If you’re a fan of Squid Game, you’ll surely see the shapes triangle, circle, and square, differently. Wanna know more about Korean shapes vocabulary? (모양 Moyang)
Just recently, the new survival South Korean drama series “Squid Game” became trending which caused thrill and excitement to the fans. If you’re watching this series, you won’t miss the shapes seen in every episode. Is this a sign for you to learn some Korean shapes vocabulary?
Shapes are very important in Korean culture. It represents different things in life. The perfect examples are the shapes found in their flag. The circle that is divided into two in their flags represents the balance of the universe (Yin and Yang), while the four trigrams represent the principle of movement and harmony.
This blog will go back to the basics and learn some basic Korean shapes vocabulary for free. However, if you want a fun way to learn Korean, you should check Ling App. Using this app, and you can learn while you play.
Importance Of Shapes
Shapes were one of the most commonly taught lessons when we were young. If you can still recall, most of us have charts, pictures, and toy puzzles that teach us how to name shapes. Nowadays, as technology develops, videos and TV shows discussing shapes you can easily download and access through a computer or mobile phone.
Learning shapes since we were young is a significant stage of our lives. As we learn shapes, we can identify and compare objects around us based on their shape. In addition, it helps us develop our critical thinking by analyzing each important element that makes one shape different from another.
As we got older, understanding shapes became more useful. For example, in Math, we have a lesson called geometry. If you have learned meaningfully about shapes, it can be easy for you to understand the basics of this subject. It can also be applied in real-life situations like building houses and shopping.
In arts, different shapes give a different texture. Need I say more about the importance of shapes in the field of arts? I bet I don’t need to.
Shapes also have significance in different cultures and traditions in different parts of the world. Like how the circle, square, and triangle symbolize hierarchy in “Squid Game.” Some shapes have really important representations in their culture, like the Taegeuk pattern in Korean culture. In Eastern philosophy, this pattern signifies the ultimate truth, which is the origin of all creation.
Shape In Korean Language
After knowing the significance of shapes in our lives, let’s start widening our Korean shapes vocabulary by learning how to say Shapes in the Korean language.
모양 (Moyang)
When you’re in South Korea, you will hear locals use the Korean word 모양 (Moyang) to refer to shapes. The pronunciation is easy to learn and remember.
Object In Korean Language
물건 (Mulgeon)
Since we are learning shapes, we will also learn some objects that correspond to the shapes which can be easily found around us. So, to say the word object in Korean, you can use the word “–물건 (Mulgeon)”.
Korean Words For Basic Shapes And Objects
I think you’re all set! You already know the significance of shapes, and you already know how to say shapes and objects in Korean. Now, let us continue learning about Korean shapes vocabulary. Take note of the pronunciation of each Korean character (Hangul) because it is really important in spoken language. But, you don’t have to worry because the meaning of these Korean words can be found below them.
원 (Won)
English Translation: circle
Let’s start with the circle 원 (won) and what could be more commonly seed circle-shaped object in Korea aside from their cakes (–케이크 | keikeu)? Birthdays are not complete without their cutesy circle-shaped cakes with candles on top, just like Seri’s cake when she got surprised by North Korean soldiers during her birthday.
Aside from cake, here are some of the circle-shaped objects in the Korean language:
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
시계 | sigye | watch |
피자 | pija | pizza (whole) |
가락지빵 | garakjibbang | doughnut |
반지 | banji | ring |
동전 | dongjeon | coin |
타원 (Tawon)
English Translation: oval
Do you remember the Kdrama “Run On”? Seon-gyeom, a track and field player, usually runs in an oval-shaped field. This is the perfect example of oval 타원 (Tawon). Oval has the outline of an egg. You can find many oval-shaped objects around us. Here are some examples of the objects that are oval in shape:
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
계란 | gyeran | egg |
안장 | hanjang | leaf |
얼굴 | eolgul | face |
파인애플 | painaepeul | pineapple |
레몬 | remon | lemon |

사각형 (Jeongsagakhyeong)
English Translation: square
One of the most unforgettable square-shaped objects in a Kdrama is Choi Taek’s Go game board. Although this game was originated in China, this game can be seen as being played in different Kdrama series.
Here are some other objects that are square 사각형 (Jeongsagakhyeong) in shape:
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
베개 | begae | pillow |
빵 | ppang | bread (loaf) |
창문 | changmun | window |
체스판 | cheseupan | chessboard |
신분증 사진 | sinbunjeung sajin | ID Photo |
직사각형 (Jiksagakhyeong)
English Translation: rectangle
Undoubtedly, the most common rectangle-shaped object that you mostly see in Korea is the cellphone. Before they were known for K-pop and Kdramas, they have first known for their mobile phone and smartphone (스마트폰 | seumateupon) brands such as Samsung and LG.
Phones from Apple might be famous in most of the countries in the world, but in South Korea, it’s Samsung that owns the top spot. In fact, Samsung products dominated K-drama series like Itaewon Class, Crash Landing On You, and Hi Bye, Mama. You’ll see the characters flexing the new brands of Samsung in these dramas. You’ll notice that the Samsung Galaxy fold is really popular among them if you’re closely watching.
So, aside from smartphones, here are some objects that are rectangular in shape:
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
신용카드 | sinyongkadeu | credit card |
문 | mun | door |
텔레비전 | tellebijyeon | television |
돈 | don | money (bill) |
침대 | chimdae | bed |
삼각형 (Samgakhyeong)
English Translation: triangle
It is hard to find a single K-pop music video without the shape of a triangle (삼각형 | Samgakhyeong) in its background. But, the most common triangle in a K-drama is a love triangle. This is why you got heartbroken when Seo Dal-mi chose Nam Do-san over Han Ji-Pyeong in “Start-Up” and when Jang Man-Wol chose Goo Chan Sung over Go Chung Myung.
