북

Korean

Pronunciation

• IPA: puk̚
• Phonetic hangul: 북

Romanization

Revised	buk
McCune–Reischauer	puk	Yale	pwuk

Etymology 1

First recorded in the Seokbo sangjeol, 1447, as 붚 (bup), likely cognate with 부풀다 (bupulda, “to fluff, popple, bubble, bulge”).

Noun

북 (buk)

1. a generic term meaning "drum"
2. a traditional Korean double-headed barrel-shaped drum, played with one hand and one stick, and used in Korean folk music

Etymology 2

First recorded in the Hunmong jahoe, 1527, as 북.

Noun

북 (buk)

1. a shuttle (used in weaving and sewing machines)

Etymology 3

Of uncertain origin. Perhaps cognate with the above Etymology 1 and 2 in the sense of bulge.

Noun

북 (buk)

1. soil heap (around roots)

Etymology 4

Reading of the hanja 北.

Noun

북 (buk)

1. north

Related terms

• 동 (東, dong) east
• 서 (西, seo) west
• 남 (南, nam) south