유니콘
yunikon[junikʰo̞n]
The English word unicorn is translated into Korean as 유니콘 (yunikon) or 일각수.
Meaning: mythical horselike creature (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 유니콘 | yunikon | [junikʰo̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 일각수 | ilgaksu | [iɭɡa̠ks͈u] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to the mythical horselike creature. 유니콘 is the standard way to refer to the creature in modern settings such as fantasy stories or pop culture.
Which one should you use?
유니콘 is a loanword from English and is the most common way to refer to the creature today. In contrast, 일각수 is a more classical term used in academic, mythological or historical contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
yunikon
Did you know?
- In older Korean texts, creatures resembling unicorns were often conflated with the 기린 'qilin', a mythical hooved chimerical creature from East Asian mythology.
- Korean pop culture often uses 유니콘 to describe a 'perfect' person who is so ideal that they likely do not exist in real life.
- In modern Korean business terminology, the word 유니콘 is used to describe a startup company valued at over one billion dollars.
Examples in context
- 유니콘은 동화나 판타지에서 자주 등장하는 동물입니다.Unicorns often appear in fairy tales and fantasy.
- 마법의 유니콘Magical unicorn
- 화려한 유니콘Glamorous unicorn
- 유니콘은 귀여운 동물이에요.Unicorns are cute animals.
- 유니콘은 전설 속 동물입니다.Unicorns are mythical creatures.
- 유니콘은 정말 신비로운 동물이에요.yunikoneun jeongmal sinbiroun dongmulieyo.A unicorn is a truly mysterious animal.
- 동화책에 유니콘이 나와요.donghwachaek-e yunikoni nawayo.A unicorn appears in the fairy tale book.
- 아이들이 유니콘 인형을 좋아해요.aideuri yunikon inhyeongeul joahaeyo.Children like unicorn dolls.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are looking at a picture book together.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 이 동물은 뭐예요?Seoyeon ssi, i dongmureun mwoyeyo?Seoyeon, what is this animal?
- 서연 Seo-yeon이건 유니콘이라는 동물이에요.igeon yunikon-iraneun dongmuryeyo.This is an animal called a unicorn.
- 도현 Do-hyeon뿔이 하나 있어서 정말 멋지네요.ppuri hana isseoseo jeongmal meotjineyo.It's really cool because it has one horn.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 정말 신비롭게 생겼어요.majayo, jeongmal sinbiropge saenggyeosseoyo.You're right, it looks very mysterious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unicorn” translations and entries 유니콘, 일각수, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
