📖 Words A2 ✓ Native Reviewed

소녀

sonyeo

girl / young girl

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What it means

소녀 means a young girl — poetic and slightly literary. Famous through 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation), one of K-pop's legendary girl groups. 소년 = boy. 소녀 = girl.

Nuance & when to use

소녀 is more literary and poetic than 여자아이 (female child) or 여자애 (girl, colloquial). 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation) made 소녀 iconic globally. 소녀 감성 = girlish sensibility. 영원한 소녀 = an eternal girl (someone who keeps their youthful spirit).

⚠ Common mistake

소녀 (girl) ≠ 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation). 소녀시대 is the group name; 소녀 alone means girl.

Example sentences

소녀시대 팬이에요. Sonyeosiidae paenieyeo. I'm a Girls' Generation fan.
그녀는 소녀 감성이에요. Geonyeoneun sonyeo gamseongieyo. She has a youthful, girlish sensibility.
어린 소녀가 춤을 춰요. Eorin sonyeoga chumeul chwoyo. A young girl is dancing.

See also

소년 여자 아이
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
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More A2 lessons

헐 heol OMG / no way (interjection) -아/어 보다 -a/eo boda Try doing something -고 싶다 -go sipda To want to (do)
← 설날 스트레스 →

FAQ

When is this used?

소녀 is more literary and poetic than 여자아이 (female child) or 여자애 (girl, colloquial). 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation) made 소녀 iconic globally. 소녀 감성 = girlish sensibility. 영원한 소녀 = an eternal girl (someone who keeps their youthful spirit).

What's a common mistake?

소녀 (girl) ≠ 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation). 소녀시대 is the group name; 소녀 alone means girl.

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