알
al[a̠ɭ]
The phrase for the hard outer shell of a bird's egg in Korean is 알 (al).
알 refers specifically to the hard outer shell of a bird's egg.
How do you pronounce it?
al
Did you know?
- The word 알 is used in the term 알부자 to describe someone who is 'secretly wealthy'. This usage compares hidden assets to an egg, which keeps its contents concealed from the outside world.
- The Korean foundation myth of Bak Hyeokgeose involves the protagonist being born from a giant 알, linking the word to the divine origins of the nation.
- The word 알 is a core element of the term 알맹이, which refers to the essence or substance of a thing as opposed to its outer husk.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are looking at a bird's nest in a park.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 저기 작은 알이 있어요!Jihun ssi, jeogi jageun ari isseoyo!Jihun, there is a small egg over there!
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말이네요. 알이 아주 작아요.Jeongmal-ineyo. Ari aju jagayo.It really is. The egg is very small.
- 민지 Min-ji알이 깨지지 않게 조심해야 해요.Ari kkaejiji ankge josimhaeya haeyo.We must be careful so the egg doesn't break.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요. 민지 씨, 멀리서 구경해요.Majayo. Minji ssi, meolliseo gugyeonghaeyo.You're right. Minji, let's watch from a distance.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 알, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
