What does 구름 mean?

구름 (gu-reum, gureum)

구름 (gureum) means a collection of water droplets or ice crystals floating in the sky. It's common in everyday conversation and literature.

A photo of clouds in the sky

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

구름(gu-reum, gureum)

구름 refers to a white or gray mass made of water vapor or ice crystals floating in the sky.

Nuances

  • Clouds can metaphorically express emotions or moods, not just weather.
  • Gray clouds usually imply rain or overcast weather.
  • Describing cloud shapes or movements is common in poetic expressions.

When to use

Everyday conversation, Weather description, Literary expression

In context

구름 is a noun mainly used to describe natural phenomena or weather. It can function as a subject, object, or part of an adverbial phrase in sentences. Suitable for both casual and literary contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 하늘에 구름이 많이 떠 있어요.

    ha-neul-e gu-reum-i man-i tteo iss-eo-yo., ha neul e gu reum i man i tteo iss eo yo.

    Cloud is naturally used as the subject.

  • 구름을 먹었어요.

    gu-reum-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., gu reum eul meok eoss eo yo.

    Clouds are not edible, so this is unnatural.

  • 구름이 비를 내릴 것 같아요.

    gu-reum-i bi-reul nae-ril geos gat-a-yo., gu reum i bi reul nae ril geos gat a yo.

    Correct sentence describing clouds related to rain.

  • 구름을 봐서 기분이 좋아졌어요.

    gu-reum-eul bwa-seo gi-bun-i joh-a-jyeoss-eo-yo., gu reum eul bwa seo gi bun i joh a jyeoss eo yo.

    Natural sentence expressing emotion after seeing clouds.

  • 구름이 빨리 달려요.

    gu-reum-i ppal-ri dal-ryeo-yo., gu reum i ppal ri dal ryeo yo.

    Clouds cannot run, so this is inappropriate.

  • 저 구름은 회색이에요.

    jeo gu-reum-eun hoe-saek-i-e-yo., jeo gu reum eun hoe saek i e yo.

    Accurate sentence describing the color of a cloud.

Quick quiz

  1. What does 구름 mean?

    구름의 뜻은 무엇인가요?(gu-reum-uitteus-eunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, gureumuitteuseunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses 구름 correctly?

    다음 중 구름을 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjunggu-reum-eulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjunggureumeulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)

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