돌
dol[to̞(ː)ɭ]
The English word 'stone' is translated into Korean as 돌 (dol).
Meaning: small piece of stone (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 돌 is the general term for any stone, the word 돌멩이 is used specifically to refer to a small stone or a pebble.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, particles are attached to 돌 to indicate its role in a sentence. To mark the stone as the direct object of a verb, use 돌을. To mark the stone as the subject of a sentence, use 돌이.
How do you pronounce it?
dol
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, the first birthday of a child is called 돌, and a traditional ceremony involves the child picking an object from a table to predict their future.
- The word 돌 can also mean 'to rotate' or 'to spin' when used as the stem of the verb 돌다.
- The Middle Korean spelling of 'stone' was 돓〯, which included a side dot known as a 'bangjeom' to indicate a specific tone.
Examples in context
- 지네가 오래된 돌벽의 틈새 사이로 슬쩍 기어들어왔다.The centipede sneaked through the cracks of the old stone wall.This example shows how the word 돌 can be used to describe a stone wall.Tatoeba #13049176 by Uwe, translation #11879623 by Amastan
- 마음에 드는 돌멩이를 집었으면, 얼른 집으로 가져가 잘 돌보도록 한다. 그게 그대의 유일한 돌멩이이기 때문이다.Once you've picked up a stone that you like, take it home as soon as you can and treat it well, because that's the only stone you've got.This example uses the word 돌 to refer to a stone one might pick up.Tatoeba #11597187 by cherryband, translation #724318 by eastasiastudent
- 소년은 돌을 던졌습니다.The boy throws a stone.This example demonstrates the use of the object marker with 돌.Tatoeba #1313526 by Arraroak, translation #2805562 by Deerhound
- 고대 건축에서는 붉은 석재가 많이 사용되었다.In ancient architecture, red stones were widely used.
- 그 돌은 아주 크고 무거워요!That stone is very big and heavy!
- 바다에 큰 바위들이 있어요.There are big rocks in the sea.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are walking along a riverbank.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 저기 물가에 돌이 있어요.Minjun-ssi, jeogi mulgae doli isseoyo.Minjun, there is a stone by the water over there.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 예쁜 돌이네요!Jeongmal yeppeun dol-ineyo!It is a really pretty stone!
- 수빈 Su-bin이 돌을 가져가고 싶어요.I dol-eul gajyeogago sipeoyo.I want to take this stone.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 제가 들어 드릴게요.Geureom jega deureo deurilgeyo.Then I will carry it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stone” translations and entries 돌, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 돌, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
