Korean word

여우

Pronunciation

Romanizationyeou

Meaning

  • nounfox

Example

어제 공원에서 여우를 봤어.eo je kong wo ne seo yeo u reul pwa sseo

I saw a fox at the park yesterday.

Illustration for 여우 (fox)

More examples

그녀는 여우 같은 매력으로 모두의 시선을 끌었다.keu nyeo neun yeo u ka teun mae ryeo geu ro mo du ui si seo neul kkeu reot tta

She drew everyone's attention with her fox-like charm.

Core concept

A small wild dog, also linked with charm and clever behavior.

Common phrases

  • 여우 같은 사람yeo u ka teun sa ram

    sly person

  • 여우 같은 매력yeo u ka teun mae ryeok

    fox-like charm

Similar words

고양이koyangi: A small furry animal that lives with people, has sharp claws, and often makes a meowing sound.
개kae: A four-legged animal that lives with people as a pet or helps with guarding and other tasks.

Definition in Korean

야생의 작은 개과 동물을 가리키는 말로, 본래 동물을 뜻하면서도 특히 매력적이거나 교활한 사람을 비유할 때도 쓰이는 단어ya saeng ui cha geun kae gwa tong mu reul ka ri ki neun mal lo pol lae tong mu reul tteu ta myeon seo do teu ki mae ryeok jjeo gi geo na kyo hwal han sa ra meul pi yu hal ttae do sseu i neun ta neo

Word origin

The older history of this Korean word is uncertain, so no known source explains how the animal word came to describe people.

Usage tips

  • For children, it is safest to use 여우 (yeou, "fox") for the animal first, because applying animal names to people can sound teasing or judgmental.

Other meanings

  • sly personnoun

Opposites

  • 솔직한 사람soljikan saramhonest personnoun
  • 순진한 사람sunjinhan saraminnocent personnoun

Word lists with this word