How do you say "cat" in Korean?

How do you say "cat" in Korean? - briefly

In Korean, the word for "cat" is "고양이" (goyangi). This term is widely recognized and used throughout Korea.

How do you say "cat" in Korean? - in detail

In Korean, the word for "cat" is "고양이" (goyangi). This term is composed of two characters: "고" (go), which means "high," and "양" (yang), which translates to "sheep." Together, they form the word "고양이," reflecting a historical connection to sheep-like characteristics that cats were once believed to possess. It's important to note that in Korean phonetics, the vowel sound in "go" is pronounced similar to the English "o" in "open," and the vowel in "yang" is closer to the "a" in "father." Therefore, the correct pronunciation of "고양이" sounds more like "goyahngi." This term is universally understood across Korea and is used in both formal and informal contexts.