Peonies are beloved flowers known for their large, beautiful blooms and delightful fragrance. This guide will teach you how to say “peony” in Korean, along with related vocabulary and useful phrases for discussing these stunning flowers, whether you’re admiring them in a garden, buying a bouquet, or simply talking about floral preferences.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 작약
Pronunciation: jak-yak
Meaning: Peony
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 작약 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like peonies. -
Expression: 작약이 피었어요.
Pronunciation: jak-ya-gi pi-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The peonies have bloomed. -
Expression: 이것은 작약이에요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun jak-ya-gi-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this a peony? -
Expression: 작약 한 다발 주세요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak han da-bal ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a bunch of peonies. -
Expression: 작약은 아름다운 꽃이에요.
Pronunciation: jak-ya-geun a-reum-da-un kko-chi-e-yo.
Meaning: Peonies are beautiful flowers. -
Expression: 정원에 작약이 많아요.
Pronunciation: jeong-wo-ne jak-ya-gi ma-na-yo.
Meaning: There are many peonies in the garden. -
Expression: 작약 향기가 좋아요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak hyang-gi-ga jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The scent of peonies is nice. -
Expression: 작약 꽃을 선물하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak kko-cheul seon-mul-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to gift peony flowers. -
Expression: 작약은 봄에 펴요.
Pronunciation: jak-ya-geun bo-me pyeo-yo.
Meaning: Peonies bloom in the spring. -
Expression: 어떤 색 작약을 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon saek jak-ya-geul jo-a-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What color peonies do you like? -
Expression: 작약 그림을 그리고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak geu-ri-meul geu-ri-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am drawing a picture of peonies. -
Expression: 작약 축제에 가봤어요?
Pronunciation: jak-yak chuk-je-e ga-bwa-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Have you been to a peony festival?
Useful Expressions
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Expression: 이 작약은 무슨 색이에요?
Pronunciation: i jak-ya-geun mu-seun sae-gi-e-yo?
Meaning: What color is this peony? -
Expression: 작약의 계절은 언제예요?
Pronunciation: jak-ya-gui gye-jeo-reun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is peony season? -
Expression: 작약 향기가 정말 진하네요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak hyang-gi-ga jeong-mal jin-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The scent of peonies is really strong. -
Expression: 작약을 어떻게 관리해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jak-ya-geul eo-tteo-ke gwal-li-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I care for peonies? -
Expression: 분홍색 작약으로 부케를 만들어 주세요.
Pronunciation: bun-hong-saek jak-ya-geu-ro bu-ke-reul man-deu-reo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make a bouquet with pink peonies. -
Expression: 작약은 부귀를 상징한다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: jak-ya-geun bu-gwi-reul sang-jing-han-da-go deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard that peonies symbolize wealth and honor. -
Expression: 작약 뿌리는 약재로도 쓰여요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak ppu-ri-neun yak-jae-ro-do sseu-yeo-yo.
Meaning: Peony roots are also used as medicinal herbs. -
Expression: 결혼식 부케로 작약을 많이 사용해요.
Pronunciation: gyeo-ron-sik bu-ke-ro jak-ya-geul ma-ni sa-yong-hae-yo.
Meaning: Peonies are often used for wedding bouquets. -
Expression: 작약 꽃잎이 아주 풍성해요.
Pronunciation: jak-yak kkon-ni-pi a-ju pung-seong-hae-yo.
Meaning: The peony petals are very abundant/full. -
Expression: 흰색 작약은 청초한 느낌을 줘요.
Pronunciation: hin-saek jak-ya-geun cheong-cho-han neu-kki-meul jwo-yo.
Meaning: White peonies give a pure and elegant feeling. -
Expression: 작약은 모란과 비슷하게 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: jak-ya-geun mo-ran-gwa bi-seu-ta-ge saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Peonies look similar to tree peonies (Mudan). -
Expression: 작약이 만개한 정원은 정말 장관이에요.
Pronunciation: jak-ya-gi man-gae-han jeong-wo-neun jeong-mal jang-gwa-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: A garden where peonies are in full bloom is truly a magnificent sight.
