You’ve probably heard about K-pop and K-dramas or maybe even tasted the tangy zing of Kimchi and Bibimbap. But have you ever been intrigued by the lush, rhythmical flow of the Korean language and wondered what are the most beautiful Korean words for pregnancy? Let’s get to know more about that in today’s comprehensive guide. Let’s begin!
Pregnancy is a journey – nine life-changing months that could equate to starring in your very own reality show: “I’m Growing a Human!” It’s an intimate voyage that every mother and family uniquely experiences. But remember, just as every new mother-to-be finds her eyes growing wide at a brand new vocabulary – “trimester,” “ultrasound,” “fetal development”; every new language you learn also has its own world of linguistically rich, expressive words.
In this post, we decided to deliver into the spectacular world of Korean, a language as vibrant and dynamic as the culture it stems from, offering an array of beautiful, meaningful expressions to describe the phenomenon of bringing life into this world— yes, we’re talking about “Korean words for pregnancy.” Whether you’re a mama-to-be, a curious language learner, or someone on the lookout for unique ways to connect with various cultures, this blog post has something for you!
What Is “Pregnancy” In Korean?
Pregnancy—for some, it symbolizes a rite of passage, and for others, it’s the recipe for a tiny, adorable chaos-causer. No matter how you perceive it, the magic of pregnancy transcends languages and cultures. But how do you capture this enchanting concept in Korean? Let’s embark on this intriguing journey together!
Pregnancy, in the revered Korean language, is expressed as 임신 (Im-shin). The term itself sounds almost melodic, capturing the sweet song of the expecting in two simple syllables.
Now, let’s delve a bit deeper and see how “임신” rides in real-world contexts. Here are a few sentence examples and their English translations:
Example 1:
- “나는 임신 3개월이에요.”
- “Na-neun im-shin sam gaewol-ieyo.”
- “I am three months pregnant.”
Example 2:
- “그녀는 그의 임신을 매우 행복해해요.”
- “Geunyeo-neun geuui im-shin-eul maeu haengbokhaehaeyo.”
- “She is very happy about his pregnancy.”
And lastly, for our little humor lovers, here’s a third example:
Example 3:
- “임신 때문에 나는 피클을 좋아하게 되었어.”
- “Im-shin ttaemune na-neun pikeul-eul joahage doeeosseo.”
- Because of pregnancy, I’ve started loving pickles.”
Korean Words For Pregnancy
As discussed above, the word for “Pregnancy” in Korean is 임신 (Im-shin). There, we’ve got the basics down, plain and straightforward. But as Korean drama enthusiasts and bibimbap lovers, we believe you are here not just for basics but for something extra, aren’t you?
We hear you — so let’s dive a little deeper into the vast pool of other relatable terms that Korea’s rich language ecosystem has to offer.
Fetus – 태아 (Tae-a)
A pregnancy, of course, is centered around the most important entity—the growing baby. In Korean, the word for foetus, ‘태아’, directly translates to the unborn offspring in the womb. Nestled safely inside, the 태아 (Tae-a) starts as a little dot and grows, much like your understanding of Korean vocabulary.
Due Date – 예상 출산일 (Yesang Chulsanil):
Keeping track of time has never been more exciting than waiting for the ‘예상 출산일’—the expected day of birth or simply, the due date. As days turn into weeks and weeks to months, ‘Yesang chulsanil’ becomes a mother’s most anticipated day.
Miscarriage – 유산 (Yusan)
Then there’s ‘유산’, a term we wish we didn’t have to use, but it’s a part of reality and language. Miscarriage, in Korean, is expressed as 유산 (Yusan). It’s a testament to the fact that language, while beautiful and powerful, doesn’t shy away from coping with life’s tougher aspects.
Postnatal Recovery – 산후조리 (Sanhu Jori)
Last on our list is the term for postnatal recovery, ‘산후조리’ (Sanhu jori). After the endearing struggle of carrying a new life, ‘Sanhu jori’ is a period dedicated to the mother’s recovery and rejuvenation – much required and well-earned!
Pregnant Woman – 임산부 (Im-San-Bu)
If there’s one term we need to know related to this topic, then it would be the translation for the pregnant woman, or as the Koreans say, 임산부 (Im-san-bu). From now on, when you see an expectant mother on the streets of Seoul, you’ll know what to say! And remember the look of surprised delight on their face as you share your linguistic prowess? Priceless!
Mother – 산모 (San-mo)
After an arduous journey of pregnancy comes birth, transforming an 임산부 (Im-san-bu) into 산모 (San-mo), a mother who has just given birth. A beautifully succinct term, no doubt capturing an ocean of emotions in two syllables. Isn’t Korean amazing?
Round – 둥글둥글 (Dunggeul dunggeul)
Ah, the baby bump, a visible assurance of the beautiful life within. In Korean, they might describe this as 둥글둥글 (Dunggeul dunggeul), meaning ’round’ or ’rounded.’ Expectant moms might hear compliments like “당신은 둥글둥글 해요.” (Dangsin-eun dunggeul dunggeul haeyo), meaning, “You look round.” Don’t be surprised—all they’re doing is adoring that lovely baby bump!
Movement – 움직임 (Umjig-im)
One of the magical moments of pregnancy is feeling the baby’s 움직임 (Umjig-im) or movement. That fluttering butterfly sensation that every mom will not only feel but remember for a lifetime!
Breastfeeding – 수유 (Suyu)
Once the baby arrives, another important word to remember is 수유 (Suyu), meaning breastfeeding. It encapsulates the nurturing bond between a mother and her newborn, the beginning of a new chapter filled with warmth and deep affection.
Pregnancy Exercise – 임산부 체조 (Im-san-bu che-jo)
Let’s shake a leg for 임산부 체조 or pregnancy exercise! Remember, a little stretch and flex can make the 9 months journey smoother. Time to rock that maternity yoga or hire a specialist who can help you in stretching.
Hospital – 병원 (Byeong-won)
Our last station—병원 or a hospital, a place that sounds remarkably less intimidating once we know what it’s called! Byeong-won, the place where magic happens; babies are born, miracles are welcomed, and 행복 (happiness) is served in cute, tiny bundles.
Learn The Korean Language With Ling
Whew, what a journey we’ve embarked on together! We hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into the Korean world of pregnancy and birth. Perhaps you’ve already tried out these words during a friendly conversation, or maybe you’re waiting for the perfect time to surprise your Korean friends (or even that person across the aisle on your next Seoul-bound flight!).
Remember, repeating these words, absorbing their sounds, and understanding the beautiful stories they paint, are all part of the process. But hey, don’t quit just yet. We’ve only scratched the surface of the iceberg that is the Korean language.
So, what’s next? You ask. Does your journey toward mastering Korean pregnancy words end here?
Absolutely not! If this riveting Korean journey has stirred the language enthusiast in you, there’s more in store! Have you heard of the Ling app? It’s a fantastic tool for all the language learners out there. Equipped with a vast library of Korean words, phrases, and even letters, it allows you to practice pronunciation, learn common terms, and even track your progress over time.
Not just that, get ready to explore topics beyond pregnancy in Korean. Whether it’s about the wonders of family, the nuances of due dates, or the different ways to call a mother in Korean, the Ling app has got you covered. Download it from the App Store or Play Store now to get started!
