Suh ChangWhoon
Written by 서 창훈, a certified Korean teacher with 14+ years of experience in Japan. He previously worked as a government officer, cybersecurity consultant, and English interpreter. Today, he teaches Korean in real classrooms without complex grammar explanations — instead, he trains students’ brains to speak naturally. His unique method is now the foundation of all his Korean courses.
Table of Contents
Learning a new language is not just about grammar. It is also about words that connect to your life. Clothes, food, and family words are important. But jewelry is also fun to learn! Many people wear rings, necklaces, bracelets, or earrings every day.
In this blog post, we will learn how to say jewelry in Korean, and also how to say bracelet, ring, necklace, and earrings in Korean. The Korean words are simple, and I will give you easy example sentences you can practice.
Jewelry in Korean
The word for jewelry in Korean is 보석 (bo-seok) or 장신구 (jang-shin-gu).
보석 = jewel, gem, fine jewelry
장신구 = accessories, decorations (more general)
Both are used in Korea. 보석 usually means expensive jewelry like diamonds or gold. 장신구 means accessories in daily life.
Original Korean Sentence
친구가 보석 가게에서 일해요.
Pronunciation Guide
친구가 (chin-gu-ga) 보석 (bo-seok) 가게에서 (ga-ge-e-seo) 일해요 (il-hae-yo).
Meaning and Context
친구 (friend) 가 (subject marker; I’m going to talk about my friend) 보석 (jewelry) 가게 (store) 에서 (at) 일해요 (polite ending; work).
English Translation
Friend work at jewelry store.
Literal Translation
My friend works at a jewelry store.
In Korean culture, jewelry is more than just decoration. It is often a gift for special days like birthdays, anniversaries, or even Valentine’s Day.
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Bracelet in Korean
The Korean word for bracelet is 팔찌 (pal-jji).
The word 팔 means “arm,” so 팔찌 is jewelry you wear on your arm!
If you’re ever in Korea and want to buy a bracelet, just ask for 팔찌. Now you know how to say bracelet in Korean!
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Original Korean Sentence
팔찌가 작아요.
Pronunciation Guide
팔찌가 (pal-jji-ga) 작아요 (ja-ga-yo).
Meaning and Context
팔찌 (bracelet) 가 (subject marker) 작 (to be small) 아요 (is; I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
The bracelet is small.
Literal Translation
Bracelet is small.
Bracelets are often given as gifts between friends. In Korea, friendship bracelets are popular among young people.
Ring in Korean
The Korean word for ring is 반지 (ban-ji).
If you want to buy a ring in Korea, just ask for 반지. Now you know how to say ring in Korean too!
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Original Korean Sentence
나는 반지를 샀어요.
Pronunciation Guide
나는 (na-neun) 반지를 (ban-ji-reul) 샀어요 (sa-sseo-yo).
Meaning and Context
나 (I; in a casual way) 는 (topic marker; as for me..) 반지 (ring) 를 (object marker; a ring is the object of the action) 사 (to buy) 았 (past tense) 어요 (polite ending).
English Translation
I bought a ring.
Literal Translation
I bought ring.
In Korea, couple rings are very famous. Dating couples often wear matching rings to show their love, even before marriage.
Necklace in Korean
The word for necklace is 목걸이 (mok-geo-li).
목 = neck
걸이 = something that hangs
So 목걸이 means “something that hangs on the neck.”
Original Korean Sentence
아빠가 엄마에게 목걸이를 줬어요.
Pronunciation Guide
아빠가 (a-bba-ga) 엄마에게 (eom-ma-e-ge) 목걸이를 (mok-geo-ri-reul) 줬어요 (jwot-sseo-yo).
Meaning and Context
아빠 (dad) 가 (subject marker) 엄마 (mom) 에게 (to) 목걸이 (necklace) 를 (object marker) 줬 (gave) 어요 (polite ending).
English Translation
Dad gave Mom a necklace.
Literal Translation
Dad gave necklace to mom.
Necklaces are often seen in Korean dramas. A necklace gift is a popular romantic scene between couples.
Earrings in Korean
The word for earrings is 귀걸이 (gwi-geo-li).
귀 = ear
걸이 = something that hangs
So 귀걸이 means “something that hangs on the ear.”
Original Korean Sentence
나는 귀걸이를 해요.
Pronunciation Guide
나는 (na-neun) 귀걸이를 (gwi-geo-li-reul) 해요 (hae-yo).
Meaning and Context
나는 (I) 귀걸이를 (earrings) 해요 (do).
