Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cicada" in Korean
“Cicada” in Korean is 매미 (pronounced "Maemi").
매미
Maemi
Usage & Context
Loud insects whose chorus defines Korean summer soundscapes. 매미 소리 (cicada sounds) are synonymous with hot summer days. Their constant buzz from mid-July to August is an unmistakable season marker. 매미 허물 (cicada shell) is collected by children. Their emergence after years underground symbolizes transformation in Korean literature.
Example Sentence
여름에 매미 소리가 시끄럽지만 그게 여름 분위기예요.
Cicada sounds are noisy in summer but that's the summer atmosphere.
How to use 매미 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cicada” is 매미, romanized as Maemi.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 매미.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Mae' like 'my' (as in 'my car'). 'Mi' is like 'me'. The two syllables flow together smoothly, with a slight emphasis on 'mae'.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about the noise during a hot summer night.
여름에는 매미 소리 때문에 잠을 설칠 때도 있어요.
In summer, sometimes I can't sleep well because of the cicada sounds.
Recalling a childhood hobby.
어릴 때 매미 허물을 모으는 걸 좋아했어요.
When I was little, I liked collecting cicada shells.
Identifying a seasonal marker.
매미 소리가 들리면 여름이 왔다는 걸 알 수 있죠.
When you hear cicada sounds, you know summer has arrived.
Cultural Context
매미 (maemi) are synonymous with Korean summer. Their loud, incessant chirping from mid-July to August is an unmistakable soundscape of the season. While sometimes considered noisy, the '매미 소리' (maemi sori) evokes a strong sense of summer for Koreans. Children often collect 매미 허물 (maemi heomul), the empty cicada shells, as a fun activity.
Editorial note
We review entries like 매미 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
매미 소리가 시끄러워요.
Cicada sounds are noisy.
매미가 울어요.
Cicadas are chirping/crying.
매미 허물 찾기
Finding cicada shells
Related Expressions
매미 소리
maemi sori
cicada sound
매미 허물
maemi heomul
cicada shell
여름
yeoreum
summer
곤충
gonchung
insect
More Nature Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Cicada and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
