This guide focuses on the Korean term 유아 (yu-a), meaning infant or toddler, and provides essential vocabulary and phrases for discussing young children, childcare, and related topics in Korean. You’ll learn how to describe toddlers, interact with them, and understand cultural nuances surrounding early childhood in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This section introduces the main term for infant or toddler.
- Expression: 유아
Pronunciation: yu-a
Meaning: Infant, toddler (typically refers to children aged 1-6 years old, often used in formal contexts like education or childcare settings).
Basic Vocabulary for Young Children
Here are fundamental words related to infants and toddlers.
-
Expression: 아기
Pronunciation: a-gi
Meaning: Baby (generally younger than ‘유아’) -
Expression: 어린이
Pronunciation: eo-rin-i
Meaning: Child (general term, often implies elementary school age or younger) -
Expression: 아이
Pronunciation: a-i
Meaning: Child (common, versatile term for baby, toddler, or young child) -
Expression: 부모님
Pronunciation: bu-mo-nim
Meaning: Parents (honorific) -
Expression: 엄마
Pronunciation: eom-ma
Meaning: Mom -
Expression: 아빠
Pronunciation: a-ppa
Meaning: Dad -
Expression: 장난감
Pronunciation: jang-nan-gam
Meaning: Toy -
Expression: 기저귀
Pronunciation: gi-jeo-gwi
Meaning: Diaper -
Expression: 유모차
Pronunciation: yu-mo-cha
Meaning: Stroller / Pram -
Expression: 우유
Pronunciation: u-yu
Meaning: Milk -
Expression: 이유식
Pronunciation: i-yu-sik
Meaning: Baby food -
Expression: 낮잠
Pronunciation: nat-jam
Meaning: Nap
Describing Infants and Toddlers
Use these verbs and adjectives to describe young children’s actions and characteristics.
-
Expression: 귀엽다
Pronunciation: gwi-yeop-da
Meaning: To be cute -
Expression: 울다
Pronunciation: ul-da
Meaning: To cry -
Expression: 웃다
Pronunciation: ut-da
Meaning: To laugh, To smile -
Expression: 자다
Pronunciation: ja-da
Meaning: To sleep -
Expression: 먹다
Pronunciation: meok-da
Meaning: To eat -
Expression: 놀다
Pronunciation: nol-da
Meaning: To play -
Expression: 걷다
Pronunciation: geot-da
Meaning: To walk -
Expression: 말하다
Pronunciation: mal-ha-da
Meaning: To speak, To talk -
Expression: 기어 다니다
Pronunciation: gi-eo da-ni-da
Meaning: To crawl -
Expression: 건강하다
Pronunciation: geon-gang-ha-da
Meaning: To be healthy -
Expression: 활발하다
Pronunciation: hwal-bal-ha-da
Meaning: To be active, lively -
Expression: 조용하다
Pronunciation: jo-yong-ha-da
Meaning: To be quiet
Phrases for Interacting with Young Children
These are practical sentences for communication related to toddlers.
-
Expression: 아기가 울어요.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ga u-reo-yo.
Meaning: The baby is crying. -
Expression: 아이가 웃고 있어요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga ut-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The child is laughing/smiling. -
Expression: 유아가 낮잠을 자고 있어요.
Pronunciation: yu-a-ga nat-jam-eul ja-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The toddler is taking a nap. -
Expression: 이 장난감 좋아해요?
Pronunciation: i jang-nan-gam jo-a-hae-yo?
Meaning: Do you (or does the child) like this toy? -
Expression: 우유 마실래요?
Pronunciation: u-yu ma-sil-lae-yo?
Meaning: Do you want to drink milk? -
Expression: 기저귀 갈아야 해요.
Pronunciation: gi-jeo-gwi ga-ra-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: The diaper needs changing. / We need to change the diaper. -
Expression: 같이 놀자!
Pronunciation: ga-chi nol-ja!
Meaning: Let’s play together! (casual) -
Expression: 조심하세요!
Pronunciation: jo-sim-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Be careful! (polite) -
Expression: 아이가 몇 살이에요?
Pronunciation: a-i-ga myeot sal-i-e-yo?
Meaning: How old is the child? -
Expression: 아이가 정말 귀엽네요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga jeong-mal gwi-yeom-ne-yo.
Meaning: The child is really cute. -
Expression: 유모차를 밀고 가요.
Pronunciation: yu-mo-cha-reul mil-go ga-yo.
Meaning: I’m pushing the stroller. -
Expression: 아이에게 책을 읽어주고 있어요.
Pronunciation: a-i-e-ge chaek-eul il-geo-ju-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am reading a book to the child.
Related Places and Activities
Vocabulary for places and common activities involving toddlers.
