How Do You Say Burger King in Korean?
10-Second Answer
Burger King is 버거킹 (beogeoking) in Korean. "Burger" reshapes more than "King" does — King happens to fit Korean syllable rules almost as-is, while Burger needs its "r" sounds converted and a vowel inserted to close the syllable.
Sound by Sound
| English | Korean piece | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bur- | 버 (beo) | The English "r" after a vowel isn't pronounced as a consonant in Korean — it just colors the vowel, similar to how some English accents drop "r" too |
| -ger | 거 (geo) | Same pattern — the "r" doesn't get its own separate sound |
| King | 킹 (king) | This one needs almost no adjustment — "ng" is a legal Korean syllable ending (ㅇ batchim) |
"King" is a great example of why NOT every loanword gets heavily reshaped — when an English word's sounds already fit Korean's rules, the Korean version stays close to the original.
Quick Examples
버거킹에서 먹자.
beogeoking-eseo meokja.
Let's eat at Burger King.
버거 하나 주세요.
beogeo hana juseyo.
One burger, please.
버거 (beogeo) alone is the general Korean word for "burger," used well beyond just this brand.
버거: A Generic Word, Not Just a Brand Piece
Unlike 맥날 (which only refers to McDonald's), 버거 has become the standard general Korean word for "burger" — used at any restaurant, not just Burger King. 치즈버거 (cheese burger), 새우버거 (shrimp burger), and many more all build on this same borrowed root.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Pronouncing a hard 'r' sound in 버거
Korean 버거 doesn't include a separate English-style 'r' consonant — it's absorbed into the vowel quality, not pronounced as its own sound.
Mistake #2 — Assuming every English word gets heavily changed
킹 barely changes because it already fits Korean syllable rules — not every loanword needs the vowel-insertion and consonant-mapping seen in longer, more complex words.
Mini Quiz
1. How do you say Burger King in Korean?
2. Why does "King" need almost no adjustment when borrowed into Korean?
3. What does 버거 mean on its own?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
How Do You Say Starbucks in Korean?
The consonant-cluster rule in full force — Starbucks is one of the clearest examples of Korean vowel-insertion.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.