If you’re a pet owner learning Korean, you already know that animals aren't just animals—they’re family. Whether you're trying to describe your dog’s habits, talk to a vet, or just say “Meow” in Korean, knowing the right expressions can make all the difference.
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This guide will help you speak naturally and confidently about your furry companions, from everyday phrases to cultural slang. You’ll discover how Koreans talk about pets in real life—and how you can, too!
Let’s explore how you can bring your love for animals into your Korean learning, one practical phrase at a time. 🐾
🐶 How to Talk About Your Pet in Korean: Easy Words and Phrases for Animal Lovers
If you're just starting to talk about your pets in Korean, you're in the right place. This section focuses on simple and everyday expressions that Korean pet owners actually use. Whether you have a dog, cat, hamster, or even a turtle, these phrases will help you introduce, describe, and talk about your furry (or scaly!) family member.
Let’s start with introductions. In Korean, instead of saying “I have a dog,” you can say “강아지를 키워요” (gangajireul kiwoyo), which means “I raise a dog.” If it's a cat, you can say “고양이를 키워요” (goyangireul kiwoyo). Notice that the verb “키우다” (kiuda) means “to raise,” and it's the natural way to say you own a pet in Korean.
You might also want to say your pet’s name or breed. For example: “우리 강아지 이름은 해피예요” (uri gangaji ireumeun haepiyeyo) — “My dog’s name is Happy.” Or: “시츄를 키우고 있어요” (sichureul kiugo isseoyo) — “I’m raising a Shih Tzu.”
Want to describe your pet’s personality? Try these common phrases: “애교 많아요” (aegyo manayo) — “Very affectionate” “순해요” (sunaeyo) — “Gentle” “낯가려요” (natgarieoyo) — “Shy around strangers” “말을 잘 들어요” (mareul jal deureoyo) — “Listens well”
You’ll often hear pet owners talk in baby-talk style with their pets. They might say: “밥 먹자~” (bap meokja~) — “Let’s eat!” “산책 갈까?” (sanchaek galkka?) — “Shall we go for a walk?” “안아줄까?” (anajulkka?) — “Want a hug?” These phrases add warmth and cuteness to your pet talk.
Don’t forget basic adjectives. You can say: “귀여워요” (gwiyeowoyo) — “So cute!” “똑똑해요” (ttokttokhaeyo) — “Smart!” “장난꾸러기예요” (jangnankkureogieyeyo) — “Mischievous!”
In daily conversations or social media, Korean pet owners often refer to their animals as “우리 아기” (uri agi — “our baby”) or “우리 집 막내” (uri jip maknae — “the youngest in our house”). It shows how emotionally attached they are to their pets—just like family.
Let’s look at some common sentence structures to build your own pet phrases:
- “우리 [동물]는(은) [형용사]예요.” — “Our [animal] is [adjective].”
- “[이름]는(은) [동작 동사]요.” — “[Name] is [doing something].”
- “[동물]를 키우고 있어요.” — “I’m raising a [animal].”
📋 Basic Korean Pet Talk Summary
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 강아지를 키워요 | gangajireul kiwoyo | I raise a dog |
| 애교 많아요 | aegyo manayo | very affectionate |
| 밥 먹자 | bap meokja | let’s eat |
| 귀여워요 | gwiyeowoyo | so cute |
| 우리 집 막내 | uri jip maknae | youngest in the house |
If you want to go deeper into how to introduce your pet and describe them in real conversations, you’ll love this practical post full of expressions and real-life scenarios: 👉 Read: How to Talk About Your Pet in Korean: Easy Words and Phrases for Animal Lovers
🐾 How to Talk to a Vet in Korean: Essential Health Terms for Pet Owners
One of the most important (and stressful) parts of pet ownership is going to the vet. If you live in Korea or visit with your pet, being able to explain symptoms or understand the vet’s questions in Korean can make a huge difference. In this section, we’ll cover the essential Korean phrases and words for vet visits—especially the ones that real pet owners use.
