삼각형
samgakhyeong[sʰa̠mɡa̠cçʌ̹ŋ]
The English phrase 'triangle' is translated into Korean as 삼각형 (samgakhyeong). Wiktionary also lists 삼각 (samgak) and 세모 (semo).
Meaning: polygon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 삼각형 | samgakhyeong | [sʰa̠mɡa̠cçʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 삼각 | samgak | [sʰa̠mɡa̠k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 세모 | semo | [ˈsʰe̞(ː)mo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to a polygon. While 삼각형 is the standard term, other forms exist depending on whether you are using the word as a prefix or in casual speech.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 삼각형 is composed of the parts 삼 (three), 각 (angle) and 형 (shape).
Which one should you use?
삼각형 is the standard geometric noun for the shape. In contrast, 세모 is a colloquial or simplified way to refer to a triangle, which is often used when teaching children or in casual contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
samgakhyeong
Did you know?
- The colloquial word 세모 is a homonym for a word meaning 'the end of the year', which comes from the characters for 'age' and 'sunset'.
- In Korean culture, the 'triangle' shape is often used in food, such as 삼각김밥 or triangle kimbap, which is a ubiquitous convenience store snack.
- The prefix 삼각 is used in the term 삼각관계, which describes a 'love triangle' or a complicated three-way relationship.
Examples in context
- 삼각형에 있는 모든 각도의 합은 180도야.The sum of all the angles in a triangle equals 180 degrees.This sentence is useful for illustrating the sum of angles in a triangle using the form 삼각.Tatoeba #8365148 by Eunhee, translation #72717 by CK
- 예쁜 옷을 만들기 위해 삼각형을 사용했어요.To create beautiful clothes, I used triangles.
- 세모 모양의 귀걸이 어떠세요?How about triangular-shaped earrings?
- 도화지에 삼각형을 그리세요.dohwajie samgakgyeongeul geuriseyo.Please draw a triangle on the drawing paper.
Example conversation
Ji-hun and Min-ji are studying geometry together.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지야, 이 도형은 뭐야?Minji-ya, i dohyeong-eun mwoya?Min-ji, what is this shape?
- 민지 Min-ji그건 삼각형이야.geugeon samgakhyeong-iya.That is a triangle.
- 지훈 Ji-hun삼각형은 변이 세 개지?samgakhyeong-eun byeoni se gae-ji?Triangles have three sides, right?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 맞아.eung, maja.Yes, that's right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “triangle” translations and entries 삼각형, 삼각, 세모, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 삼각, 삼각형, 세모, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
