눈덩이
nundeong'i[ˈnu(ː)ndʌ̹ŋi]
The English phrase "snowball" is translated into Korean as 눈덩이 (nundeong'i). Wiktionary also lists 눈뭉치 (nunmungchi) and 스노우볼 (seunoubol).
Meaning: ball of snow (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 눈덩이 | nundeong'i | [ˈnu(ː)ndʌ̹ŋi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 눈뭉치 | nunmungchi | |
| 스노우볼 | seunoubol |
What does it mean word for word?
The word 눈덩이 is a compound consisting of 눈, meaning snow and 덩이, meaning lump or clod.
Which one should you use?
눈덩이 is used for a general ball or lump of snow. In contrast, 눈뭉치 specifically emphasizes a compact, bundled mass of snow and it is more commonly used when referring to a snowball prepared for a snowball fight.
How do you pronounce it?
nundeong'i
Did you know?
- The term 눈덩이 is frequently used as a metaphor for a debt or a problem that grows rapidly and uncontrollably, similar to the English phrase 'snowballing'.
- The word 눈 (snow) is also the same word used for 'eye' in Korean. While the spelling is identical, the pronunciation changes depending on the context.
- In modern Korea, the loanword 스노우볼 is almost never used for a snowball used in a fight, but specifically for the glass decorative ornaments containing fake snow.
Examples in context
- 경치가 아름다운 산에서 눈덩이를 던져 놀았어요.We played with snowballs at a beautiful mountain with a great view.
- 커다란 눈덩이를 만들었어요.keodaraneun neundeong-ireul mandeureosseoyo.I made a large snowball.
- 눈덩이를 던질 준비가 됐나요?neundeong-ireul deonjil junbiga dwaennayo?Are you ready to throw a snowball?
- 작은 눈덩이가 발 밑에 있어요.jageun neundeong-iga bal mite isseoyo.There is a small snowball under my feet.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are playing in the snow together.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 여기 눈덩이 봐요!Dohyun ssi, yeogi nundeong-i bwayo!Dohyun, look at this snowball!
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 진짜 크네요!wa, jinja keuneyo!Wow, it's really big!
- 수빈 Su-bin우리 이걸로 눈사람 만들까요?uri igeollo nunsaram mandeulkkayo?Shall we make a snowman with this?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요, 같이 만들어요.joayo, gachi mandeureoyo.Sounds good, let's make it together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowball” translations and entries 눈덩이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