Describing Peonies
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Expression: 작약 꽃잎이 풍성하다
Pronunciation: jak-yak kkon-ni-pi pung-seong-ha-da
Meaning: Peony petals are abundant/full -
Expression: 작약 향기가 달콤하다
Pronunciation: jak-yak hyang-gi-ga dal-kom-ha-da
Meaning: The scent of peonies is sweet -
Expression: 분홍색 작약
Pronunciation: bun-hong-saek jak-yak
Meaning: Pink peony -
Expression: 흰색 작약
Pronunciation: hin-saek jak-yak
Meaning: White peony -
Expression: 붉은색 작약
Pronunciation: bul-geun-saek jak-yak
Meaning: Red peony -
Expression: 우아한 작약
Pronunciation: u-a-han jak-yak
Meaning: Elegant peony -
Expression: 화려한 작약
Pronunciation: hwa-ryeo-han jak-yak
Meaning: Gorgeous/splendid peony -
Expression: 싱싱한 작약
Pronunciation: sing-sing-han jak-yak
Meaning: Fresh peony -
Expression: 작약 봉오리
Pronunciation: jak-yak bong-o-ri
Meaning: Peony bud -
Expression: 활짝 핀 작약
Pronunciation: hwal-jjak pin jak-yak
Meaning: Fully bloomed peony -
Expression: 탐스러운 작약
Pronunciation: tam-seu-reo-un jak-yak
Meaning: Luscious/voluptuous peony -
Expression: 홑겹 작약 / 겹꽃 작약
Pronunciation: hot-gyeop jak-yak / gyeop-kkot jak-yak
Meaning: Single-petal peony / Double-petal peony
Cultural Tips
In Korea, the peony (작약 – jak-yak) is highly regarded and often called the “king of flowers” alongside the tree peony (모란 – mo-ran). While botanically different, they share cultural significance.
Peonies traditionally symbolize wealth, honor, nobility, and feminine beauty. Their large, lush blooms are seen as auspicious.
You’ll often find peony motifs in traditional Korean paintings (민화 – min-hwa), folding screens (병풍 – byeong-pung), and embroidery on clothing or household items, representing wishes for prosperity and happiness.
Peonies bloom in late spring to early summer (around May and June) in Korea, and visiting gardens or attending flower festivals during this time is a popular activity.
Giving peonies as a gift can convey respect and wishes for good fortune, making them suitable for various celebrations, though they are particularly popular for weddings and housewarmings.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer is buying flowers at a flower shop during peony season.
Roles: A: Customer, B: Florist (꽃집 주인 – kkot-jip ju-in)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 작약 좀 보러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jak-yak jom bo-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I came to look at some peonies. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요! 마침 오늘 예쁜 작약이 많이 들어왔어요. 어떤 색 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo! ma-chim o-neul ye-ppeun jak-ya-gi ma-ni deu-reo-wa-sseo-yo. eo-tteon saek jo-a-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome! We just got many pretty peonies in today. What color do you like? -
Expression: A: 분홍색이랑 흰색 작약이 예쁘네요. 향기도 정말 좋아요.
Pronunciation: A: bun-hong-sae-gi-rang hin-saek jak-ya-gi ye-ppeu-ne-yo. hyang-gi-do jeong-mal jo-a-yo.
Meaning: A: The pink and white peonies are pretty. The scent is really nice too. -
Expression: B: 그렇죠? 작약은 모습도 화려하고 향도 좋아서 인기가 많아요. 선물하실 건가요?
Pronunciation: B: geu-reo-cho? jak-ya-geun mo-seup-do hwa-ryeo-ha-go hyang-do jo-a-seo in-gi-ga ma-na-yo. seon-mul-ha-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Right? Peonies are popular because they look gorgeous and smell good. Are you buying them as a gift? -
Expression: A: 네, 친구 집들이 선물로요. 분홍색 작약으로 다섯 송이만 포장해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, chin-gu jip-deu-ri seon-mul-lo-yo. bun-hong-saek jak-ya-geu-ro da-seot song-i-man po-jang-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, for a friend’s housewarming gift. Could you wrap up five stems of pink peonies? -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 예쁘게 포장해 드릴게요. 작약은 물을 자주 갈아주시면 더 오래 볼 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. ye-ppeu-ge po-jang-hae deu-ril-ge-yo. jak-ya-geun mu-reul ja-ju ga-ra-ju-si-myeon deo o-rae bol su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I understand. I’ll wrap them beautifully for you. If you change the water often, you can enjoy the peonies longer.
Practice Tips
Now you know how to talk about peonies (작약 – jak-yak) in Korean! Try visiting a local flower shop (꽃집 – kkot-jip) or market (꽃시장 – kkot-si-jang) during late spring or early summer~ See if you can spot the peonies and practice describing their colors and scent using the phrases you learned. You could even try ordering a small bouquet! Practice makes perfect, so keep using these expressions! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
