Learn Must-Know Korean Words, Phrases, and Cultural Tips About Pets (반려동물) in Korea

Pets are a beloved part of many households in Korea — from dogs and cats to more exotic companions. If you’re living in Korea or just chatting with pet lovers in Korean, it’s helpful to know how to talk about animals, pet care, and even vet visits using natural Korean expressions.

🐶 Must-Know Pet Vocabulary in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
반려동물	ban-ryeo-dong-mul	Pet (companion animal)
애완동물	ae-wan-dong-mul	Pet (older term, now less used)
강아지	gang-a-ji	Puppy / Dog
고양이	go-yang-i	Cat
햄스터	haem-seu-teo	Hamster
토끼	to-kki	Rabbit
새	sae	Bird
물고기	mul-go-gi	Fish
파충류	pa-chung-ryu	Reptile
사료	sa-ryo	Pet food
간식	gan-sik	Snack / Treat
목줄	mok-jul	Leash
배변패드	bae-byeon-pae-deu	Pee pad
장난감	jang-nan-gam	Toy
동물병원	dong-mul-byeong-won	Animal hospital
수의사	su-ui-sa	Veterinarian
예방접종	ye-bang-jeop-jong	Vaccination
중성화 수술	jung-seong-hwa su-sul	Neutering / Spaying
산책	san-chaek	Walk (for pets)
입양	ip-yang	Adoption

🐕 Useful Verbs & Phrases for Pet Owners in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
산책하다	san-chaek-ha-da	To go for a walk
밥을 주다	bap-eul ju-da	To feed (the pet)
배변하다	bae-byeon-ha-da	To go to the bathroom
훈련하다	hun-ryeon-ha-da	To train
목욕시키다	mo-gyok-shi-ki-da	To bathe (a pet)
병원에 데려가다	byeong-won-e de-ryeo-ga-da	To take to the vet
예방접종을 맞다	ye-bang-jeop-jong-eul mat-da	To get vaccinated
중성화하다	jung-seong-hwa-ha-da	To neuter/spay
입양하다	ip-yang-ha-da	To adopt
버리다	beo-ri-da	To abandon (used in serious context)

🗣️ Common Pet-Related Expressions in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
강아지 키우세요?	gang-a-ji ki-u-se-yo?	Do you have a dog?
어떤 종류예요?	eo-tteon jong-ryu-ye-yo?	What breed is it?
이름이 뭐예요?	i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?	What’s its name?
몇 살이에요?	myeot sal-i-e-yo?	How old is it?
너무 귀여워요!	neo-mu gwi-yeo-wo-yo!	So cute!
산책 자주 해요?	san-chaek ja-ju hae-yo?	Do you take it on walks often?
병원 다녀왔어요.	byeong-won da-nyeo-wa-sseo-yo	I went to the vet.
예방접종 끝났어요.	ye-bang-jeop-jong kkeut-nat-seo-yo	Finished vaccinations.
입양했어요.	ip-yang-haet-seo-yo	I adopted (it).

🐾 Pet Culture in Korea – What to Know

🐕 Pet Ownership is Growing

Pets are now often referred to as 반려동물 (companions), not 애완동물 (playthings).
Korea has many pet cafés, dog parks, and apartment pet rules to be aware of.

🏥 Vets & Pet Services

Most large neighborhoods have a 동물병원 (vet clinic).
Common services: 미용 (grooming), 예방접종 (vaccines), 중성화 수술 (neutering/spaying).

🐾 Apartment Living with Pets

Check your building’s 애완동물 금지 여부 (no-pets policy).
Barking or noise can lead to complaints.

📱 Tech & Pets

Apps like 펫프렌즈 (PetFriends) or 11번가 펫샵 let you buy 사료 (pet food), 장난감 (toys), and even book grooming services online.

🛒 Where to Shop for Pets

Pet stores: 펫샵, 강아지 가게, or 온라인 몰 (online malls).
Big chains: 쿠팡 (Coupang), 마켓컬리 (Market Kurly), and 몰티슈 (Malltissue) have pet sections.

🐕 Bonus Vocabulary – Talking About Pet Care

Korean	Pronunciation	English
펫호텔	pet-ho-tel	Pet hotel
펫시터	pet-si-teo	Pet sitter
펫카페	pet-ka-pe	Pet café
미용	mi-yong	Grooming
털갈이	teol-ga-ri	Shedding
알러지	al-leo-ji	Allergy
짖다	jit-da	To bark
물다	mul-da	To bite
입마개	ip-ma-gae	Muzzle
이동장	i-dong-jang	Pet carrier

🐾 Vocabulary Quiz

What’s the Korean word for “pet food”?
How do you say “I adopted a dog” in Korean?
Translate: “Do you have a cat?”

💬 Comment your answers below and tell us about your furry (or scaly!) friends in Korean!

📚 Want to Learn More?

✔️ Lottery in Korean
✔️ Bakery in Korean
✔️ Attending Sports Matches in Korean

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