Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 영 | yeong | [jʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 공 | gong | [ko̞ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 제로 | jero | [t͡ɕe̞ɾo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, different words are used to denote the number zero based on whether you are performing mathematical calculations, reciting digits or using modern loanwords. 영 is the standard term for mathematical or scientific concepts, such as 'absolute zero'. 공 can also be used to refer to the concept of something being empty or blank. 제로 is a loanword from English used frequently in marketing or to describe specific states, such as zero calories.
Which one should you use?
영 is the standard mathematical term used in academic or formal contexts. 공 is the form typically used when reciting digits in a sequence, such as when giving a phone number or a room number. 제로 is a loanword used primarily in commercial contexts or to describe specific concepts like 'zero tolerance'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting in Korean, zero is expressed as 영 and is typically followed by the numbers one through ten: 영 일 이 삼 사 오 육 칠 팔 구 십.
How do you pronounce it?
yeong
Did you know?
- The word 영 is a homonym that can mean many different things depending on the Hanja used, ranging from 'English' to 'spirit' or 'eternity'.
- While 영 is the mathematical term, using the word 공 to say a phone number digit makes it much easier for the listener to distinguish it from the number 'one' (일).
- The term 공 shares its root with the word for 'empty' or 'void', which is why it is often used to describe a blank space or a zero in a sequence.
Examples in context
- 절대 영도는 도달할 수 있는 가장 낮은 온도이다.Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature.This sentence shows how 영 is used in the scientific term 'absolute zero'.Tatoeba #11106628 by intertime, translation #5367115 by Mateon1
- 이건 제로 칼로리야.This has zero calories.This sentence illustrates the use of the loanword 제로 in the context of 'zero calories'.Tatoeba #13151055 by SN_H, translation #9300174 by DJ_Saidez
- 점수가 영이에요.The score is zero.
- 네 점수는 제로야.Your score is zero.
- 온도가 영도까지 내려갔어요.ondoga yeongdo kkaji naeryeogasseoyo.The temperature dropped to zero degrees.
Example conversation
Do-hyeon and Su-bin are checking the weather forecast.
- 도현 Do-hyeon내일 기온이 영도라고 해요.naeil giuni yeongdorago haeyo.They say tomorrow's temperature will be zero degrees.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 추워지겠네요.jeongmal chuwojigenneyo.It's going to be really cold.
- 도현 Do-hyeon옷을 따뜻하게 입어야겠어요.oseul ttatteuthage ibeoya-gesseoyo.We should dress warmly.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 감기 조심하세요.majayo, gamgi josim-haseyo.That's right, watch out for colds.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” translations and entries 영, 공, 제로, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공, 영, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
