Etymology
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Sino-Korean word from 美國, 米國.[note 1] First attested in the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation [1882] as 大美國 (literally “grand beautiful country”).
Pronunciation
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| Romanizations |
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| Revised Romanization? | Miguk |
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| Revised Romanization (translit.)? | Migug |
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| McCune–Reischauer? | Miguk |
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| Yale Romanization? | mikwuk |
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Proper noun
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미국 • (Miguk) (hanja 美國, 米國)[note 1]
- United States of America (a country in North America)
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 米國 was used during the Japanese colonial period, presumably from Japanese 米国. After WWII, South Korea reverted to 美國 (literally “beautiful country”), while North Korea continues to use 米國 (literally “rice country”), perhaps reflecting differing political attitudes towards the USA.
Synonyms
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- 미합중국 (美合衆國, Mihapjungguk, “United States of America”)
- 아메리카 (Amerika, “America”)
- 며리계 (弥里界, Myeorigye) (obsolete)
- 미리견 (彌利堅, Mirigyeon) (obsolete)
Derived terms
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- 미국군 (美國軍, migukgun, “The US Army, the US military”)
- 미국령 (美國領, migungnyeong, “US territory”)
- 미국사람 (美國—, miguksaram, “An American (person)”)
- 미국영어 (美國英語, migugyeong'eo, “American English”)
- 미국오리 (美國—, migugori, “American black duck”)
- 미국인 (美國人, migugin, “An American (person)”)