Start with describing the problem. Here are some useful ways to express what your pet is experiencing: “기운이 없어요” (giuni eopseoyo) — “No energy” “안 먹어요” (an meogeoyo) — “Not eating” “자꾸 긁어요” (jakku geulgeoyo) — “Keeps scratching” “하품을 자주 해요” (hapumeul jaju haeyo) — “Yawns often”
If your pet has visible symptoms, use: “눈이 충혈됐어요” (nuni chungheoldwaesseoyo) — “Eyes are bloodshot” “설사를 해요” (seolsareul haeyo) — “Has diarrhea” “구토했어요” (gutohaesseoyo) — “Vomited” “다리를 절어요” (darireul jeoreoyo) — “Limping”
When the vet asks questions, these are common: “언제부터 그랬어요?” (eonjebuteo geuraesseoyo?) — “Since when?” “먹는 건 괜찮아요?” (meongneun geon gwaenchanaeyo?) — “Is it eating normally?” “변 상태는 어때요?” (byeon sangtaeneun eottaeyo?) — “How’s the stool?”
Some pet owners even mimic the sound to describe behavior, such as: “켁켁거려요” (kek-kek georyeoyo) — “Coughing / hacking” “쌕쌕거려요” (ssaekssaek georyeoyo) — “Wheezing” “컥컥대요” (keokkeok daeyo) — “Gagging / choking sound”
After the vet check-up, you might hear these words: “약 먹이세요” (yak meogiseyo) — “Give the medicine” “주사 맞아야 해요” (jusa majaya haeyo) — “Needs an injection” “중성화 수술했어요?” (jungseonghwa susulhaesseoyo?) — “Is the pet neutered/spayed?”
In more serious cases, the vet might say: “X-ray 찍어야 해요” (X-ray jjigeoya haeyo) — “Needs an X-ray” “입원이 필요해요” (ibwoni piryohaeyo) — “Needs hospitalization”
🩺 Korean Vet Talk Phrase Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 기운이 없어요 | giuni eopseoyo | has no energy |
| 다리를 절어요 | darireul jeoreoyo | is limping |
| 쌕쌕거려요 | ssaekssaek georyeoyo | wheezing |
| 약 먹이세요 | yak meogiseyo | give the medicine |
| 입원이 필요해요 | ibwoni piryohaeyo | needs hospitalization |
Learning these phrases will help you speak with confidence and care at the vet’s office. Want more real-life expressions used in actual Korean animal clinics? 👉 Read: How to Talk to a Vet in Korean: Essential Health Terms for Pet Owners
🐾 Learn Korean Pet Phrases for Feeding, Playing and Walking
Feeding, playing, and walking your pet are daily routines—but in Korean, they’re also full of adorable expressions and natural conversation starters. In this section, we’ll go through common things you say and do with your pets, and how those are said naturally in Korean.
Let’s start with feeding time. You can say: “밥 먹자~” (bap meokja~) — “Let’s eat!” “맛있게 먹어~” (masitge meogeo~) — “Eat well!” “간식 줄까?” (gansik julkka?) — “Want a treat?” These expressions are often said in a soft, friendly tone, just like baby talk.
Some pet owners call their animals to the bowl by tapping and saying: “이리 와~” (iri wa~) — “Come here~” “밥 있어~ 어서 와~” (bap isseo~ eoseo wa~) — “There’s food~ come quickly!”
During playtime, expressions get more playful: “공 가져와!” (gong gajyeowa!) — “Bring the ball!” “던질게~” (deonjilge~) — “I’ll throw it~” “물지 마~” (mulji ma~) — “Don’t bite~” “잘했어~” (jalhaesseo~) — “Good job~”
You might also hear expressions like: “너무 신나!” (neomu sinna!) — “So excited!” “팔짝팔짝 뛰어~” (paljjak-paljjak ttwieo~) — “Bouncing around!” These are great to describe energetic, happy pets.
When it’s time for a walk, you can say: “산책 가자~” (sanchaek gaja~) — “Let’s go for a walk!” “목줄 하고 나가자” (mokjul hago nagaja) — “Put on the leash and let’s go.” “밖에 나가면 조용히 해야 해” (bakke nagamyeon joyonghi haeya hae) — “You have to behave when we go out.”
