거울
geoul[kʌ̹uɭ]
The English word 'mirror' is 거울 (geoul) in Korean.
거울 refers to a smooth reflecting surface. To express the common action of 'looking in the mirror', Korean speakers use the phrase 거울을 보다, combining the noun with the verb 보다 (to see/look).
Meaning: smooth reflecting surface (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 거울 does not change its form to indicate plurality. It is used for both 'mirror' and 'mirrors'.
How do you pronounce it?
geoul
Did you know?
- While modern Korean uses 거울 for most mirrors, the term 경 (gyeong) is often used in specific compound words, such as 안경 (angyeong) for 'eyeglasses', which literally translates to 'eye mirror'.
- Traditional Korean bronze mirrors from the Three Kingdoms period often had patterns on the back that served as talismans to ward off evil spirits.
- Ancient Korean mirrors were frequently buried with the dead to guide the soul and protect it in the afterlife.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 거울 앞에 섰다.She got in front of the mirror.This sentence shows how to describe someone standing in front of the 거울.Tatoeba #13755219 by qlTmalffk, translation #12850676 by Ussis
- 톰과 메리는 한 시간씩이나 거울 앞에 서 있다.Tom and Mary have been standing in front of the mirror for an hour already.This sentence demonstrates the use of 거울 to indicate a duration of time spent standing before it.Tatoeba #6295634 by okja, translation #6167916 by AqQoyriq_1
- 거울이 공을 맞고 깨졌다.The mirror shattered after being hit by the ball.This sentence describes an instance where a 거울 was shattered.
- 실례합니다, 거울을 어디서 구할 수 있을까요?Excuse me, do you know where I can find a mirror?
- 야, 거울 좀 내줄래?Hey, can you hand me the mirror, please?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are at a clothing store.
- 민준 Min-jun이 거울 좀 봐.i geoul jom bwa.Look at this mirror.
- 서연 Seo-yeon거울이 정말 크네요.geouri jeongmal keuneyo.The mirror is really big.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 옷이 잘 어울려요.Seoyeon ssi, osi jal eoullyeoyo.Seoyeon, the clothes look good on you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말요? 고마워요.jeongmalyo? gomawoyo.Really? Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mirror” translations and entries 거울, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
