그림자
geurimja[ˈkɯ(ː)ɾimd͡ʑa̠]
The English word "shadow" is translated into Korean as 그림자 (geurimja).
그림자 refers to the area protected by an obstacle. It is also used metaphorically to describe a person following someone closely or a lingering influence.
Meaning: area protected by an obstacle (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
geurimja
Did you know?
- The word 그림자 is the same root used in 그림 meaning 'picture' or 'drawing'. This suggests that ancient Koreans viewed a shadow as a naturally occurring drawing cast by light.
- In Korean folklore, the 그림자 is considered a part of the soul. Some traditional beliefs suggest that if a person's shadow is stepped on, it can lead to bad luck or a loss of vitality.
- While 그림자 means shadow, the word for 'shade' (the cool area under a tree) is 그늘. In English, these are often the same word, but Korean makes a strict distinction between the shape of the object and the coolness of the area.
Examples in context
- 키가 크면 그림자도 길다.If one is tall, one's shadow is long as well.This sentence is useful for illustrating the relationship between height and the length of the 그림자.
- 그림자가 길게 늘어져 있어요The shadow is stretching long.
- 나무 그늘에서 시원하게 쉬었어요I rested comfortably in the shade of a tree.
- 어둠이 나의 그림자를 따라와The darkness follows my shadow.
- 나무 그림자 아래에 앉아요.namu geurimja arae-e anjayo.Let's sit under the shadow of the tree.
- 건물 그림자가 시원해요.geonmul geurimja-ga siwonhaeyo.The shadow of the building is cool.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are walking in a park on a sunny day.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo햇볕이 너무 뜨거워요.haetbyeoti neomu tteugeowoyo.The sunlight is too hot.
- 수빈 Su-bin저기 그림자 아래로 가요.jeogi geurimja araero gayo.Let's go under that shadow over there.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요, 여기가 훨씬 시원하네요.joayo, yeogiga hwolssin siwonhaneyo.Okay, it is much cooler here.
- 수빈 Su-bin이제 좀 살 것 같아요.ije jom sal geot gatayo.I feel like I can breathe now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 그림자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
