나무늘보
namuneulbo[na̠munɯɭbo̞]
The English word "sloth" is translated into Korean as 나무늘보 (namuneulbo).
Meaning: mammal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 나무늘보 literally translates to 'tree-slow-animal' to describe the animal's habitat and movement.
How do you pronounce it?
namuneulbo
Did you know?
- Because Korea is a 'pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture, the 나무늘보 is often viewed as the ultimate opposite of the ideal Korean social pace.
- In Korean pop culture and emojis, the 나무늘보 is often used as a symbol for 'healing' or taking a slow break from a high-pressure society.
- Unlike the English 'sloth' which can mean the sin of laziness, 나무늘보 is strictly used for the animal and does not carry the religious weight of 'sloth' in a Korean context.
Examples in context
- 나무늘보에 대한 다큐멘터리를 봤어요. 정말로 매력적인 동물들이에요!I watched a documentary about sloths. They are such fascinating animals!
- 나무늘보는 정말 느려요.namuneulboneun jeongmal neuryeoyo.The sloth is really slow.
- 나무늘보는 나무 위에서 살아요.namuneulboneun namu wieseo sarayo.Sloths live in trees.
- 동물원에서 나무늘보를 봤어요.dongmulwoneseo namuneulboreul bwasseoyo.I saw a sloth at the zoo.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are watching a nature documentary together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저 나무늘보는 너무 귀여워요.jeo namuneulboneun neomu gwiyeowoyo.That sloth is so cute.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 정말 느릿느릿하네요.majayo, jeongmal neuritneurithaneyo.True, it is really slow-moving.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나무늘보가 잠을 자고 있어요.namuneulboga jameul jago isseoyo.The sloth is sleeping.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 평화로워 보여요.jeongmal pyeonghwarowo boyeoyo.It looks really peaceful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sloth” translations and entries 나무늘보, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