-
Expression: 어린이집
Pronunciation: eo-rin-i-jip
Meaning: Daycare center / Nursery school -
Expression: 유치원
Pronunciation: yu-chi-won
Meaning: Kindergarten -
Expression: 놀이터
Pronunciation: no-ri-teo
Meaning: Playground -
Expression: 키즈 카페
Pronunciation: ki-jeu ka-pe
Meaning: Kids cafe (indoor playground cafe) -
Expression: 소아과
Pronunciation: so-a-gwa
Meaning: Pediatrics clinic -
Expression: 예방 접종
Pronunciation: ye-bang jeop-jong
Meaning: Vaccination / Immunization -
Expression: 육아
Pronunciation: yuk-a
Meaning: Childcare / Parenting -
Expression: 산책하다
Pronunciation: san-chaek-ha-da
Meaning: To take a walk -
Expression: 아이를 돌보다
Pronunciation: a-i-reul dol-bo-da
Meaning: To take care of a child / To look after a child -
Expression: 유아용품
Pronunciation: yu-a-yong-pum
Meaning: Baby products / Toddler supplies -
Expression: 장난감 가게
Pronunciation: jang-nan-gam ga-ge
Meaning: Toy store -
Expression: 유아 교육
Pronunciation: yu-a gyo-yuk
Meaning: Early childhood education
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can provide better context when discussing young children in Korea.
* Age Counting: Traditionally, Koreans use a system where a baby is considered one year old at birth and gains a year every January 1st. While international age is now standard for official purposes, Korean age is still common in daily conversation, especially among older generations. When asking a child’s age (몇 살이에요? – myeot sal-i-e-yo?), you might receive their Korean age.
* Early Education: There’s a strong emphasis on early education. 어린이집 (eo-rin-i-jip) caters to younger children (infants to preschoolers), while 유치원 (yu-chi-won) is typically for ages 3-5 (international age) before elementary school. Many children attend one or both.
* Kids Cafes (키즈 카페 – ki-jeu ka-pe): These indoor playgrounds combined with cafes are extremely popular. They offer a safe and stimulating environment for toddlers and young children to play, especially during bad weather or when outdoor space is limited, while parents can relax nearby.
* Compliments: It’s very common and considered polite to compliment someone’s child, especially by saying 귀엽다 (gwi-yeop-da) – “cute.” Don’t be surprised if strangers comment positively on your child’s appearance or behavior.
* Parenting (육아 – yuk-a): Parenting is a significant topic. While traditionally falling more on mothers, societal views are changing. Discussions often revolve around balancing work and childcare, educational choices, and finding support.
Real Conversation Example
This dialogue illustrates how the vocabulary might be used in a natural setting.
* Situation: Two parents, Jihye and Minho, meet at a playground while their toddlers are playing.
* Role A: Jihye (Sumin’s mother)
* Role B: Minho (Hajun’s father)
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 아이가 참 활발하네요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. a-i-ga cham hwal-bal-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: Hello. Your child is very active. -
Expression: B: 아, 네, 안녕하세요. 에너지가 넘쳐요. 따님도 정말 귀여운데요?
Pronunciation: a, ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. e-neo-ji-ga neom-cheo-yo. tta-nim-do jeong-mal gwi-yeo-un-de-yo?
Meaning: Ah, yes, hello. He’s full of energy. Your daughter is really cute too! -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 저희 아이 이름은 수민이에요. 혹시 아이가 몇 살이에요?
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jeo-hui a-i i-reum-eun su-min-i-e-yo. hok-si a-i-ga myeot sal-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Thank you. My child’s name is Sumin. If you don’t mind me asking, how old is your child? -
Expression: B: 하준이는 세 살이에요. 수민이는요?
Pronunciation: ha-jun-i-neun se sal-i-e-yo. su-min-i-neun-yo?
Meaning: Hajun is three years old. How about Sumin? -
Expression: A: 수민이도 세 살이에요. 동갑내기 친구네요! 어린이집 다니나요?
Pronunciation: su-min-i-do se sal-i-e-yo. dong-gam-nae-gi chin-gu-ne-yo! eo-rin-i-jip da-ni-na-yo?
Meaning: Sumin is also three years old. They’re the same age! Does he attend daycare? -
Expression: B: 네, 근처 어린이집에 다녀요. 수민이도요?
Pronunciation: ne, geun-cheo eo-rin-i-jip-e da-nyeo-yo. su-min-i-do-yo?
Meaning: Yes, he goes to a nearby daycare center. Does Sumin too? -
Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 아이들이 같이 노는 모습 보니까 좋네요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. a-i-deul-i ga-chi no-neun mo-seup bo-ni-kka jon-ne-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. It’s nice seeing the children play together. -
Expression: B: 그러게요. 여기 놀이터가 유아들이 놀기 좋은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ge-yo. yeo-gi no-ri-teo-ga yu-a-deul-i nol-gi jo-eun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I agree. This playground seems good for toddlers to play at.
Practice Tips
Ready to use these words and phrases? Here are some ways to practice!~
* Try labeling items around you related to children: 유모차 (yu-mo-cha), 장난감 (jang-nan-gam), 책 (chaek).
* Watch Korean parenting vlogs or children’s shows on YouTube – listen for familiar words!
* Describe pictures of children using adjectives like 귀엽다 (gwi-yeop-da) or 활발하다 (hwal-bal-ha-da).
* Practice asking and answering 아이가 몇 살이에요? (a-i-ga myeot sal-i-e-yo?).
* Don’t forget pronunciation! Say the words aloud, focusing on the syllable breaks: 어-린-이-집 (eo-rin-i-jip), 유-아 (yu-a).
Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable talking about infants and toddlers in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
