해골
haegol[hɛɡo̞ɭ]
The English word 'skeleton' can be translated into Korean. The default form is 해골 (haegol). Wiktionary also lists 골격 (golgyeok) and 뼈대 (ppyeodae).
Meaning: system that provides support to an organism (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 해골 | haegol | [hɛɡo̞ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [he̞ɡo̞ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 골격 | golgyeok | [ko̞ɭɡjʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 뼈대 | ppyeodae | [p͈jʌ̹dɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [p͈jʌ̹de̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the choice of word for 'skeleton' depends on whether you are referring to a biological system, a physical object or an anatomical skull.
Which one should you use?
The terms differ based on their specific application: 해골 refers specifically to the skull or the physical remains of a skeleton (bones) rather than the biological structure. In contrast, 골격 is the formal or scientific term for a biological skeleton or a structural framework. Finally, 뼈대 is often used to describe the structural framework of an object or the 'backbone' of an idea or organization.
How do you pronounce it?
haegol
Did you know?
- While 해골 refers to a skull, it is also used in Korean to describe a person who is extremely thin or emaciated, much like calling someone a 'walking skeleton' in English.
- The word 해골 is derived from the Chinese characters 骸 meaning 'corpse' and 骨 meaning 'bone'.
- Unlike the English idiom 'skeleton in the closet', which uses the word for bones, Korean expresses the idea of a hidden flaw or secret using entirely different terms.
Examples in context
- 인체 해골Human skeleton
- 박물관에서 커다란 해골을 봤어요.bak-mul-gwan-e-seo keo-da-ran hae-gol-eul bwa-sseo-yo.I saw a large skeleton at the museum.
- 이것은 고대 인류의 해골이에요.i-geot-eun go-dae in-ryu-ui hae-gol-i-e-yo.This is an ancient human skeleton.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihun are visiting a natural history museum.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 저 해골 좀 보세요!Ji-hun ssi, jeo hae-gol jom bo-se-yo!Jihun, look at that skeleton!
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 크네요, 서연 씨.Jeong-mal ke-ne-yo, Seo-yeon ssi.It is really big, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon공룡 해골은 정말 신기해요.Gong-ryong hae-gol-eun jeong-mal sin-gi-hae-yo.The dinosaur skeleton is truly amazing.
- 지훈 Ji-hun사진으로 남겨둬야겠어요.Sa-jin-eu-ro nam-gye-du-eo-ya-get-eo-yo.I should take a photo of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skeleton” translations and entries 해골, 골격, 뼈대, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 골격, 뼈대, 해골, CC BY-SA 4.0.
