Lost Your K-Pop Merch? Describe Its Shape in Korean!
Hello! It’s your favorite Korean teacher from Maeil Hangul here to level up your Korean skills!
Have you ever lost something important while traveling in Korea? It can be scary, but knowing how to describe your lost item is a superpower! Today, we’re going to learn how to describe shapes, specifically squares and circles.
And guess what? This is super timely! The new hit Netflix animation, “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” is all the rage in Korea. The story is about a K-pop group with a secret identity, and just like them, many everyday objects have a basic “identity” based on their shape. Learning these words will not only help you find your lost wallet but also let you talk about the cool animation style of the show! Let’s get started!
Core Expressions: Let’s Talk Shapes!
Here are the essential words you need to describe the shape of an item.
1. 네모나다 (ne-mo-na-da)
* Pronunciation: [ne-mo-na-da]
* English Meaning: To be square
* Detailed Explanation: This is a descriptive verb (an adjective) used to say something is square. When you want to describe a noun, like a “square bag,” you change it to 네모난 (ne-mo-nan). It’s perfect for describing things like books, phones, or wallets.
2. 동그랗다 (dong-geu-ra-ta)
* Pronunciation: [dong-geu-ra-ta]
* English Meaning: To be round / circular
* Detailed Explanation: This adjective means something is round. To describe a “round mirror,” you change it to 동그란 (dong-geu-ran). Think of things like coins, plates, or a full moon!
3. – 모양 (mo-yang)
* Pronunciation: [mo-yang]
* English Meaning: Shape / a shape of…
* Detailed Explanation: This is a noun that means “shape.” You can attach it to shape words to be more specific. For example, 네모 모양 (ne-mo mo-yang) means “a square shape” and 동그라미 모양 (dong-geu-ra-mi mo-yang) means “a circle shape.” It’s super useful!
* Example: 제 지갑은 네모 모양이에요. (Je ji-gab-eun ne-mo mo-yang-i-e-yo.) -> My wallet is a square shape.
Example Dialogue: At the Lost & Found
Let’s see how these words work in a real conversation. Imagine you lost your pouch after watching a movie!
A: 저기요, 죄송한데… 가방을 잃어버렸어요.
(Jeo-gi-yo, joe-song-han-de… ga-bang-eul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.)
(Excuse me, I’m sorry but… I lost my bag.)
B: 아, 그래요? 어떻게 생겼어요?
(A, geu-rae-yo? Eo-tteo-ke saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo?)
(Oh, really? What does it look like?)
A: 파란색 네모난 파우치예요. 그리고 동그란 ‘케이팝 데몬 헌터스’ 키링이 달려 있어요.
(Pa-ran-saek ne-mo-nan pa-u-chi-ye-yo. Geu-ri-go dong-geu-ran ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ ki-ring-i dal-lyeo i-sseo-yo.)
(It’s a blue, square pouch. And it has a round ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ keychain on it.)
B: 알겠습니다. 잠시만요, 확인해 볼게요.
(Al-get-seum-ni-da. Jam-si-man-yo, hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.)
(I see. One moment, I will check for you.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In the hit animation “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” the blend of K-pop and mythology is visually stunning. The creators masterfully use shapes to convey different feelings. The sharp, intense demon-fighting scenes feel very 네모난 (ne-mo-nan)—full of hard angles and dynamic action. In contrast, the K-pop dance sequences are fluid and graceful, full of 동그란 (dong-geu-ran) movements.
This use of shapes is also huge in K-pop merchandise! Photocards are almost always 네모난 (ne-mo-nan), while logos, buttons, or light sticks often feature a 동그란 (dong-geu-ran) design. So, when you describe your lost K-pop merch, knowing these words will make you sound like a true fan and a pro Korean speaker!
Let’s Wrap It Up & Practice!
Great job, everyone! Today we learned how to describe square and round shapes with 네모나다 and 동그랗다. These simple words are incredibly powerful for describing lost items, your favorite K-pop goods, and even the cool animation you’re watching!
Now, it’s your turn to practice!
- Fill in the blank: A Korean coin is round. -> 한국 동전은 _________. (Hint: Use the adjective form of “to be round”.)
- Make a sentence: How would you describe your phone? Is it
네모나요?
Leave your answers in the comments below! I can’t wait to see you use your new Korean skills. See you next time
