연필
yeonpil[jʌ̹npʰiɭ]
The Korean word for "pencil" is 연필 (yeonpil).
연필 refers to a graphite writing instrument.
Meaning: graphite writing-instrument (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
If you need to refer to a pencil sharpener, you can use 연필깎이.
How do you pronounce it?
yeonpil
Did you know?
- If you are looking for a 'mechanical pencil' in Korea, you would not use 연필 alone but would use the word 샤프 (sharp), derived from the English word 'sharp'.
- Korean has a specific way to describe the 'lead' inside a 연필 as 심, a word that also refers to the 'core' or 'wick' of a candle.
- The word for 'pencil sharpener', 연필깎이, comes from the verb 깎다, which also means to 'cut' or 'discount' a price.
Examples in context
- 이 연필 누구 거야?Whose pencil is this?This sentence is useful for asking who the owner of the 연필 is.Tatoeba #11105228 by intertime, translation #55521 by CK
- 연필이 필요하면 제가 빌려줄게요.If you want a pencil, I'll lend you one.This sentence is useful for offering to lend someone a 연필.Tatoeba #2088315 by imjcooper, translation #30923 by CK
- 이 연필 끝이 뭉툭해졌어. 연필깎이 있어?This pencil is blunt. Have you got a sharpener?This sentence is useful for mentioning that a 연필 is blunt and asking if a sharpener is available.Tatoeba #11465594 by milimos, translation #10910253 by sundown
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are studying together in a library.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 연필 하나만 빌려줄 수 있어요?Jihun ssi, yeonpil hanaman billyeojul su isseoyo?Jihun, can you lend me a pencil?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 여기 있어요. 편하게 쓰세요.Ne, yeogi isseoyo. pyeonhage sseuseyo.Yes, here it is. Feel free to use it.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요. 다 쓰고 돌려줄게요.Gomawoyo. da sseugo dollyeojulgeyo.Thank you. I will give it back when I'm done.
- 지훈 Ji-hun천천히 하세요.Cheoncheonhi haseyo.Take your time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pencil” translations and entries 연필, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
