나방
nabang[na̠ba̠ŋ]
The Korean word for "moth" is 나방 (nabang).
Meaning: insect similar to a butterfly (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
nabang
Did you know?
- In Korean, if you call someone a 불나방, you are not calling them an insect, but rather a person who is helplessly drawn to a dangerous or self-destructive passion.
- The word 나방 was documented as early as 1489 in a medical text called the 구급간이방언해.
Examples in context
- 방 안에 나방이 들어왔어요.bang ane nabangi deureowasseoyo.A moth came into the room.
- 큰 나방이 불빛 근처에 있어요.keun nabangi bulbit geuncheoe isseoyo.A big moth is near the light.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are looking at a light in the living room.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 저기 나방이 보여요?Minji ssi, jeogi nabangi boyeoyo?Minji, do you see that moth over there?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 정말 큰 나방이네요.Ne, jeongmal keun nabang-ineyo.Yes, it is a very large moth.
- 지훈 Ji-hun무섭지 않게 불을 끌까요?Museopji anke bul-eul kkeulkkayo?Should I turn off the light so it's not scary?
- 민지 Min-ji그냥 두는 게 좋을 것 같아요.Geunyang duneun ge jo-eul geot gat-ayo.I think it's better to just leave it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moth” translations and entries 나방, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 나방, CC BY-SA 4.0.
