막대기
makdaegi[ma̠k̚t͈ɛɡi]
The English word 'stick' (referring to a long piece of wood) is translated into Korean as 막대기 (makdaegi). Wiktionary also lists 막대 (makdae).
Meaning: long piece of wood (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 막대기 | makdaegi | [ma̠k̚t͈ɛɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ma̠k̚t͈e̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 막대 | makdae | [ma̠k̚t͈ɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ma̠k̚t͈e̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Do not confuse these with the verb forms used for the action of adhering or gluing, such as 붙이다.
Which one should you use?
막대기 is the more common, everyday way to refer to a stick. In contrast, 막대 is often used in more formal, technical or structural contexts, such as when referring to a 'rod' in a scientific sense or as part of a compound noun.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
makdaegi
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because 'stick' can be both a noun and a verb in English, be careful not to use the noun 막대기 (a wooden stick) when you actually mean the verb 붙다 (to stick or adhere).
When do people say it?
When talking about eating utensils, note that the Korean word for chopsticks is 젓가락.
Did you know?
- The word 막대 is a Sino-Korean word derived from the characters 莫大, meaning 'no greater' or 'immense'.
- If you are using a stick to help you walk, calling it a 막대기 might sound strange to a native speaker. It is much more natural to use the specific word 지팡이 for a walking stick or cane.
- A 'stick' of incense, which a learner might want to call 막대기, is actually referred to as 향.
Examples in context
- 그는 채로 높은 곳에 있는 사과를 따려고 해요.He is trying to pick an apple from a high place with a stick.
- 아이가 나무 막대기로 모래성을 만들고 있어요.The child is building a sandcastle with a wooden stick.
- 그림을 그리기 위해 막대기 모양의 붓을 사용합니다.I use stick-shaped brushes to paint.
- 스티커를 붙입니다I stick a sticker
- 강아지가 나무 막대기 하나를 물고 있어요.gang-a-ji-ga na-mu mak-dae-gi ha-na-reul mul-go is-seo-yo.The puppy is holding a wooden stick in its mouth.
- 모래사장에 긴 막대기 하나를 꽂았어요.mo-rae-sa-jang-e gin mak-dae-gi ha-na-reul kkot-at-seo-yo.I stuck a long stick into the sandy beach.
- 아이들이 마른 막대기로 놀고 있어요.a-i-deul-i ma-reun mak-dae-gi-ro nol-go is-seo-yo.The children are playing with a dry stick.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park near a forest.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 저기 바닥에 막대기 하나 있어요.hyeon-u ssi, jeo-gi ba-dak-e mak-dae-gi ha-na is-seo-yo.Hyunwoo, there is a stick on the ground over there.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말이네요. 저 막대기 좀 쓸까요?jeong-mal-i-ne-yo. jeo mak-dae-gi jom sseul-kka-yo?You're right. Shall I use that stick?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 그냥 두는 게 좋겠어요.a-ni-yo, geu-nyang du-neun ge jo-ket-seo-yo.No, it's better to just leave it.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo알겠어요. 그럼 계속 걸어가요.al-get-seo-yo. geu-reom gye-sok geol-eo-ga-yo.I understand. Let's keep walking then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stick” translations and entries 막대기, 막대, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 막대, CC BY-SA 4.0.
