야옹
yaong[ja̠o̞ŋ]
In Korean, the English phrase "meow" is expressed as 야옹 (yaong).
The word 야옹 is used to represent the cry of a cat. While 야옹 functions as the sound itself, you can also use it as a noun to refer to the cry of a cat.
Meaning: cry of a cat (intj)
Which one should you use?
While 야옹 is the standard way to express the sound, the variation 애옹 is often used in online contexts or by cat lovers to mimic a slightly different, often cuter, cat sound. Additionally, 냥 is a playful way to mimic a feline sound used among friends or family.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 야옹 can be turned into a verb meaning "to meow" by adding the suffix –하다, resulting in 야옹하다.
How do you pronounce it?
yaong
Did you know?
- Internet users create a feline persona by adding 냥 to the end of their sentences, a speaking style known as 냥체.
- The way you spell the sound of a cat in Korean can actually change how 'small' or 'precious' the animal sounds to the listener.
- The word 냥 is so versatile that it has evolved from a sound into a noun, creating the affectionate term 냥이 for a cat.
Examples in context
- 소는 "음메", 닭은 "꼬꼬댁 꼬꼬", 돼지는 "꿀꿀", 오리는 "꽥꽥", 고양이는 "야옹".The cow goes "moo," the rooster goes "cock-a-doodle-doo," the pig goes "oink, oink," the duck goes "quack, quack" and the cat goes "meow."This sentence is useful for learning how to list various animal sounds, including the form 야옹 for a cat.Tatoeba #6822000 by yesjustryan, translation #866505 by papabear
- 고양이예요. 야옹 야옹 해요.It's a cat. It meows.
- 그냥 냥냥 해줄래?Can you just playfully meow?
- 미야옹! 좋아요.Meow! I feel good.
- 우리 고양이는 냥냥 소리를 해요.Our cat makes meowing sounds (formal/polite).
- 귀여운 냥이가 야옹 하네요.The cute kitten is meowing (formal/polite).
- 고양이가 야옹 하고 울어요.goyangi yaong hago ureoyo.The cat goes meow.
- 우리 집 고양이는 야옹 소리가 예뻐요.uri jip goyangi-neun yaong soriga yeppeoyo.My cat's meow is pretty.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are looking at a kitten in a pet shop.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저 고양이 좀 봐, 야옹 하고 우네!jeo goyangi jom bwa, yaong hago une!Look at that cat, it's going meow!
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 귀엽다, 현우 씨.jeongmal gwiyeopda, Hyunwoo ssi.It's so cute, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨도 고양이를 좋아해요?Jieun ssi-do goyangireul joahaeyo?Do you like cats too, Jieun?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 정말 좋아해요.ne, jeongmal joahaeyo.Yes, I really do.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meow” translations and entries 야옹, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
