야생동물
The English phrase 'wildlife' is 야생동물 in Korean.
야생동물 is used to refer to animals in their natural environment.
Meaning: animals in their natural environment (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 야생, which means 'wild' or 'nature' and 동물, which means 'animal'.
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, certain 야생동물 like the tiger are not just seen as 'wildlife' but as 'mountain gods' 산신, blending biological terminology with spiritual belief.
- While 야생동물 is the general term, Koreans often use the word 산짐승 to describe wild animals specifically in the mountains, which are the dominant landform of the peninsula.
- While 야생동물 refers to wildlife, the word 동물 ('animal') contains the character for 'move'. Historically, this distinguished animals from plants, which were seen as 'still' beings.
Examples in context
- 야생 생물을 보는 건 날 행복하게 만든다.Looking at wildlife makes me happy.
- 우리는 야생동물을 보호해야 해요.uri-neun yasaengdongmul-eul boho-haeya haeyo.We must protect wildlife.
- 이곳은 야생동물이 살기 좋은 곳이에요.igot-eun yasaengdongmul-i salgi joeun gos-ieyo.This is a good place for wildlife to live.
- 그 다큐멘터리는 야생동물에 관한 것이에요.geu dakumenteori-neun yasaengdongmul-e gwanhan geos-ieyo.That documentary is about wildlife.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing a nature documentary at home.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 이 야생동물 다큐멘터리 봤어요?Subin ssi, i yasaengdongmul dakumenteori bwasseoyo?Subin, did you see this wildlife documentary?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 도현 씨. 정말 감동적이었어요.Ne, Dohyeon ssi. Jeongmal gamdong-jeog-ieosseoyo.Yes, Dohyeon. It was really moving.
- 도현 Do-hyeon야생동물들이 정말 자유로워 보이더라고요.Yasaengdongmul-deuri jeongmal jayurowo boideoragoyo.The wildlife looked so free.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 자연의 모습이 멋졌어요.Majayo, jayeon-ui moseup-i meotjyeosseoyo.True, the sight of nature was wonderful.
