미로
miro[ˈmi(ː)ɾo̞]
The English phrase 'maze' is translated into Korean as 미로 (miro). Wiktionary also lists 미궁 (migung).
Meaning: puzzle to get through (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 미로 | miro | [ˈmi(ː)ɾo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 미궁 | migung | [ˈmi(ː)ɡuŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
미로 is the most commonly used and widely understood term for 'maze' in Korean. For a more playful or informal way to refer to small mazes, you might hear the expression 꼬꼬마 미로.
Which one should you use?
While 미로 refers to a physical maze, 미궁 means 'labyrinth'. 미궁 is often used metaphorically to describe a complex, unsolvable mystery or a situation where one is lost in thought or logic.
How do you pronounce it?
miro
Did you know?
- The word 미로 literally translates to 'bewitched path', as the character 迷 carries the nuance of being lost or deceived by a spell.
- While 미로 describes a physical layout, 미궁 is frequently used in news headlines to describe 'cold cases' or unsolved crimes.
- Because 미궁 uses the character for 'palace' or 'court' (宮), it carries a sense of being lost within a grand, imposing structure.
Examples in context
- 해적 미로는 어디에 있나요?Where is the pirate maze?
- 미로 탈출 게임을 좋아해요I like playing maze escape games.
- 같이 미로 찾기 게임을 할래?Do you want to play maze finding game together?
- 이 미로는 너무 복잡해요.i miro-neun neomu bokjap-haeyo.This maze is too complex.
- 거대한 미로를 탈출했어요.geodaehan miro-reul talchul-haess-eoyo.I escaped from a giant maze.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are at an amusement park.
- 지훈 Ji-hun저기 미로 찾기 게임이 있어요.jeogi miro chatgi geimi isseoyo.There is a maze game over there.
- 수빈 Su-bin와, 정말 재미있겠어요!wa, jeongmal jaemiitgesseoyo!Wow, that looks really fun!
- 지훈 Ji-hun같이 미로를 탈출해 봐요.gati miro-reul talchulhae bwayo.Let's try to escape the maze together.
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요, 지금 바로 가요.joayo, jigeum baro gayo.Okay, let's go right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maze” translations and entries 미로, 미궁, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 미궁, 미로, CC BY-SA 4.0.