To praise your pet after a walk or game: “오늘 산책 잘했어~” (oneul sanchaek jalhaesseo~) — “Great job on the walk today~” “물 많이 마셔~” (mul mani masyeo~) — “Drink lots of water~”
Want to sound more natural? Try combining commands with pet names: “뽀미야, 공 가져와~” (ppomiya, gong gajyeowa~) — “Ppomi, bring the ball~” “쪼꼬야, 밥 먹자~” (jjokkoya, bap meokja~) — “Jjokko, let’s eat~”
🐾 Daily Pet Routine Expressions
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 간식 줄까? | gansik julkka? | want a treat? |
| 공 가져와 | gong gajyeowa | bring the ball |
| 산책 가자 | sanchaek gaja | let's go for a walk |
| 잘했어 | jalhaesseo | good job |
| 물 많이 마셔 | mul mani masyeo | drink a lot of water |
If you want to learn how Korean pet owners speak with their animals every day, this full post includes more daily routines and lovable commands: 👉 Read: Learn Korean Pet Phrases for Feeding, Playing and Walking
🐾 How to Say Animal Sounds in Korean: Fun Expressions for Pet Lovers
Korean animal sounds are fun, expressive, and different from English! If you’ve ever wondered how to say “Meow” or “Woof” in Korean—or describe how your dog barks or your cat purrs—this section is for you. Let’s dive into the adorable world of Korean animal onomatopoeia and how people use them in real conversations.
In Korean, the sound a dog makes is: “멍멍” (meongmeong) — Woof woof! For cats, it’s: “야옹” (yaong) — Meow!
You’ll hear people say things like: “멍멍~ 귀여워!” (meongmeong~ gwiyeowo!) — “Woof woof~ So cute!” “야옹~ 나도 고양이 키우고 싶어” (yaong~ nado goyangi kiugo sipeo) — “Meow~ I want to raise a cat too.”
Pet owners also use these expressions during play or when talking directly to their pets: “야옹아~ 밥 먹자” (yaonga~ bap meokja) — “Kitty~ Let’s eat!” “멍멍~ 귀엽다!” (meongmeong~ gwiyeopda!) — “Woof woof~ So cute!” “야옹~ 안아주고 싶어!” (yaong~ anajugo sipeo!) — “Meow~ I want to hug you!”
Korean also uses unique sound expressions to describe animal actions: “컹컹 짖어요” (keongkeong jijeoyo) — “Barks loudly” “골골거려요” (golgol georyeoyo) — “Purrs (like a cat)” “킁킁거려요” (keungkeung georyeoyo) — “Sniffing around”
These sounds aren’t just for fun—they’re used in real speech, social media comments, and storytelling. It makes your Korean feel lively and emotionally rich.
🎵 Korean Animal Sounds & Meanings
| Korean | Romanization | English Sound |
|---|---|---|
| 멍멍 | meongmeong | Woof woof |
| 야옹 | yaong | Meow |
| 컹컹 | keongkeong | Big bark |
| 골골 | golgol | Purring |
| 킁킁 | keungkeung | Sniff sniff |
Want to learn more fun animal sounds and how Koreans use them naturally in real life? 👉 Read: How to Say Animal Sounds in Korean: Fun Expressions for Pet Lovers
🐾 Advanced Korean for Pet Lovers: Everyday Routines and Expressions (Table)
Now that you’ve learned how to talk about pets, visit the vet, and use fun animal sounds in Korean, let’s take it a step further. This section explores how to describe your pet’s behavior, daily habits, and emotional states more fluently—using advanced vocabulary and expressions that native speakers use.
For example, instead of simply saying “My dog is cute,” you can say: “강아지가 꼬리를 살랑살랑 흔들어요” (gangajiga kkorireul sallang-sallang heundeureoyo) — “My dog wags its tail gently.” Here, “살랑살랑” adds movement and emotion to your sentence.
Want to describe your pet’s mood? Try: “오늘따라 우울해 보여요” (oneulttara uulhae boyeoyo) — “He seems a bit gloomy today.” “기분이 좋아서 팔짝팔짝 뛰어요” (gibuni joaseo paljjak-paljjak ttwieoyo) — “She’s jumping up and down with joy.”
Advanced speakers also use contextual verbs to add detail: “문 앞에서 킁킁거리며 기다려요” (mun apeseo keungkeung georimyeo gidaryeoyo) — “Waits at the door sniffing.” “사람을 보면 꼬리를 흔들면서 반겨요” (saram-eul bomyeon kkorireul heundeulmyeonseo bangyeoyo) — “Greets people by wagging its tail.”
If your pet is overly excited or nervous: “낑낑거리면서 불안해해요” (gginggging georimyeonseo buranhaehaeyo) — “Whines and seems anxious.” “주인이 없으면 울어요” (juin-i eopseumyeon urayo) — “Cries when the owner is away.”
Behavior-based phrases show fluency: “밥을 먹고 나서 뒹굴어요” (bapeul meokgo naseo dwinggureoyo) — “Rolls around after eating.” “장난감을 물고 오고 싶어 해요” (jangnangameul mulgo ogo sipeo haeyo) — “Wants to bring a toy.”
