수달
sudal[sʰuda̠ɭ]
The Korean word for otter is 수달 (sudal).
수달 is a noun used to refer to the otter, a carnivorous aquatic mammal.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
sudal
Did you know?
- Korean speakers use the phrase 수달 같다 to describe someone with a cute, round face and a small nose, mimicking the appearance of a 수달.
- Because otters are a protected species in South Korea, you may see the phrase 천연기념물 수달 in news reports, meaning 'Natural Monument Otter'.
- The character 獺 used in 수달 is quite rare in modern everyday Korean and is almost exclusively seen in this specific context.
Examples in context
- 수달은 정말 귀여워요.sudal-eun jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.The otter is really cute.
- 강가에서 수달을 봤어요.gangga-eseo sudal-eul bwasseoyo.I saw an otter by the river.
- 수달은 물속에서 잘 헤엄쳐요.sudal-eun mulsog-eseo jal heeomchyeoyo.An otter swims well underwater.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are looking at animals in a book.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 이 동물은 뭐예요?Minji ssi, i dongmul-eun mwoyeyo?Minji, what is this animal?
- 민지 Min-ji이건 수달이에요.igeon sudal-ieyo.This is an otter.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 작고 귀엽네요!jeongmal jakgo gwiyeopneyo!It's really small and cute!
- 민지 Min-ji네, 저도 수달을 좋아해요.ne, jeodo sudal-eul joahae-yo.Yes, I like otters too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “otter” translations and entries 수달, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
