나무
namu[na̠mu]
The English word "tree" is translated into Korean as 나무 (namu).
나무 refers to a large woody plant. It can also be used to refer to the material wood itself.
Meaning: large woody plant (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
namu
Did you know?
- Korean culture views the 소나무 or 'pine tree' as a symbol of longevity and unchanging loyalty, often featuring it in traditional ink wash paintings.
- In Middle Korean, the word for 'tree' was 나모, but it changed to 나ᇚ when followed by a suffix starting with a vowel.
- Korean has a specific term 나무꾼 meaning 'woodcutter', which often appears as a central character in traditional Korean folk tales and myths.
Examples in context
- 톰이 뒷마당에 야자 나무를 심고 있다.Tom is planting a palm tree in his backyard.This sentence shows how to use 나무 when referring to a specific type of tree, a palm tree.Tatoeba #9583528 by vitalux, translation #1686674 by Amastan
- 나는 그 나무가 베어지는 것에 절대적으로 반대한다I'm absolutely opposed to the tree being chopped down.This sentence demonstrates using 나무 to describe a tree being chopped down.Tatoeba #9803415 by ST_Young, translation #2776822 by AlanF_US
- 그는 나무에서 떨어졌다.He fell from the tree.This sentence illustrates using 나무 to indicate a person fell from a tree.Tatoeba #11105315 by intertime, translation #304156 by CK
- 저기 저 나무가 정말 아름답죠?Look, that tree is really beautiful, isn't it?
- 여름에 나무 그늘 아래 앉아서 쉬는 것이 좋아요.Sitting under a tree and resting in the shade during summer is nice.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyeonwoo are walking in a park.
- 서연 Seo-yeon저 나무 정말 예뻐요.jeo namu jeongmal yeppeoyo.That tree is really pretty.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요, 잎 색깔이 좋네요.majayo, ip saekkari jonneyo.You're right, the leaf color is nice.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이 나무 이름이 뭐예요?i namu ireumi mwoyeyo?What is the name of this tree?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아마 단풍나무일 거예요.ama danpungnamu-il geoyeyo.It's probably a maple tree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tree” translations and entries 나무, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 나무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
