물
mul
/mul/
Definition
Water; the clear liquid that falls as rain, fills rivers and oceans, and is essential for life.
Example
날씨가 더우니까 물을 많이 마시세요.
Show translation
Because the weather is hot, please drink a lot of water.
Etymology
물 (mul) is a native Korean word (고유어) with roots in Old Korean *mir or *mul, related to Altaic and proto-Korean words for water. It appears in early Korean texts such as 훈민정음 (Hunminjeongeum, 1446) and has cognates in some proposed Altaic language families. The word has remained virtually unchanged for centuries, reflecting how central water has been to Korean civilization.
Cultural note
Water holds deep symbolic meaning in Korean culture. The phrase 물 흐르듯 ("like flowing water") describes something done smoothly and naturally. Koreans traditionally valued 명수 (clear, famous spring water) from specific mountain sources, and many folk remedies center on drinking specific types of water. Note: 물 is a false friend to be aware of — it does not sound like English "mole" or "mull," and its short, crisp pronunciation is important since Korean distinguishes vowel length in some registers.