배
bae[pɛ]
The English word 'pear' is translated into Korean as 배 (bae). Wiktionary also lists 서양배 (seoyangbae).
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 배 | bae | [pɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 서양배 | seoyangbae | [sʰʌ̹ja̠ŋbɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰʌ̹ja̠ŋbe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 배 is the standard term for a pear.
Which one should you use?
While 배 is the general term for the fruit, 서양배 is used specifically to refer to Western-style pears to distinguish them from the large, round varieties typically grown in Korea.
How do you pronounce it?
bae
Did you know?
- The word 배 is a homonym for 'stomach' and 'ship'. If you say you have a 배 on your 배 while on a 배, you are saying you have a pear on your stomach while on a boat.
- Traditional Korean medicine sometimes suggests eating 배 to treat coughs and sore throats, often by steaming the fruit with honey.
- In Korea, pears are often served as a dessert after a spicy meal because they are believed to help soothe the stomach and cleanse the palate.
Examples in context
- 오늘 점심에 배를 드시고 싶으십니까?Would you like to have a pear for lunch today?
- 나무에서 배 열매를 따왔어.I picked a pear from the tree.
- 나무에서 배 열매를 따왔습니다.I have picked a pear from the tree.
- 배가 정말 달아요.baega jeongmal darayo.The pear is really sweet.
- 시장에는 배가 많아요.sijang-eneun baega manayo.There are many pears at the market.
- 저는 배를 좋아해요.jeoneun baereul joahaeyo.I like pears.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are grocery shopping together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 이 배 맛있을까요?Subin-ssi, i bae masisseulkayo?Subin, do you think this pear will be delicious?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 배가 아주 싱싱해 보여요.ne, baega aju singsinghae boyeoyo.Yes, the pear looks very fresh.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 배를 한 봉지 살까요?geureom baereul han bongji salkkayo?Then shall we buy a bag of pears?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요, 현우 씨.joayo, Hyunwoo-ssi.That sounds good, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pear” translations and entries 배, 서양배, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
