맥도날드
Maekdonaldeu[mɛk̚t͈o̞na̠ɭdɯ]
The English phrase McDonald's is translated into Korean as 맥도날드 (Maekdonaldeu).
The term is used to refer to the global fast food restaurant chain.
Which one should you use?
맥도날드 is the direct transliteration of McDonald's into Korean, while 맥날 is a shortened, informal version of McDonald's.
How do you pronounce it?
Maekdonaldeu
Did you know?
- In Korea, the shortened term 맥날 is frequently used in 'slang' contexts, such as describing a date as a 맥날 데이트 when the couple chooses the affordable option of McDonald's.
- Because Korean phonology lacks a terminal 'd' sound, the name must expand from the three syllables of 'Mc-Don-ald' into the four syllables of 맥도날드 (Maek-do-nal-deu).
- Korean youth often use the shortened term 맥날 in text messages to save time, reflecting a broader linguistic trend of compressing four-syllable brand names into two.
Examples in context
- 맥날에서 햄버거 주문하려고요.I would like to order a hamburger from McDonald's.
- 맥도날드 신촌에 있는 매장 가본 적 있어요?Have you been to the McDonald's in Sinchon?
- 나는 맥날 치즈버거를 좋아해.I like the cheeseburger at McDonald's.
- 맥도날드에서 햄버거를 먹었어요.Maekdonaldeueseo haembeogeoreul meogeosseoyo.I ate a hamburger at McDonald's.
- 맥도날드는 전 세계에 있어요.Maekdondeuneun jeon segye-e isseoyo.McDonald's is all over the world.
- 오늘 맥도날드 갈까요?Oneul Maekdonaldeu galkkayo?Shall we go to McDonald's today?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 지은 Ji-eun점심으로 뭐 먹을까?Jeomsimeuro mwo meogulkka?What should we eat for lunch?
- 민준 Min-jun맥도날드 어때?Maekdonaldeu eottae?How about McDonald's?
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아, 맥도날드 가자!Joa, Maekdonaldeu gaja!Good, let's go to McDonald's!
- 민준 Min-jun그래, 내가 근처로 안내할게.Geurae, naega geuncheoro annaehalge.Okay, I'll lead you to a nearby one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 맥도날드, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
