What does 눈 mean?

눈 (nun)

The Korean word '눈' has multiple meanings. This guide explains its core and figurative uses.

Illustration showing an eye and falling snowflakes

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

(nun)

'눈' primarily means the organ of sight (eye) in humans or animals. It also means 'snow,' the white ice crystals falling from the sky.

Nuances

  • 눈 (eye) often symbolizes emotions or perspectives.
  • 눈 (snow) frequently conveys seasonal mood or atmosphere.
  • 눈 can metaphorically mean 'attention' or 'watching.'

When to use

daily conversation, literature, weather news, expressing emotions

In context

'눈' is a noun that can mean 'eye' or 'snow' depending on context. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Korean.

Real-world examples

  • 그녀의 눈이 아름다워요.

    geu-nyeo-ui nun-i a-reum-da-wo-yo., geu nyeo ui nun i a reum da wo yo.

    '눈' refers to eyes and the sentence is grammatically correct.

  • 오늘 아침에 눈이 많이 왔어요.

    o-neul a-chim-e nun-i man-i wass-eo-yo., o neul a chim e nun i man i wass eo yo.

    '눈' means snow here and the expression is natural.

  • 눈을 감고 생각해 봐.

    nun-eul gam-go saeng-gak-hae bwa., nun eul gam go saeng gak hae bwa.

    '눈' means eye and the imperative sentence is appropriate.

  • 눈이 내리는 밤은 조용해요.

    nun-i nae-ri-neun bam-eun jo-yong-hae-yo., nun i nae ri neun bam eun jo yong hae yo.

    '눈' means snow and the sentence structure is correct.

  • 그는 눈이 나빠서 안경을 써요.

    geu-neun nun-i na-ppa-seo an-gyeong-eul sseo-yo., geu neun nun i na ppa seo an gyeong eul sseo yo.

    '눈' means eye and the sentence is natural.

  • 눈으로만 보면 안 돼요.

    nun-eu-ro-man bo-myeon an dwae-yo., nun eu ro man bo myeon an dwae yo.

    '눈' means eye and it is an idiomatic expression.

  • 눈이 녹아서 길이 미끄러워요.

    nun-i nok-a-seo gil-i mi-kkeu-reo-wo-yo., nun i nok a seo gil i mi kkeu reo wo yo.

    '눈' means snow and the sentence fits the situation.

  • 눈이 내리는 것을 좋아해요.

    nun-i nae-ri-neun geos-eul joh-a-hae-yo., nun i nae ri neun geos eul joh a hae yo.

    '눈' means snow and the expression is natural.

Quick quiz

  1. What are the two basic meanings of '눈'?

    '눈'의 기본적인 두 가지 의미는 무엇인가요?('nun'uigi-bon-jeok-induga-jiui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, 'nun'uigibonjeokindugajiuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses '눈' as 'snow'?

    다음 중 '눈'이 '눈(snow)' 의미로 쓰인 문장은?(da-eumjung'nun'i'nun(snow)'ui-mi-rosseu-inmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'nun'i'nun(snow)'uimirosseuinmunjangeun?)
  3. What does '눈을 감다' mean?

    '눈을 감다'의 뜻은?('nun-eulgam-da'uitteus-eun?, 'nuneulgamda'uitteuseun?)

More meaning guides

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