미국
Miguk[miɡuk̚]
The English phrase 'united states' is translated into Korean as 미국 (Miguk). If unsure, use 미국. Wiktionary also lists 아메리카 (Amerika) and 미합중국 (Mihapjungguk).
Meaning: country in North America (name)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 미국 | Miguk | [miɡuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 아메리카 | Amerika | [a̠me̞ɾikʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 미합중국 | Mihapjungguk | [miɦa̠p̚t͡ɕ͈uŋɡuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 미 | Mi | [mi(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The terms in this pack refer to the country in North America.
Which one should you use?
미국 is the common way to refer to the country. In contrast, 미합중국 is the formal, full name used in official contexts like treaties or legal documents. Additionally, while 미국 refers to the country, 아메리카 is often used to refer to the Americas (the continents) or in specific names like 'Americas' (아메리카 대륙).
How do you pronounce it?
Miguk
Did you know?
- While the South uses the character 美 meaning 'beautiful' to write 미국, North Korea uses the character 米 which means 'rice'.
- The word 미 used for 'America' is part of a Sino-Korean system, meaning its origin is rooted in Chinese characters rather than phonetic Korean.
- The abbreviation 미 can actually mean several different things depending on the context, including the musical note 'mi' or the color 'blue' in certain classical contexts.
Examples in context
- 미시시피는 미국에서 가장 긴 강이야.The Mississippi is the longest river in the United States.This sentence shows the use of 미국 to refer to the country.Tatoeba #8375031 by Eunhee, translation #452792 by CM
- 반도체는 한국에 대한 미국의 수출 1위였어.Semiconductors were the top United States export to South Korea.This sentence shows how 미국 is used to describe an export.Tatoeba #8421085 by Eunhee, translation #680898 by Source_VOA
- 독일은 미국과 전쟁하는 것을 원하지 않았다.Germany did not want war with the United States.This sentence shows the use of 미국 in the context of a relationship between nations.Tatoeba #11128400 by Eunhee, translation #804242 by Source_VOA
- 다음 주, 저는 미국에 여행을 갈 예정입니다.I am planning to travel to the United States next week.
- 미합중국 정부는 이 문제에 대해 신중하게 처리할 것입니다.The government of the United States of America will handle this issue carefully.
- 미국에 다녀온 적이 있어?Have you ever been to the United States?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are talking about a vacation trip.
- 민준 Min-jun미국에 가본 적 있어?Miguge gabon jeok isseo?Have you ever been to the United States?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니, 아직 한 번도 안 가봤어.Ani, ajik han beon-do an gabwasseo.No, I haven't been there even once yet.
- 민준 Min-jun나중에 꼭 한번 가봐.Najung-e kkok hanbeon gabwa.You should definitely go there someday.
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 정말 가보고 싶어.Eung, jeongmal gabogo sipeo.Yeah, I really want to go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “united states” translations and entries 미국, 아메리카, 미합중국, 미, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 미, 미국, 미합중국, 아메리카, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
