기생충
gisaengchung[kisʰɛŋt͡ɕʰuŋ]
The English word 'parasite' is 기생충 (gisaengchung) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 기생물 (gisaengmul) and 기생식물 (gisaengsingmul).
Meaning: (biology) organism that exists by stealing resources from another organism (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 기생충 | gisaengchung | [kisʰɛŋt͡ɕʰuŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kisʰe̞ŋt͡ɕʰuŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 기생물 | gisaengmul | [kisʰɛŋmuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kisʰe̞ŋmuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 기생식물 | gisaengsingmul | [kisʰɛŋɕʰiŋmuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kisʰe̞ŋɕʰiŋmuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In biology, it refers to an organism that exists by stealing resources from another organism. Metaphorically, 기생충 can be used to describe a person who lives off others without contributing, similar to the English usage.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 기생충 is composed of 기생 (parasitism) and 충 (insect/worm).
Which one should you use?
기생물 is a more neutral, scientific term for any parasitic organism, regardless of whether it is an animal, plant or microbe. 기생식물 is also a form.
How do you pronounce it?
gisaengchung
Did you know?
- The word 기생 in 기생충 is a homonym for 기생, the term for the traditional Korean professional female entertainers known as 'gisaeng'.
- The character 충 in 기생충 is often used in other Korean compound words to describe anything viewed as a pest or a nuisance.
- The first character in the Sino-Korean root of 기생충, 寄, means 'to entrust' or 'to lodge', suggesting a guest who never leaves.
Examples in context
- 그 질병은 기생충 때문에 발생했습니다.That disease occurred due to parasites.
- 기생충이 몸에 있을 수 있어요.gisaengchungi mom-e isseul su isseoyo.There might be parasites in your body.
- 이 식물은 기생충처럼 행동해요.i singmul-eun gisaengchung-cheoreom haengdong-haeyo.This plant acts like a parasite.
- 그 연구는 기생충의 종류를 조사해요.geu yeongu-neun gisaengchung-ui jongnyu-reul josa-haeyo.That research investigates types of parasites.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are discussing a science documentary.
- 수빈 Su-bin기생충에 관한 다큐멘터리를 봤어요.gisaengchung-e gwanhan dakyumenterireul bwasseoyo.I watched a documentary about parasites.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 무서운 내용이었나요?jeongmal museoun naeyong-ieotnayo?Was it a really scary story?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 기생충이 아주 많이 나왔어요.ne, gisaengchungi aju mani nawatseoyo.Yes, many parasites appeared in it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨는 정말 용감하네요.Subin ssi-neun jeongmal yonggam-haneyo.Subin, you are very brave.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “parasite” translations and entries 기생충, 기생물, 기생식물, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 기생물, 기생식물, 기생충, CC BY-SA 4.0.
