상어
sang'eo[sʰa̠ŋʌ̹]
The Korean word for shark is 상어 (sang'eo).
상어 is the noun used to refer to the fish known as a shark.
Meaning: fish (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
sang'eo
Did you know?
- The name 상어 contains a hidden historical connection to Middle Chinese through the addition of the nasal sound 'ng' (ㅇ), which was preserved even as the pronunciation of the word shifted over centuries.
- In Korean culture, the shark is not often used as a symbol of fear in the same way it is in Western cinema. Instead, it is frequently discussed in the context of seafood and regional specialties.
- The Korean word for shark is derived from Sino-Korean roots, meaning it was originally borrowed from Chinese characters before becoming fully integrated into the native vocabulary.
Examples in context
- 수많은 상어 종이 멸종 위기에 처해 있다.Many shark species are threatened with extinction.This sentence illustrates how to use 상어 when discussing species and extinction.Tatoeba #11110770 by intertime, translation #2492030 by Hybrid
- 해양 생물학에서 상어는 중요한 수중 생물입니다.In marine biology, sharks are important aquatic creatures.
- 상어는 정말 무서운 동물이에요.sang-eo-neun jeong-mal mu-seo-un dong-mul-i-e-yo.Sharks are really scary animals.
- 바다에 상어가 나타났어요.ba-da-e sang-eo-ga na-ta-nat-eo-yo.A shark appeared in the ocean.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Seo-yeon are visiting an aquarium.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 저 상어 좀 보세요.Seoyeon ssi, jeo sangeo jom boseyo.Seo-yeon, look at that shark.
- 서연 Seo-yeon우와, 정말 커요!uwa, jeongmal keoyo!Wow, it's really big!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo상어 이빨이 정말 날카롭네요.sangeo ippari jeongmal nalkaropneyo.The shark's teeth are really sharp.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요. 조금 무서워요.majayo. jogeum museowoyo.You're right. It's a bit scary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shark” translations and entries 상어, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 상어, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
