은
eun[ɯn]
The English word 'silver' (the metal) is translated into Korean as 은 (eun). Wiktionary also lists 백은 (baegeun).
Meaning: metal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 은 | eun | [ɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 백은 | baegeun | [pɛɡɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞ɡɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to the chemical element and the metal itself. If you wish to describe the color silver rather than the metal, use 은색. To describe something as being silver-colored, the adjective 은빛의 is used.
Which one should you use?
While 은 is the standard word for the metal, 백은 is a more formal or literary term often used in specific contexts like jewelry or historical descriptions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When the noun 은 is followed by a particle starting with a vowel, the particle's form may change, but the noun itself remains 은.
How do you pronounce it?
eun
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, 은 was believed to have the power to detect poison. It was common for royalty to use silver chopsticks or spoons to ensure their food was safe.
- The term 은 shares the same pronunciation as the Korean word for 'grace' or 'mercy', written as 은 (恩).
- While 은색 refers to the color silver, the word 은빛 is often used poetically to describe a 'silvery light' or 'silver glow' from the moon.
Examples in context
- 은이 금보다 가치가 낮아.Silver is worth less than gold.This sentence is useful for comparing the value of 은 to gold.Tatoeba #8533887 by Eunhee, translation #8533311 by sundown
- 이것은 은으로 만든 동전이다.This is a silver coin.This sentence is useful for describing a coin made of 은.Tatoeba #8382938 by baehyunsol, translation #2584315 by tanulni
- 금이 은보다 더욱 가치가 있다.Gold is more valuable than silver.This sentence is useful for expressing that gold is more valuable than 은.Tatoeba #6318473 by solar0425, translation #6317788 by carlosalberto
- 이 은 숟가락은 아주 귀하니 조심히 사용해야 합니다.This silver spoon is very precious, so please use it with care.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are looking at jewelry in a shop window.
- 민지 Min-ji저 반지는 은으로 만든 거야?jeo banjineun eun-euro mandeun geoya?Is that ring made of silver?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 은 제품이야.eung, eun jepum-iya.Yes, it is a silver product.
- 민지 Min-ji도현아, 은색이 정말 예쁘다.Dohyun-a, eunsaek-i jeongmal yeppeuda.Dohyun, the silver color is really pretty.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아, 은 제품은 항상 고급스러워.maja, eun jepum-eun hangsang gogeupseureowo.True, silver products are always luxurious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silver” translations and entries 은, 백은, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
