쥐
jwi[t͡ɕɥi]
The English word "mouse" can be translated into Korean as 쥐 (jwi) or 생쥐.
Meaning: rodent of the genus Mus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 쥐 | jwi | [t͡ɕɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕy] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 생쥐 | saengjwi | [ˈsʰɛ(ː)ŋd͡ʑɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈsʰe̞(ː)ŋd͡ʑɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to a rodent. 마우스 is borrowed from English.
Which one should you use?
While 쥐 (jwi) is the general term for any rodent (rat or mouse), 생쥐 (saengjwi) specifically refers to a small mouse.
How do you pronounce it?
jwi
Did you know?
- The specific word for a small mouse, 생쥐, is a compound word that literally translates to 'ginger mouse' because of its small size.
- In the Korean zodiac, the 쥐 represents the first animal of the twelve-year cycle, symbolizing fertility and resourcefulness.
- The word 쥐 can be used in the idiomatic expression 쥐어짜다, which means to squeeze something dry or to wring out every last bit of effort.
Examples in context
- 조용한 고양이가 쥐를 잡는다.The quiet cat catches the mouse.This sentence demonstrates the use of 쥐 as the object of a verb.
- 설마, 마우스 깨물었어?Did you really bite the mouse?
- 쥐가 아주 빨라요.jwiga aju ppallayo.The mouse is very fast.
- 집에 쥐가 나타났어요.jibe jwiga natanasseoyo.A mouse appeared in the house.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking about a noise in the kitchen.
- 지훈 Ji-hun혹시 쥐 소리가 들려요?hoksi jwi soriga deullyeoyo?Do you perhaps hear the sound of a mouse?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 정말 쥐 같아요.ne, jeongmal jwi gatayo.Yes, it really sounds like a mouse.
- 지훈 Ji-hun쥐가 어디 있는지 모르겠어요.jwiga eodi inneunji moreugesseoyo.I don't know where the mouse is.
- 수빈 Su-bin조심해야 해요.josimhaeya haeyo.We must be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mouse” translations and entries 쥐, 생쥐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 생쥐, 쥐, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
