범고래
beomgorae[ˈpɘ(ː)mɡo̞ɾɛ]
The English phrase "orca" is translated into Korean as 범고래 (beomgorae).
범고래 is the specific name for the orca (Orcinus orca).
Meaning: ''Orcinus orca'' (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 고래 is the general term used for "whale", 범고래 refers specifically to "baleen whales".
How do you pronounce it?
beomgorae
Did you know?
- The word 범 is an archaic form of 호랑이 ('tiger'), showing that the name 범고래 preserves an older layer of the Korean language.
- Ancient Koreans viewed the tiger as the king of the mountains, and by naming the orca 범고래, they designated it as the king of the seas.
- The name 범고래 literally translates to 'tiger whale'.
Examples in context
- 범고래는 매우 똑똑한 동물이에요.beomgoraeneun mae u ttokttokhan dongmulieyo.Orcas are very intelligent animals.
- 수족관에서 범고래를 봤어요.sujokgwaneeseo beomgoraereul bwasseoyo.I saw an orca at the aquarium.
- 범고래는 바다의 포식자예요.beomgoraeneun badaeui posikjayeyo.The orca is a predator of the sea.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- 민지 Min-ji저 범고래 진짜 멋지다!jeo beomgorae jinjja meotjida!That orca is so cool!
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아, 범고래는 정말 강력해 보여.maja, beomgoraeneun jeongmal gangnyeokhae boyeo.Right, orcas look really powerful.
- 민지 Min-ji도현아, 범고래가 또 나타났어!Dohyeona, beomgoraega tto natanasseo!Dohyun, an orca appeared again!
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 정말 신기하다.wa, jeongmal singihada.Wow, that's amazing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “orca” translations and entries 범고래, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 범고래, CC BY-SA 4.0.
