Korean Dictionary
How to say "Haenyeo (women divers)" in Korean
“Haenyeo (women divers)” in Korean is 해녀 (pronounced "Haenyeo").
해녀
Haenyeo
Usage & Context
Female free-divers from Jeju Island who harvest seafood without breathing equipment. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage representing courage and community. 해녀 culture involves unique diving suits, techniques passed through generations, and a communal support system. The haenyeo are emblematic of Jeju's distinctive culture and matriarchal traditions.
Example Sentence
해녀는 숨을 참고 바닷속에서 해산물을 채취해요.
Haenyeo hold their breath and harvest seafood underwater.
How to use 해녀 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Haenyeo (women divers)” is 해녀, romanized as Haenyeo.
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 해녀.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'hae-nyuh' — two syllables, not three. 'Hae' rhymes with 'hey,' and 'nyeo' is a single beat: blend 'ny' + a short 'uh,' the way 'canyon' squeezes the 'ny' together.
More Example Sentences
describing a beachside market in Jeju
제주 할머니 해녀분들이 전복이랑 소라를 잡아서 바로 팔아요.
The grandmother haenyeo on Jeju catch abalone and conch and sell them on the spot.
telling a friend about a documentary you watched
해녀 학교에서 잠수 훈련부터 배운대요.
At the haenyeo school, they say you start by learning diving drills.
explaining a traditional ritual to a tourist
해녀들이 물질 나가기 전에 바다에 인사를 드려요.
The haenyeo greet the sea before going out to dive.
Cultural Context
Haenyeo are Jeju Island's iconic women free-divers, UNESCO-listed since 2016. The word literally breaks down as 해 (sea) + 녀 (woman), and the practice is called 물질 (muljil) — 'water work.' Most active haenyeo today are in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, and they organize into a 해녀회 (haenyeo council) that collectively manages diving grounds and safety. Their distinctive whistle-like exhale when surfacing is called 숨비소리 (sumbisori), and it has become a cultural symbol of endurance and female solidarity — you'll see it honored everywhere from Jeju tourism campaigns to recent K-dramas like 'Our Blues' and the 2024 film 'Tangerines.'
Editorial note
We review entries like 해녀 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
해녀 할머니
grandmother haenyeo (affectionate)
물질 나가다
to go out diving for seafood
해녀 문화
haenyeo culture
Related Expressions
물질
muljil
the work of diving for seafood
숨비소리
sumbisori
the whistling breath haenyeo release on surfacing
제주도
Jejudo
Jeju Island (their home)
잠수
jamsu
diving / submerging
More Nature Words
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