뱀
baem[pɛ(ː)m]
The Korean word for snake is 뱀 (baem).
뱀 is the standard term used to refer to a snake, the legless reptile.
Meaning: legless reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is baem.
Did you know?
- While 뱀 refers to the animal, the term 뱀꿈 (snake dream) is specifically sought after in Korean folklore as a sign of great wealth or luck.
- In traditional Korean culture, there is a belief that snakes are guardians of the household and bringing one into the home is a sign of good luck.
- There is a possible linguistic connection between the Korean 뱀 and the Japanese word for snake, hebi, through an ancient shared root.
Examples in context
- 옛날에 동물원에서 많은 종류의 뱀을 볼 수 있었습니다.In the past, you could see many different types of snakes at the zoo.
- 형이 뱀을 보러 동물원에 가자고 해.My older brother wants to go to the zoo to see a snake.
- 숲에서 뱀을 봤어요.sup-eseo baem-eul bwas-seo-yo.I saw a snake in the forest.
- 뱀은 아주 빠르게 움직여요.baem-eun a-ju bba-reu-ge um-jik-yeo-yo.A snake moves very quickly.
- 그 뱀은 정말 무서워요.geu baem-eun jeong-mal mu-seo-wo-yo.That snake is really scary.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are walking through a park.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨, 저기 뱀이 있어요!Ji-eun ssi, jeo-gi baem-i iss-eo-yo!Jieun, there is a snake over there!
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 어디에 있어요?Jeong-mal-yo? Eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?Really? Where is it?
- 민준 Min-jun풀밭 속에 숨어 있어요.Pul-bat sok-e sum-eo iss-eo-yo.It is hiding in the grass.
- 지은 Ji-eun무서우니까 빨리 가요.Mu-seo-u-ni-kka ppal-li ga-yo.It's scary, so let's go quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries 뱀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 뱀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