🐾 Advanced Pet Routine Expression Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 살랑살랑 꼬리를 흔들어요 | sallang-sallang kkorireul heundeureoyo | wags its tail softly |
| 기분이 좋아서 팔짝팔짝 뛰어요 | gibuni joaseo paljjak-paljjak ttwieoyo | jumps with joy |
| 킁킁거리며 기다려요 | keungkeung georimyeo gidaryeoyo | sniffs and waits |
| 낑낑거리며 불안해해요 | gginggging georimyeo buranhaehaeyo | whines and feels anxious |
| 뒹굴어요 | dwinggureoyo | rolls around |
These expressions are commonly heard among Korean pet owners and appear in casual conversation, pet shows, and even pet-related K-dramas. Using them naturally will instantly upgrade your Korean fluency and show emotional understanding of animal behavior.
🐾 Korean Idioms and Slang from Pet Culture (Table)
The way a culture talks about animals often reveals a lot about their humor, values, and personality. In Korean, there are many colorful idioms and modern slang expressions based on animals—especially pets like dogs and cats. This section introduces you to fun, emotional, and sometimes funny phrases that real Koreans use in daily conversation, social media, and entertainment.
One classic idiom is “개처럼 일하다” (gaecheoreom ilhada) — “To work like a dog.” It’s used to express working hard without rest or reward. A common phrase at the end of a long workday might be: “오늘도 개처럼 일했어…” (oneuldo gaecheoreom ilhaesseo…) — “Worked like a dog again today...”
Another is “고양이 손도 빌리고 싶다” (goyangi sondo billigo sipda) — “I’d even borrow a cat’s paw.” It means being so busy you’d take help from anyone. You might say it during deadlines or events: “요즘 너무 바빠서 고양이 손도 빌리고 싶어요.”
Modern Korean slang has also embraced “멍뭉미” (meongmungmi) and “야옹미” (yaongmi): - 멍뭉미 is used to describe someone with a puppy-like charm — innocent, loyal, and lovable. - 야옹미 is used for someone with cat-like charm — chic, independent, and elegant.
You’ll often hear these expressions in K-pop fandoms, drama recaps, or casual dating talk. “그 배우, 진짜 멍뭉미 터지네~” — “That actor is overflowing with puppy charm~” “나는 야옹미 있는 사람이 좋아~” — “I like people with cat-like vibes~”
Other idioms include:
- “돼지처럼 먹다” (dwaejicheoreom meokda) — “Eat like a pig”
- “여우 같다” (yeou gata) — “Cunning like a fox”
- “말도 안 돼, 진짜 멍멍 짖는 소리야!” — “That’s nonsense, sounds like a barking dog!”
🐾 Animal Idioms & Slang Table
| Expression | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 개처럼 일하다 | gaecheoreom ilhada | work like a dog |
| 고양이 손도 빌리고 싶다 | goyangi sondo billigo sipda | desperate for help |
| 멍뭉미 | meongmungmi | puppy-like charm |
| 야옹미 | yaongmi | cat-like charm |
| 돼지처럼 먹다 | dwaejicheoreom meokda | eat like a pig |
Next time you see someone being sweet, loyal, or dramatic—try describing them using these idioms. Koreans do it all the time. And if you’re a K-drama fan, you’ll start catching these phrases in almost every episode!
📌 FAQ
Q1. How do I say “pet” in Korean?
A1. The word is 애완동물 (aewandongmul), but these days people prefer 반려동물 (ballyeodongmul), meaning “companion animal.”
Q2. What’s the difference between 강아지 (gangaji) and 개 (gae)?
A2. “강아지” means puppy (cute and affectionate), while “개” is a general word for dog.
Q3. How do Koreans call their cats?
A3. “야옹아~” (yaonga~) or using the cat’s name with “야” or “아” (like "Nabi-ya").
Q4. What do I say when I want to feed my pet?
A4. Try “밥 먹자~” (bap meokja) — “Let’s eat!” or “사료 먹자” (saryo meokja) for pet food.
Q5. How do I say “good boy” or “good girl” in Korean?
A5. You can say “착하지~” (chakaji~) — literally “You’re good,” with a loving tone.
Q6. Is there a Korean word for ‘meow’ and ‘woof’?
A6. Yes! “야옹” (yaong) for meow, and “멍멍” (meongmeong) for woof.
