Korean Dictionary
How to say "Clownfish" in Korean
“Clownfish” in Korean is 흰동가리 (pronounced "hwindongari").
흰동가리
hwindongari
Usage & Context
A colorful fish known from the movie Finding Nemo. Clownfish are popular in Korean aquariums. They are symbols of coral reef ecosystems.
Example Sentence
흰동가리는 주황색이에요.
The clownfish is orange.
How to use 흰동가리 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Clownfish” is 흰동가리, romanized as hwindongari.
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 흰동가리.
Pronunciation Guide
흰 (hwin) sounds like "hwin" in "whinny." 동 (dong) is like "dong" in "ding-dong." 가 (ga) is like "gah." 리 (ri) is like "ree." The pronunciation is straightforward, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Explaining the natural habitat and behavior of clownfish.
흰동가리는 말미잘과 공생 관계를 맺어요.
Clownfish form a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones.
Discussing the cultural impact of the movie on the fish's popularity.
영화 '니모를 찾아서' 덕분에 흰동가리가 유명해졌어요.
Thanks to the movie 'Finding Nemo,' clownfish became famous.
Describing an observation at an aquarium.
아쿠아리움에서 주황색 흰동가리를 봤어요.
I saw orange clownfish at the aquarium.
Cultural Context
Clownfish gained immense popularity in Korea, as in many parts of the world, after the animated movie 'Finding Nemo' (니모를 찾아서, Nimoreul Chajaseo). They are a common sight in aquariums and pet stores, often informally referred to as '니모 물고기' (Nimo mulgogi, Nemo fish) by children and adults alike, highlighting their strong association with the beloved character.
Editorial note
We review entries like 흰동가리 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
흰동가리와 말미잘
clownfish and sea anemone
니모 물고기
Nemo fish (informal name for clownfish)
아쿠아리움 흰동가리
aquarium clownfish
Related Expressions
물고기
mulgogi
fish
말미잘
malmijal
sea anemone
열대어
yeoldaeeo
tropical fish
니모
nimo
Nemo (the character)
More Animals Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Clownfish and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
