요?Uri hosu geuncheoeseo jom deo georeulkkayo?Shall we walk a bit more near the lake?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요. 저 호수 쪽으로 가요.Joayo. jeo hosu jjogeuro gayo.Sounds good. Let's go toward the lake.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lake” translations and entries 호수, -호, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 호수, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
