쌍둥이
ssangdung'i[s͈a̠ŋduŋi]
The English phrase "twins" is 쌍둥이 (ssangdung'i) in Korean.
The word 쌍둥이 refers to twins.
Which one should you use?
To be more specific about the type of twins, you can use different terms. Use 일란성 쌍둥이 for identical twins and 이란성 쌍둥이 for fraternal twins.
How do you pronounce it?
ssangdung'i
Did you know?
- Because Korean culture emphasizes seniority, twins are often assigned a strict birth order. Even a few minutes of difference determines who is the 형 'older brother' or 언니 'older sister' to the other.
- In the Korean language, the character for 'double' in 쌍둥이 is also used in the word 쌍꺼풀 to refer to a 'double eyelid', a highly desired physical trait in Korean beauty standards.
- The suffix -둥이 is an affectionate diminutive often used to turn nouns into terms of endearment for children or pets.
Examples in context
- 메리랑 케이트는 일란성 쌍둥이야.Mary and Kate are identical twins.This sentence is useful for using 쌍둥이 to describe identical twins.Tatoeba #8367813 by Eunhee, translation #6063623 by Hybrid
- 진과 케이트는 쌍둥이야.Jean and Kate are twins.This sentence is useful for using 쌍둥이 to say that two people are twins.Tatoeba #8367799 by Eunhee, translation #53887 by CN
- 우리 아이들은 쌍둥이입니다Our children are twins.
- 그 집 아이들은 쌍둥이야.geu jib aideureun ssangdung-iya.The children in that house are twins.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are talking about their friends' children.
- 민지 Min-ji민준아, 저 집 아이들 봤어?Minjun-a, jeo jip aideul bwasseo?Minjun, did you see those children in that house?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 쌍둥이라서 그런지 정말 닮았더라.eung, ssangdung-iraseo geureonji jeongmal dalmatdeora.Yes, they look so much alike, maybe because they are twins.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 귀여운 쌍둥이야.jeongmal gwiyeoun ssangdung-iya.They are truly cute twins.
- 민준 Min-jun맞아, 정말 사랑스러워.maja, jeongmal sarangseureowo.Right, they are so lovely.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 쌍둥이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