English Translation
I wear earrings.
Literal Translation
I do earrings.
Many Korean celebrities and K-pop idols wear unique earrings. This makes earrings very popular among young people in Korea.
How to Remember Jewelry Words in Korean
Here are some simple tips to remember these words:
Look at the word parts.
귀 (ear) + 걸이 (hang) → 귀걸이 (earrings)
목 (neck) + 걸이 (hang) → 목걸이 (necklace)
팔 (arm) → 팔찌 (bracelet)
Say it while wearing jewelry.
When you put on a ring, say:
“나는 반지를 해요.” (I wear a ring.)
Practice with friends.
Ask your friend:
“팔찌 좋아해요?” (Do you like bracelets?)
Make it personal.
Think of your mom’s necklace, your dad’s watch, or your own earrings. Connect the word to someone you know.
Jewelry in Korean Culture
Jewelry has a big role in Korean culture:
Couple Rings (커플 반지): Young couples buy matching rings to show they are dating.
Family Gifts: Necklaces and bracelets are given on birthdays or weddings.
K-pop and Fashion: Idols often wear bold earrings and necklaces, starting new fashion trends.
In Korea, jewelry is not only about beauty. It also shows love, friendship, and identity.
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Original Korean Sentence
사자가 코끼리를 잡아요.
Pronunciation Guide
사자가 (sa-ja-ga) 코끼리를 (ko-ggi-ri-reul) 자바요 (ja-ba-yo).
English Translation
The lion catches the elephant.
Literal Translation
Lion catch elephant.
Quick Reference
사자가 (lion) 코끼리를 (elephant) 잡아요 (catch).
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Meaning and Context
사자 (lion)
→ The lion — the one taking action now in the story.
가 (subject marker)
→ Points out that the lion is doing the action.
코끼리 (elephant)
→ The one the action is done to.
를 (object marker)
→ Shows that the elephant is the object being caught.
잡 (to catch, grab, take)
→ The action — the lion catches or grabs the elephant.
아요 (polite ending)
→ I’m telling you this in a polite and friendly way.
Real-Life Usage
잡아요 is common when talking about catching or holding something.
Pattern Practice
1. 사자가 토끼를 잡아요.
2. 고양이가 쥐를 잡아요.
3. 아이가 공을 잡아요.
4. 강아지가 공을 잡았어요.
FAQs (What You Might Still Wonder About)
1. ❓ Is “bracelet in Korean” used in K-pop songs or dramas?
Yes! The word 팔찌 (pal-jji) often appears in Korean dramas and K-pop lyrics as a symbol of friendship or love. Fans sometimes exchange bracelets as a way to connect with their favorite idols.
2. ❓ What is the difference between “ring in Korean” and “couple ring”?
The general word for ring in Korean is 반지 (ban-ji). A couple ring (커플 반지) is a special type of ring that dating couples wear together, even if they are not married.
3. ❓ Are Korean necklace designs different from Western ones?
The word for necklace in Korean is 목걸이 (mok-geol-i). Korean necklace designs often feature minimalist styles or symbols from nature, like flowers or stars. They are usually lighter and more delicate compared to some Western jewelry.
4. ❓ Do Korean men wear earrings in daily life?
Yes, many Korean men wear 귀걸이 (gwi-geol-i, earrings). It’s very common among K-pop idols and actors. Earrings in Korean culture are not just for women—they are part of fashion for everyone.
5. ❓ Can I use jewelry words in Korean when shopping online?
Absolutely. Many Korean online stores list products under these words:
보석 (jewelry)
팔찌 (bracelet)
반지 (ring)
목걸이 (necklace)
귀걸이 (earrings)
Typing these into Korean shopping sites will help you find the items you want.
6. ❓ What is a polite way to compliment jewelry in Korean?
If you want to say someone’s jewelry is beautiful, you can say:
보석이 예뻐요! (The jewelry is pretty!)
목걸이가 잘 어울려요. (The necklace suits you well.)
This is a polite way to talk about jewelry in Korean culture.
Final words
Now you know how to say jewelry in Korean: 보석 or 장신구. You also learned four common jewelry words:
bracelet in Korean = 팔찌
ring in Korean = 반지
necklace in Korean = 목걸이
earrings in Korean = 귀걸이
These words are simple but very useful. You can use them in daily conversations, or when talking about fashion, shopping, or even K-pop.
Learning Korean can feel hard, but starting with fun topics makes it easier. Jewelry words are a great way to connect language with real life. Practice a little every day, and soon you will remember them without effort.
