해바라기
haebaragi[hɛba̠ɾa̠ɡi]
The Korean word for sunflower is 해바라기 (haebaragi).
The term 해바라기 refers to the sunflower flower.
Meaning: flower (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 해, meaning sun and 바라기, meaning looking at or facing. It literally refers to a flower that faces the sun.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is haebaragi.
When do people say it?
In Korea, sunflowers symbolize happiness, loyalty and longevity.
Did you know?
- Because 바라기 comes from the verb 'to look at' or 'to gaze', the word 'sunflower' can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is obsessed with or constantly looks toward someone.
- The word 해 for 'sun' is also used in the Korean word for 'year', creating a linguistic link between the daily sun and the annual cycle of time.
- In Korean pop culture and literature, a 해바라기 often represents unrequited love because the flower only looks at the sun, which cannot look back.
Examples in context
- 해바라기가 정말 예뻐요.haebaragiga jeongmal yeppeoyo.The sunflower is really beautiful.
- 꽃집에 해바라기가 있어요.kkotjibe haebaragiga isseoyo.There are sunflowers in the flower shop.
- 해바라기를 키우고 싶어요.haebaragireul kiugo sipeoyo.I want to grow a sunflower.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyeonu are walking through a botanical garden.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 저 해바라기 좀 보세요.Hyeonu ssi, jeo haebaragi jom boseyo.Hyeonu, look at that sunflower.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo와, 해바라기가 정말 크네요!Wa, haebaragiga jeongmal keuneyo!Wow, the sunflower is really big!
- 서연 Seo-yeon색깔도 아주 밝아요.Saekkkaldo aju balgayo.The color is also very bright.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 멋진 꽃이에요.Jeongmal meotjin kkoch-ieyo.It is a truly wonderful flower.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunflower” translations and entries 해바라기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
