장난감
jangnan'gam[t͡ɕa̠ŋna̠nk͈a̠m]
The English phrase 'toys' is translated into Korean as 장난감 (jangnan'gam).
장난감 refers to objects made for children to play with.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 장난감 is a compound of 장난, meaning play or joke and 감, meaning material or substance.
How does it change in a sentence?
While you can add the plural suffix 들 to create 장난감들 to explicitly mean 'toys', this suffix is often omitted in natural Korean speech because the context usually makes it clear that the word is plural.
How do you pronounce it?
jangnan'gam
Did you know?
- The word 장난 is used in the common expression 장난 아니야, which literally means 'it is not a joke' but is used as slang to mean 'this is incredible' or 'this is intense'.
- While 장난감 covers all toys, Koreans often use the English loanword 'toy' written as 토이 specifically when referring to high-end collector items or modern design toys.
- In Korean, the word 감 used in 장난감 is the same word used to describe 'potential' or 'feel' in a non-physical sense, such as having a 'feel' for a certain skill.
Examples in context
- 톰은 누나가 자기 장난감을 빼앗아 갔을 때마다 울음을 터뜨렸고, 누나는 바로 그런 이유로 그런 짓을 곧잘 해댔다.Tom always cried when his sister took away his toys, and for that very reason she loved to do so.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 장난감 in a sentence about a child's possessions.Tatoeba #8404074 by Eunhee, translation #8403991 by CK
- 장난감은 어디에 있나요?Where are the toys?
- 오늘 완구 가게에서 새로운 것을 샀어.I bought something new at the toy store today.
- 어릴 때, 장난감으로 놀기를 좋아했어요.I loved playing with toys as a child.
- 어떤 완구가 가장 좋아요?Which toy is your favorite?
- 완구 가게에 가서 재미있는 걸 하나 살까요?Let's go to the toy store and buy something fun!
- 이 장난감은 정말 귀여워요.i jangnanggameun jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.This toy is really cute.
- 아이 방에 장난감이 너무 많아요.ai bange jangnangami neomu manayo.There are too many toys in the child's room.
Example conversation
Dohyeon and Jieun are at a toy store.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 어떤 장난감이 제일 좋아요?Jieun ssi, eotteon jangnanggameul jeil joayo?Jieun, which toy do you like best?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 이 작은 인형 장난감이 좋아요.jeoneun i jageun inhyeong jangnanggami joayo.I like this small doll toy.
- 도현 Do-hyeon조카에게 선물로 주기에 딱 좋겠네요.jokaege seonmullo jugie ttak jokenneyo.That would be a perfect gift for my nephew.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 도현 씨가 고른 게 최고예요.ne, Dohyeon ssi-ga goreun ge choegoyeyo.Yes, the one you picked, Dohyeon, is the best.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 장난감, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
