까치
kkachi[ˈk͈a̠(ː)t͡ɕʰi]
The English word "magpie" is translated into Korean as 까치 (kkachi).
까치 refers to the bird of the genus Pica.
Meaning: bird of genus Pica (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
kkachi
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, magpies are associated with good luck and fortune. According to Korean folklore, the magpie is considered a bird that brings good news or a welcome guest.
Did you know?
- In the 15th century, the word was written as 가〯치〮, featuring tone marks that indicated a specific pitch used in Middle Korean.
- Korean culture often pairs the 까치 with the crow, as the magpie is seen as a bringer of good news while the crow is seen as a bringer of bad news.
- While 까치 is the magpie, the word 어치 refers to a different bird, the Eurasian jay.
Examples in context
- 오늘 아침 까치가 집 앞에서 울었어.A magpie cried in front of my house this morning.
- 까치가 나무 위에 있어요.kkachi-ga namu wie isseoyo.A magpie is on the tree.
- 까치는 검은색과 흰색이에요.kkachi-neun geom-eun-saek-gwa huin-saek-i-e-yo.The magpie is black and white.
- 저기 까치 한 마리가 날아가요.jeo-gi kkachi han ma-ri-ga nal-a-ga-yo.A magpie is flying over there.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a bird in a park.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 저기 까치가 보여요?Hyeon-u ssi, jeo-gi kkachi-ga bo-yeo-yo?Hyeon-u, do you see that magpie over there?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 까치가 정말 예쁘네요.Ne, kkachi-ga jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo.Yes, the magpie is really pretty.
- 지은 Ji-eun까치가 나무 위로 날아갔어요.kkachi-ga namu wi-ro nal-a-gas-seo-yo.The magpie flew up into the tree.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 빠르게 움직이네요.jeong-mal ppal-re-ge um-jik-i-ne-yo.It moves really fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “magpie” translations and entries 까치, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 까치, CC BY-SA 4.0.
