별똥별
byeolttongbyeol[ˈpjɘ(ː)ɭt͈o̞ŋbjʌ̹ɭ]
The English phrase 'shooting star' in Korean is primarily translated as 별똥별 (byeolttongbyeol). Wiktionary also lists 유성 (yuseong) and 별똥 (byeolttong).
Meaning: meteor (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 별똥별 | byeolttongbyeol | [ˈpjɘ(ː)ɭt͈o̞ŋbjʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 유성 | yuseong | [jusʰʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 별똥 | byeolttong | [ˈpjɘ(ː)ɭt͈o̞ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, you can refer to a meteor or a shooting star using several different terms depending on whether you are speaking scientifically or casually.
What does it mean word for word?
The common term 별똥별 is a compound of 별 (star), 똥 (excrement or dropping) and 별 (star), which literally suggests a 'star-dropping star'.
Which one should you use?
별똥별 is the most common way to refer to a shooting star in daily conversation. You may also encounter 별똥, which is a shortened, more poetic or archaic form of 별똥별.
How do you pronounce it?
byeolttongbyeol
Did you know?
- The term 유성 is derived from the Chinese characters 流 (flow) and 星 (star). It describes the meteor as a 'flowing star' rather than a falling or shooting one.
- Using the formal term 유성 in a romantic or casual setting can make you sound like a textbook or a news reporter.
- The structure of 별똥별 is a linguistic redundancy, as it attaches the word 'star' 별 to the end of 별똥, which already means 'meteor'.
Examples in context
- 별똥별을 잡다Catch a shooting starThis sentence shows how to use the verb with 별똥별.
- 저기 저 별똥별이 있는 것 같아요.Look, there seems to be a shooting star over there.
- 유성은 밤하늘에서 아름다운 광경을 선사해요.Shooting stars offer a beautiful spectacle in the night sky.
- 방금 별똥별이 지나갔어.bang-geum byeol-ttong-byeol-i ji-na-gat-eo.A shooting star just passed by.
- 하늘에서 별똥별을 봤어.ha-neul-e-seo byeol-ttong-byeol-eul bwat-eo.I saw a shooting star in the sky.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are looking at the night sky.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은아, 저기 별똥별이다!Ji-eun-a, jeo-gi byeol-ttong-byeol-i-da!Jieun, look! A shooting star over there!
- 지은 Ji-eun정말? 빨리 소원 빌어!jeong-mal? ppal-li so-won bil-eo!Really? Hurry and make a wish!
- 도현 Do-hyeon이미 빌었어. 비밀이야.i-mi bil-eoss-eo. bi-mil-i-ya.I already did. It's a secret.
- 지은 Ji-eun나도 방금 빌었어.na-do bang-geum bil-eoss-eo.I just made one too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shooting star” translations and entries 별똥별, 유성, 별똥, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 별똥, 별똥별, 유성, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
