Korean word

나무

Pronunciation

Romanizationnamu

Meaning

  • nountree

Example

마당에 나무가 있어요.ma dang e na mu ga i sseo yo

There is a tree in the yard.

Illustration for 나무 (tree)

More examples

봄에 나무를 심었어요.po me na mu reul si meo sseo yo

I planted a tree in spring.

Core concept

A large rooted plant that grows a trunk and branches, along with the useful material obtained from it.

Common phrases

  • 나무를 심다na mu reul sim tta

    plant a tree

  • 나무에 물을 주다na mu e mu reul chu da

    water a tree

  • 나무 그늘na mu keu neul

    tree shade

Similar words

목재mokjjae: Wood cut and prepared for building or making furniture.
그루keuru: A counting word for one tree or other large rooted plant.
숲sup: A place where many trees grow close together.

Definition in Korean

땅에 뿌리를 내리고 줄기와 가지가 자라는 큰 식물 또는 그 식물에서 얻는 목재를 이르는 말.ttang e ppu ri reul nae ri go chul gi wa ka ji ga cha ra neun keun sing mul tto neun keu sing mu re seo eon neun mok jjae reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

This is a native Korean word with a long history, and its use covers both a living tree and the material that comes from it.

Usage tips

  • English usually separates tree and wood, but Korean can use this one everyday noun for both, so the context shows which meaning is intended.

Other meanings

  • woodnoun

Related words

  • 나무꾼namukkunwoodcutternoun
  • 나무젓가락namujeotkkarakwooden chopsticksnoun
  • 나무토막namutomakpiece of woodnoun

Word lists with this word