두더지
dudeoji[tudʌ̹d͡ʑi]
The Korean word for the burrowing insectivore mole is 두더지 (dudeoji).
Meaning: burrowing insectivore (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is dudeoji.
Did you know?
- The word 두더지 literally combines a word for 'digging' with 쥐, which means 'mouse' or 'rat'.
- The term 두더지 is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person who stays indoors or avoids the light of day.
- In Korea, the 'Whac-A-Mole' arcade game is called 두더지 잡기, which translates literally as 'mole catching'.
Examples in context
- 두더지가 땅을 파고 있어요.dudeojiga ttangeul pago isseoyo.A mole is digging in the ground.
- 두더지는 땅속에 살아요.dudeojineun ttangsoge sarayo.Moles live underground.
- 마당에서 두더지 구멍을 봤어요.madang-eseo dudeoji gumeongeul bwasseoyo.I saw a mole hole in the yard.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are looking at a hole in the garden.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈, 여기 구멍 좀 봐.Ji-hun, yeogi gumong jom bwa.Ji-hoon, look at this hole here.
- 지훈 Ji-hun두더지가 판 것 같아요.dudeojiga pan geot gatayo.I think a mole dug it.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 두더지가 살고 있을까?jeongmal dudeojiga salgo isseulkka?Do you think a mole really lives here?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 아마 그럴 거예요.ne, ama geureol geoyeyo.Yes, probably.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mole” translations and entries 두더지, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 두더지, CC BY-SA 4.0.
