달빛
dalbit[ta̠ɭp͈it̚]
The English word "moonlight" is translated into Korean as 달빛 (dalbit). Wiktionary also lists 월광 (wolgwang) and 월색 (wolsaek).
Meaning: light reflected from the Moon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 달빛 | dalbit | [ta̠ɭp͈it̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 월광 | wolgwang | [wʌ̹ɭɡwa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 월색 | wolsaek | [wʌ̹ɭsʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [wʌ̹ɭsʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to the light reflected from the Moon.
What does it mean word for word?
달빛 is a compound of 달, meaning "moon" and 빛, meaning "light".
Which one should you use?
달빛 is the common, native Korean word used in everyday conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
dalbit
Did you know?
- The Sino-Korean term 월광 shares the same Chinese characters as the word for 'moonlight' in Japanese and Chinese, creating a shared literary vocabulary across East Asia.
- In historical Korean literature, moonlight was frequently used as a metaphor for a longing heart, making the term 달빛 carry a romantic or melancholic weight beyond its literal meaning.
- The term 월색 focuses specifically on the 'color' or 'hue' of the moonlight rather than just the light itself, highlighting a subtle distinction in how light is perceived.
Examples in context
- 오늘 밤에 달빛이 참 예쁘고 아름답다. 기분 좋아지는 것 같아.The moonlight tonight is so beautiful and amazing. It makes me feel really good.
- 달빛이 참 밝네요.dalbit-i cham balk-neyo.The moonlight is very bright.
- 창문으로 달빛이 들어와요.chang-mun-euro dalbit-i deureo-wayo.The moonlight is coming through the window.
- 달빛 아래에서 산책해요.dalbit arae-eseo sanchaek-haeyo.Let's take a walk under the moonlight.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyun are walking in a park at night.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 저 달빛 좀 보세요.Dohyun ssi, jeo dalbit jom boseyo.Dohyun, look at that moonlight.
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 정말 밝고 예쁘네요.wa, jeongmal bakgo yeppeuneyo.Wow, it's really bright and pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon달빛 덕분에 길이 잘 보여요.dalbit deokbune giri jal boyeoyo.Thanks to the moonlight, I can see the path well.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그러게요. 분위기가 정말 좋네요.geureogeyo. bunwigiga jeongmal jonneyo.I agree. The atmosphere is really nice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moonlight” translations and entries 달빛, 월광, 월색, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
