장난감
jangnan'gam[t͡ɕa̠ŋna̠nk͈a̠m]
The Korean word for toy is 장난감 (jangnan'gam). Wiktionary also lists 완구 (wan'gu) and 완롱물 (wallongmul).
Meaning: something to play with (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 장난감 | jangnan'gam | [t͡ɕa̠ŋna̠nk͈a̠m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 완구 | wan'gu | [ˈwa̠(ː)nɡu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [wa̠nɡu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 완롱물 | wallongmul | [wa̠ɭɭo̞ŋmuɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | dated |
장난감 is the standard, everyday word used when talking to children or about children's playthings in a casual setting.
What does it mean word for word?
장난감 is a compound of 장난 (play/joke) and 감 (material/thing), literally meaning 'a thing for playing'.
Which one should you use?
While 장난감 is the common word for a toy, 완구 is a more formal or technical term often used in business, industry or official retail contexts (e.g., 'toy industry'). The term 완롱물 is a dated way to refer to a toy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
완구 is a formal version used in business or industry, while 완롱물 is considered dated.
How do you pronounce it?
jangnan'gam
Did you know?
- The root word 장난 can refer to a 'toy' in a metaphorical sense, such as when someone is 'playing' with another person's emotions or treating a serious situation like a game.
- The suffix 감 in 장난감 is used for various 'materials' or 'ingredients', such as 옷감 for 'fabric' or 땔감 for 'firewood'.
- Because 장난 can mean a 'joke', calling something a 장난감 in a sarcastic adult context can imply that a piece of equipment is too flimsy or small to be useful.
Examples in context
- 아이가 자동차 장난감을 가지고 놉니다.A child plays with a car toy.This sentence shows how to use 장난감 when describing a child playing with a car toy.
- 제 아이는 장난감을 좋아해요.My child likes toys.
- 지난 주말에 내 동생이 완구를 사왔어요.My younger sibling bought a toy last weekend.
- 이 장난감은 정말 귀여워요.i jangnanggameun jeongmal gwiyewoyo.This toy is really cute.
- 새 장난감을 사고 싶어요.sae jangnangameul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy a new toy.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are looking at toys in a store.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 이 장난감 어때요?minjun ssi, i jangnangam eottaeyo?Min-jun, how about this toy?
- 민준 Min-jun그 장난감 아주 좋아 보여요.geu jangnangam aju joa boyeoyo.That toy looks very good.
- 지은 Ji-eun조카에게 선물할 거예요.jokage seonmulhal geoyeyo.I am going to give it to my nephew as a gift.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 좋은 생각이에요.jeongmal joeun saenggagieyo.That is a really good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toy” translations and entries 장난감, 완구, 완롱물, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
