별
byeol[pjɘ(ː)ɭ]
The Korean word for star is 별 (byeol).
In an astronomical sense, 별 refers to a luminous celestial body made of plasma. It is also used metaphorically to refer to a celebrity or a famous person.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When 별 is the subject of a sentence, you add the particle 이 to form 별이. When 별 is the direct object of a verb, you add the particle 을 to form 별을.
How do you pronounce it?
byeol
Did you know?
- In the Korean language, the concept of a 'shooting star' is expressed as 별똥별, which literally translates to 'star poop star'.
- Korean speakers use the expression 별일 없지? to ask 'Is everything okay?' or 'Nothing unusual happened?' Here, 별 functions as 'special' or 'unusual' rather than 'star'.
- The word 별 can be a homonym with two completely different meanings depending on the context: it can mean 'star' or it can mean 'different' or 'separate'.
Examples in context
- 내 꿈은 별처럼 웃기예요.My dream is to smile like a star.This example shows how to use 별 in a metaphorical comparison.Tatoeba #9628590 by Sim5634, translation #12965003 by Uwe
- 별은 하나도 보이지 않았다.Not a star was to be seen.This sentence shows how to use 별 when describing the absence of stars in the sky.Tatoeba #1878309 by fercheung, translation #271535 by CM
- 저 별은 아름답습니다.That star is beautiful.
- 밤하늘에 별이 정말 많아요.bamhaneure byeori jeongmal manayo.There are so many stars in the night sky.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are looking at the sky at night.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 저기 별 좀 보세요.Jihun ssi, jeogi byeol jom boseyo.Jihun, look at that star over there.
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 정말 반짝거리네요!wa, jeongmal banjjakgeorineyo!Wow, it's really twinkling!
- 수빈 Su-bin여기서는 별이 아주 잘 보여요.yeogiseoneun byeori aju jal boyeoyo.The stars are very visible from here.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요. 정말 아름다워요.majayo. jeongmal areumdawoyo.You're right. It's truly beautiful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 별, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
