Korean word

흙

Pronunciation

Romanizationheuk

Meaning

  • nounsoil

Example

화단에 흙을 더 넣어 주세요.hwa da ne heul geul teo neo eo chu se yo

Please add more soil to the flower bed.

Illustration for 흙 (soil)

More examples

비가 와서 대문 앞에 흙탕물이 고였어요.pi ga wa seo tae mun a pe heuk tang mu ri ko yeo sseo yo

Because it rained, muddy water has pooled in front of the gate.

Core concept

The loose material at the land surface, made of tiny mineral particles mixed with organic matter.

Common phrases

  • 흙을 밟다heul geul pap tta

    step on soil

  • 흙을 털다heul geul teol da

    brush off dirt

  • 흙이 튀다heul gi twi da

    dirt goes flying

Similar words

땅ttang: The firm ground that supports buildings and provides land for farming.
토양toyang: The upper soil layer where plants grow and where roots find water and nutrients.
진흙chinheuk: Wet soil that becomes soft and sticky when mixed with water.

Definition in Korean

건조하거나 습한 상태를 포함하여 땅 표층을 이루는 입자와 유기물의 혼합물.keon jo ha geo na seu pan sang tae reul po ham ha yeo ttang pyo cheung eul i ru neun ip jja wa yu gi mu rui hon ham mul

Word origin

흙 (heuk, "soil") is a native Korean word rather than a loanword, with related forms recorded in Middle Korean and a long history as a basic word for soil.

Usage tips

  • 흙 (heuk, "soil") is usually treated as a mass noun, so amounts are naturally described with measures such as a handful or a shovelful rather than counted as separate pieces.

Related words

  • 흙탕물heuktangmulmuddy waternoun
  • 흙색heukssaekearth colornoun

Word lists with this word