Korean words that delight my ears

September 17, 2025

Bright yellow background with blue text and drawings of sunflowers. Text reads: "PICNIC JOURNAL 해바라기 sunflower literally means 'gazing at the sun.'" On the right are three blue line drawings of sunflowers with stems and leaves.

Light peach background with blue text and drawings of a bear and a kitchen. Text reads: "PICNIC JOURNAL 아기자기 cute / charming used to describe cute little objects gathered in a delightful arrangement." On the right is a large cartoon bear in front of a sink and refrigerator decorated with small cute drawings.

Light green background with blue text and drawings of perilla leaves. Text reads: "PICNIC JOURNAL 깻잎 perilla leaf wins the award for the weirdest word to pronounce ever." Two simple blue line drawings of perilla leaves are on the right.

Light blue background with blue text and drawings of cicadas. Text reads: "PICNIC JOURNAL 매미 cicada aka the soundtrack of Korean summer." Two large cicadas are drawn in blue line art on the right.

Light peach background with blue text and drawings of cartoon-style eyes. Text reads: "PICNIC JOURNAL 눈치 the subtle art of reading the room literally means 'eye power.'" To the right are various blue line drawings of eyes, some with glasses and some with expressive eyebrows.

Light peach background with blue text and drawings. Text reads: "PICNIC JOURNAL 두 마리 토끼를 잡다 killing two birds with one stone 일석이조 (一石二鳥) literally means 'catching two rabbits.'" On the right are simple blue line drawings of 2 rabbits.

‍

I have been thinking about my favourite Korean words obsessively for the last few years. I have several more stored away in notebooks and secret corners of my brain. The Korean language is so poetic and deeply rooted in Korean culture. Many of the words in this are impossible to translate directly into English

My favourite Korean words that make my heart sing and my ear holes buzz with delight (in no particular order):

해바라기 - Sunflower (literally means “gazing at the sun”)
아기자기 - Cute or charming (used to describe cute little objects gathered in a delightful arrangement)
깻잎 - Perilla Leaf
매미 - Cicada
눈치 - The subtle art of reading the room (literally means “eye power”)
두 마리 토끼를 잡다 - Killing two birds with one stone (literally means “catching two rabbits”). Another common expression is 일석이조 (一石二鳥).