무궁화
mugunghwa[muɡuŋβwa̠]
mugunghwa is the Korean word for the Rose of Sharon.
The term 무궁화 is used specifically to refer to the Rose of Sharon, which serves as the national flower of South Korea.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of two parts: 무궁 (mugung), meaning eternal or infinite and 화 (hwa), meaning flower.
How do you pronounce it?
mugunghwa
When do people say it?
The 무궁화 represents the national flower of South Korea.
Did you know?
- The phrase 무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다 is the essential command used in the Korean version of the 'Red Light, Green Light' game. Instead of 'green light', the seeker chants that the 'Rose of Sharon has bloomed' to signal when players can move.
- Because the 무궁화 blooms continuously from July to October with new flowers opening every day, it is often culturally synonymous with the concept of 'persistence'. This makes the word a symbol of resilience during difficult times in Korean history.
- While called the 'Rose of Sharon' in English, the mugunghwa is actually a member of the mallow family and not a true rose.
Examples in context
- 한국의 국화는 무궁화입니다.hangugui gukhwaneun mugunghwa-imnida.The national flower of Korea is the mugunghwa.
- 무궁화 꽃이 정말 예뻐요.mugunghwa kkochi jeongmal yeppeoyo.The mugunghwa flower is really beautiful.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a botanical garden map.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 저 꽃은 무궁화인가요?jieun ssi, jeo kkoteun mugunghwa-ingayo?Jieun, is that flower a mugunghwa?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 맞아요. 무궁화예요.ne, majayo. mugunghwa-yeyo.Yes, that's right. It is a mugunghwa.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 아름다운 꽃이네요.jeongmal areumdaun kkochineyo.It is a truly beautiful flower.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨 말대로 정말 예뻐요.dohyeon ssi maldaero jeongmal yeppeoyo.As you said, Dohyeon, it is really pretty.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 무궁화, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