If you’re looking for objects that are triangle in shape, here’s a list:
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
피자 pija | pizza | (slice) |
옷걸이 | otgeori | hanger |
크리스마스 트리 | keuriseumaseu teuri | Christmas tree |
삼각김밥 | samgak kimbap | triangle Kimbap |
돛 | doch; dot | sail |
Other Shapes In Korean Language
Learning Korean basic shapes and objects may have been fun, but adding these words to your Korean shapes vocabulary will take you to the next level. So, here are some additional shapes in the Korean language that might help you one day. You might also notice the words with “모양” added at the end to indicate the word “shape” like heart-shaped. Although we all know that this is not actually the shape of the heart but, people use it as a symbol of love. That’s why Koreans do the finger heart, right?
Here is a list of additional Korean shapes vocabulary. Feel free to practice:
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
평행사변형 | pyeonghaengsabyeonhyeong | parallelogram |
반원 | banwon | semicircle |
정육면체 | jeongyungmyeonche | cube |
구체 | guche | sphere |
원기둥 | wongidung | cylinder |
원뿔 | wonppul | cone. |
피라미드 | piramideu | pyramid |
오각형 | ogakhyeong | pentagon |
육각형 | yukgakhyeong | hexagon |
칠각형 | chilgakhyeong | heptagon |
팔각형 | palgakhyeong | octagon |
하트 모양 | hateu-moyang | heart-shaped |
혜연 모양 | hyeyeon moyang | Hyeyeon shaped |
별 모양 | byeol moyang | star-shaped |
마름모 | mareummo | diamond-shape |
반달 모양 | bandal moyang | half-moon shaped |
초승달 | choseungttal | crescent |
십자가 | sipjaga | cross |
Other Objects In Korean Language
Of course, we should also add more vocabulary for objects. These objects are just the random thing you find everywhere that has a definite shape. Check this out and learn more.
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
다이아몬드 | daiamondeu | diamond |
트래픽 콘 | teulaepig kon | traffic cone |
냉장고 | naengjanggo | refrigerator |
화장지 | hwajangji | toilet paper |
수건 | sugeon | towel |
행주 | haengju | dish towel |
여권 | yeogwon | passport |
축구 | chuk-gu | football |
액자 | aegja | picture frame |
수영장 | suyeongjang | swimming pool |
가방 | gabang | suitcase |
전구 | jeongu | bulb |
공 | gong | ball |
통 | tong | can |
영화 | yeonghwa | film |
립스틱 | libseutig | lipstick |
거울 | geoul | mirror |
받침 접시 | badchim jeobsi | saucer |
접시 | jeopsi | plate |
유리 | yuli | glass |
수로관 | surogwan | water pipe |
주사위 | bodeugeim | dice |
선 | seon | line |
직선 | jikseon | straight line |
대각선 | daegakseon | diagonal (line) |
나선 | naseon | spiral line |
곡선 | gokseon | curved line |
대각선 | daegakseon | diagonal line |
평행선 | pyeonghaengseon | parallel line |
Vocabulary Words And Phrases Related To Shapes
After learning the different shapes and objects in Korean, let us widen your Korean shapes vocabulary more by these common words and phrases related to shapes.
Words
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
다각형 | dagakhyeong | polygon |
평평한 | pyeongpyeonghan | flat |
울툴불퉁한 | ultungbultunghan | uneven |
넓적한 | neolpjjeokan | wide |
뾰족한 | ppyojokan | pointed |
날씬한 | nalssinhan | thin |
얇은 | yalbeun | thin (thing) |
늘씬한 | neulssinhan | tall and thin |
뚱뚱한 | ttungttunghan | fat |
우산 | usan | umbrella |
Phrases And Sentences
Hangul | Romanization | English Translation |
좋은 몸매 | joeun mommae | good shape |
송편 | songpyeon | half-moon-shaped rice cake |
모양의 | moyangui | in the shape of |
그는 원을 그려요 | geuneun woneul geuryeoyo | He draws a circle. |
상자는 정육면체 모양이에요 | sangjaneun jeongyungmyeonche moyangieyo | A box has a cubic shape. |
수영장은 직사각형이에요 | suyeongjangeun jiksagakyeongieyo | The swimming pool is a rectangle. |
축구공은 흰색과 검은색을 가지고 있어요 | chukgugongeun huinsaekgwa geomeunsaegeul gajigo isseoyo | A football is white and black in color. |
Improve Your Language Skills In Korean
Did you have fun learning Korean shapes vocabulary? Probably on your next “Squid Series” marathon, you’ll be able to know how to name the important shapes you see at the workers. But, do you actually want to end there? Don’t you want to learn Korean at a higher level to improve your Korean language skills? If you do, I suggest you should check out Ling App. You can also share it with your friends (친구 | chingu) who also want to learn Korean and other languages.
With Ling App, you will not only learn Korean shapes vocabulary, but you can choose from the variety of topics available. With Ling App, you can build your vocabulary and improve your listening, reading, and speaking skills. This app has audio recordings from native speakers to ensure the authenticity of the pronunciation and translations.
You can also have fun while you learn because Ling App has a gamification feature that will keep you engaged and track your progress.

Learning Korean shouldn’t be hard. It should be fun but meaningful, and Ling App will surely give you that experience. This is an invitation; start your free Korean lessons with Ling App now!