비둘기
bidulgi[piduɭɡi]
The Korean word for pigeon is 비둘기 (bidulgi). Wiktionary also lists 구구 (gugu).
Meaning: bird of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 비둘기 | bidulgi | [piduɭɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 구구 | gugu |
비둘기 refers to the bird of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae.
Which one should you use?
구구 is an onomatopoeic word used to represent the sound the bird makes, similar to the English word 'coo'.
How do you pronounce it?
bidulgi
Did you know?
- The word 구구 not only represents the sound of a pigeon but is also the phonetic equivalent of the number nine repeated twice in Korean.
- In South Korea, 비둘기 are often called 'city birds' and are viewed as pests, but they are legally protected as wildlife, meaning it is actually illegal to harm them.
- The historical root of 비둘기 can be traced back to the term 弼陀里 recorded in the 1103 text 'Gyelim yusa', showing the word has been used for nearly a millennium.
Examples in context
- 비둘기가 하늘을 날고 있어요.The pigeon is flying in the sky.
- 비둘기가 구구 하고 울어요.The pigeon goes coo-coo.
- 공원에 비둘기가 많아요.gong-won-e bi-dul-gi-ga man-a-yo.There are many pigeons in the park.
- 비둘기가 빵을 먹고 있어요.bi-dul-gi-ga ppang-eul meok-go iss-eo-yo.A pigeon is eating bread.
- 저 비둘기는 참 귀여워요.jeo bi-dul-gi-neun cham gwi-yeo-wo-yo.That pigeon is very cute.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are walking through a city square.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 저기 비둘기 좀 보세요.Minji ssi, jeogi bidulgi jom boseyo.Minji, look at that pigeon over there.
- 민지 Min-ji우와, 비둘기가 정말 크네요!uwa, bidulgiga jeongmal keuneyo!Wow, that pigeon is really big!
- 지훈 Ji-hun사람들이 빵 조각을 주고 있어요.saramdeuri ppang jogageul jugo isseoyo.People are giving it pieces of bread.
- 민지 Min-ji비둘기가 정말 배가 고픈가 봐요.bidulgiga jeongmal baega gopungeun bwayo.The pigeon must be really hungry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pigeon” translations and entries 비둘기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 비둘기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
