모기
mogi[ˈmo̞(ː)ɡi]
The Korean word for mosquito is 모기 (mogi).
The term refers to the small flying insect of the family Culicidae that is known for biting and sucking blood. In some humorous contexts, people use the slang term 보충선생님 to describe mosquitoes.
Meaning: small flying insect of the family Culicidae, known for biting and sucking blood (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
mogi
Did you know?
- The word 모기 is often used in the expression 모기 목소리, meaning 'mosquito voice'. It describes someone speaking so quietly or timidly that they are barely audible.
- The word 모기 is often used in the context of 'mosquito repellent', which is called 모기약 (mosquito medicine) or 모기향 (mosquito incense).
- The word 모기 was recorded as 모〮ᄀᆡ〮 in the 1447 text Seokbo sangjeol. This version used tone marks to indicate pitch, which were later lost in modern Korean.
Examples in context
- 모기가 날 물었다.A mosquito just bit me.This sentence illustrates a mosquito biting someone.Tatoeba #11106682 by intertime, translation #23597 by CK
- 모기 종류는 약 3,500종이나 되지만, 그중에서 사람에게 위험한 건 40종 정도뿐이야.There are around 3,500 different mosquito species, but only about 40 are dangerous to humans.This sentence discusses the different species of 모기 and their danger to humans.Tatoeba #13756474 by qlTmalffk, translation #9314381 by Hybrid
- 컴퓨터 하면서 모기 때리기 너무 어려워.It's so difficult to hit mosquitoes while using the computer.
- 방에 모기가 한 마리 있어요.bang-e mogi-ga han mari isseoyo.There is a mosquito in the room.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A woman is trying to sleep in a bedroom.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 자꾸 윙윙 소리가 들려요.Dohyeon ssi, jakku wingwing sori-ga deullyeoyo.Dohyeon, I keep hearing a buzzing sound.
- 도현 Do-hyeon혹시 모기 아니에요?Hoksi mogi anieyo?Is it perhaps a mosquito?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 모기인 것 같아요.Ne, mogi-in geot gat-ayo.Yes, I think it's a mosquito.
- 도현 Do-hyeon제가 잡을게요.Je-ga jabeulgeyo.I will catch it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mosquito” translations and entries 모기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 모기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
