Korean word

무지개

Pronunciation

Romanizationmujigae

Meaning

  • nounrainbow

Example

비 온 뒤에 무지개가 나타났다.pi on twi e mu ji gae ga na ta nat tta

A rainbow appeared after the rain.

Illustration for 무지개 (rainbow)

More examples

산책 중에 하늘에 무지개가 걸려 있었다.san chaek chung e ha neu re mu ji gae ga keol lyeo i sseot tta

While walking, a rainbow was visible in the sky.

Core concept

A curved band of many colors appearing in the sky after rain.

Common phrases

  • 무지개가 뜨다mu ji gae ga tteu da

    a rainbow appears

  • 무지개를 보다mu ji gae reul po da

    see a rainbow

  • 무지개색mu ji gae saek

    rainbow color

Definition in Korean

햇빛이 공기 속 물방울을 통과하며 분산되어 하늘에 여러 색이 보이는 현상.haet ppi chi kong gi sok mul bang u reul tong gwa ha myeo pun san doe eo ha neu re yeo reo sae gi po i neun hyeon sang

Word origin

The word is generally treated as native Korean, but its deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can connect rainbow with the compound rain plus bow, but the Korean word is not transparently built from those ideas.

Related words

  • 무지개색mujigaesaekrainbow colornoun
  • 무지개빛mujigaebitrainbow lightnoun
  • 무지개무늬mujigaemunirainbow patternnoun

Word lists with this word