설강화
seolganghwa[sʰʌ̹ɭɡa̠ŋβwa̠]
The English word "snowdrop" is 설강화 (seolganghwa) in Korean.
설강화 refers to the plant known as a snowdrop.
Meaning: plant (noun)
Which one should you use?
설강화 is the standard Korean term for the plant, while 스노드롭 is a loanword from English often used in more specialized botanical or decorative settings.
How do you pronounce it?
seolganghwa
Did you know?
- In Korea, the snowdrop is often associated with the 'flower of hope' because it blooms while the ground is still frozen.
- The middle character in 설강화, 降, does not just mean 'to fall' like snow, but can also carry the nuance of 'to descend' or 'to be bestowed'.
- Because 설강화 contains the character for 'snow', many Koreans use it as a poetic metaphor for something pure or white that appears suddenly in winter.
Examples in context
- 설강화가 피어 있어요.seolganghwaga pieo isseoyo.The snowdrops are blooming.
- 이 꽃은 설강화예요.i kkocheun seolganghwayeyo.This flower is a snowdrop.
- 설강화를 좋아하세요?seolganghwareul joahaseyo?Do you like snowdrops?
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are walking in a park.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 저기 좀 보세요.Seoyeon ssi, jeogi jom boseyo.Seoyeon, look over there.
- 서연 Seo-yeon와, 정말 예쁜 설강화네요!wa, jeongmal yeppeun seolganghwane-yo!Wow, what a beautiful snowdrop!
- 민준 Min-jun벌써 봄이 오려나 봐요.beolsseo bomi oryona bwayo.I guess spring is coming already.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 기대돼요.jeongmal gidaedwaeyo.I am really looking forward to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowdrop” translations and entries 설강화, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
