나무
namu[na̠mu]
The Korean word for wood is 나무 (namu).
나무 refers to the substance of wood, but it is also the word used for a living tree. Depending on the context, it can mean either the material or the plant.
Meaning: substance (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 나무 can mean both the living tree and the substance of wood, the term 목재 is used specifically when referring to wood as a material in formal contexts. Additionally, you can use the phrases 단단한 목재 for hardwood and 부드러운 나무 for softwood.
How do you pronounce it?
namu
Did you know?
- The word 나무 is used in the idiom 나무랄 데 없다 to mean 'perfect'. It literally translates to 'there is no place to scold', but it is used to describe something flawless.
- When discussing the 'Five Elements' philosophy, the concept of 'wood' is expressed as 목 rather than 나무.
- In Middle Korean, the word for 'tree' or 'wood' changed its form depending on the grammar that followed it, appearing as 나모 in isolation but shifting to 나ᇚ when a vowel-starting suffix was attached.
Examples in context
- 나무가 탄다.Wood burns.This sentence illustrates the use of 나무 as a substance that burns.Tatoeba #11106954 by intertime, translation #323576 by CK
- 나무는 종이를 만드는 재료로 쓰인다.Wood is used as a material to make paper.This sentence shows how 나무 is used as a material for making paper.
- 이 탁자는 목재로 만들어졌어요This table is made of wood
- 바닥은 나무로 되어 있어The floor is made of wood
- 이 탁자는 나무로 만들어졌다.i takjaneun namuero mandeureojyeotda.This table is made of wood.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are looking at a piece of furniture.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 의자 재질이 뭐예요?i uija jaejiri mwoyeyo?What is this chair made of?
- 서연 Seo-yeon천연 나무로 만든 거예요.cheon-yeon namuro mandeun geoyeyo.It's made of natural wood.
- 지훈 Ji-hun색깔이 정말 예쁘네요.saekkkari jeongmal yeppeuneyo.The color is really beautiful.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 결이 아주 좋아요.majayo, gyeori aju joayo.Right, the grain is very nice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wood” translations and entries 나무, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 나무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
