Etymology

First attested in the Worin seokbo (月印釋譜 / 월인석보), 1459, as 번게 (Yale: penkey).

Equivalent to the root 번 ‎(beon, “*bright”) + suffix —게 (-ge, “the thing which”). Related to 번득 (beondeuk, “with a flash”), 번쩍거리다 (beonjjeokgeorida, “to glitter”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pʌ̹nɡɛ̝/
• Phonetic hangeul: 번개