달
dal[ta̠ɭ]
The Korean word for moon is 달 (dal). Wiktionary also lists 태음 (taeeum).
Meaning: the natural satellite of planet Earth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 달 | dal | [ta̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ta̠(ː)ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 태음 | taeeum | [tʰɛɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [tʰe̞ɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The primary way to refer to the natural satellite of Earth is 달. In certain contexts, specifically when used as a counter or a unit of time, 달 can also mean 'month'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for moonlight, 달빛, is formed by combining 달 (moon) and 빛 (light).
Which one should you use?
달 is the most common, everyday word for the moon used in speech and general writing.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
dal
Did you know?
- Korean folklore features a famous myth about a rabbit that lives on the 달 and pounds a mortar of rice cakes.
- The term 태음 (the moon) literally translates to 'great yin', referring to the concept of 'yin' or the feminine, dark, and cool energy in East Asian philosophy.
- The modern spelling 달 evolved from the Middle Korean form ᄃᆞᆯ, which used a vowel that no longer exists in the modern Korean alphabet.
Examples in context
- 지구는 달보다 훨씬 커.The earth is far bigger than the moon.This sentence is useful for comparing the size of the earth and the moon using 달.Tatoeba #8365763 by Eunhee, translation #277127 by CM
- 태양은 달보다 더 밝아.The sun is brighter than the moon.This sentence is useful for comparing the brightness of the sun and the moon using 달.Tatoeba #8365774 by Eunhee, translation #275123 by CK
- 달이 밝게 빛나고 있었어.The moon was shining brightly.This sentence is useful for describing the moon shining brightly using 달.Tatoeba #8365772 by Eunhee, translation #238828 by CK
- 오늘 밤에 달이 아름답네요.The moon is beautiful tonight.
- 달은 지구의 위성입니다.The moon is the Earth's satellite.
- 오늘 밤에 달이 예뻐.The moon is pretty tonight.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are walking home on a clear night.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 저기 달 좀 봐요.Jieun ssi, jeogi dal jom bwayo.Jieun, look at the moon over there.
- 지은 Ji-eun와, 정말 밝은 달이네요!Wa, jeongmal balgeun darineyo!Wow, it's a really bright moon!
- 지훈 Ji-hun오늘 달이 유난히 밝아요.Oneul dari yunan-hi balgayo.The moon is exceptionally bright today.
- 지은 Ji-eun풍경이 정말 아름다워요.Punggyeongi jeongmal areumdawoyo.The scenery is truly beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moon” translations and entries 달, 태음, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 달, 태음, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