Q7. What do I say to calm my pet in Korean?
A7. Try “괜찮아~” (gwaenchanha~) — “It’s okay.” Or “조용히 해” (joyonghi hae) — “Calm down.”
Q8. Can I use honorifics when talking to my pet?
A8. Not usually! Use casual speech — pets are treated like children, so informal tone is natural.
Q9. How do Koreans say “Let’s go for a walk” to pets?
A9. Say “산책 가자~” (sanchaek gaja~) in a happy tone. Most pets recognize the word “산책.”
Q10. How do I ask about pet allergies in Korean?
A10. “알레르기 있어요?” (allereugi isseoyo?) — “Do you have allergies?” If talking about pets: “강아지 알레르기 있어요?”
Q11. How do I ask “Is your pet friendly?” in Korean?
A11. Say: “강아지(또는 고양이) 순해요?” (gangaji/goyangi sunhaeyo?) — “Is your dog/cat gentle?”
Q12. How do I compliment someone’s pet?
A12. You can say: “너무 귀엽다~” (neomu gwiyeopda~) — “So cute!” or “예쁘다~” (yeppeuda~) — “Pretty!”
Q13. How do I say “He likes it!” when giving treats?
A13. Try “좋아해요!” (joahaeyo!) — “He likes it!” or “맛있나 봐요” (masinna bwayo) — “Looks like it’s yummy.”
Q14. What’s the Korean word for “veterinarian”?
A14. It’s 수의사 (su-uisa). And “animal hospital” is 동물병원 (dongmul byeongwon).
Q15. How do I describe my dog’s personality?
A15. Use expressions like: 활발해요 (hwalbalhaeyo) — “Very active,” or 사교적이에요 (sagyojeogieyo) — “Sociable.”
Q16. What’s “tail wagging” in Korean?
A16. “꼬리를 흔들어요” (kkorireul heundeureoyo) — “Wags the tail.” Add “살랑살랑” (sallang-sallang) to make it cuter!
Q17. How do I say “My dog is barking”?
A17. Say: “강아지가 짖어요” (gangajiga jijeoyo) — “The dog is barking.”
Q18. Is there a cute way to say “puppy” in Korean?
A18. Yes! “댕댕이” (daengdaengi) is a popular internet slang word for dogs, especially in cute or meme contexts.
Q19. How do I say “He’s afraid of strangers”?
A19. Say: “낯가려요” (natgaryeoyo) — “Shy with strangers.” or “사람을 무서워해요” (saram-eul museowohaeyo) — “Afraid of people.”
Q20. How do I say “He’s playful”?
A20. Try: “장난꾸러기예요” (jangnankkurugiyeyo) — “He’s a troublemaker/playful.”
Q21. Can I use “너” for my pet?
A21. Yes! In Korean, people often talk to pets as if they’re kids or close friends, using informal “너.”
Q22. What’s the Korean word for “leash”?
A22. “목줄” (mokjul) — used for “dog leash” or “collar with leash.”
Q23. How do I describe purring?
A23. Say: “골골거려요” (golgol georyeoyo) — used for cats purring.
Q24. What does “멍뭉미” mean?
A24. “멍뭉미” (meongmungmi) refers to “puppy-like charm”—adorable, innocent, loyal. A very popular K-pop compliment!
Q25. What is “야옹미”?
A25. “야옹미” (yaongmi) means “cat-like charm”—chic, graceful, mysterious vibe.
Q26. How do I say “He’s whining”?
A26. Say: “낑낑거려요” (gginggging georyeoyo).
Q27. What’s a cute way to say “Let's play”?
A27. “놀자~” (nolja~) or “같이 놀자!” (gachi nolja!) — “Let’s play together!”
Q28. How do I ask “Do you have a pet?”
A28. “반려동물 키우세요?” (ballyeodongmul kiuseyo?) — “Do you have a pet?”
Q29. What’s the phrase for “roll over” or “lie down”?
A29. “엎드려” (eopdeuryeo) for “lie down,” “구르기” (gureugi) or “굴러” (gulleo) for “roll over.”
Q30. What’s a good Korean phrase for showing affection to your pet?
A30. “우리 아가~ 사랑해~” (uri aga~ saranghae~) — “My baby~ I love you~” is often used with pets just like with children.
📌 Disclaimer: This content is intended for educational purposes only. The Korean phrases, cultural references, and expressions provided are for general language learning and do not constitute professional training, medical advice, or official interpretation services.
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