Korean word

나비

Pronunciation

Romanizationnabi

Meaning

  • nounbutterfly

Example

나비를 좋아해요.na bi reul cho a hae yo

I like butterflies.

Illustration for 나비 (butterfly)

More examples

나비가 꽃에 앉아 있어요.na bi ga kko che an ja i sseo yo

A butterfly is perched on a flower.

Core concept

A small winged insect that changes from a caterpillar through a pupa before flying as an adult.

Common phrases

  • 나비가 날다na bi ga nal da

    butterfly in flight

  • 나비 모양na bi mo yang

    butterfly shape

Similar words

나방nabang: A small winged insect that is often active after dark.
곤충konchung: A small six-legged animal found in many different forms.

Definition in Korean

애벌레에서 번데기를 거쳐 어른이 되어 두 날개로 나는 곤충ae beol le e seo peon de gi reul keo cheo eo reu ni toe eo tu nal gae ro na neun kon chung

Word origin

The Korean noun 나비 (nabi, "butterfly") is native Korean, although its deeper historical origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • For butterflies, Korean uses a counter for living creatures instead of the general counter for objects.

Opposites

  • 나방nabangmothnoun

Related words

  • 나비무늬nabimunibutterfly designnoun
  • 나비넥타이nabinektaibow tienoun

Word lists with this word