Korean Dictionary
How to say "Jellyfish" in Korean
“Jellyfish” in Korean is 해파리 (pronounced "haepari").
해파리
haepari
Usage & Context
A gelatinous marine creature found in Korean waters. Jellyfish are both beautiful and dangerous, with some species causing stings. They are featured in Korean marine research and aquariums.
Example Sentence
해파리는 투명해요.
The jellyfish is transparent.
How to use 해파리 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Jellyfish” is 해파리, romanized as haepari.
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 해파리.
Pronunciation Guide
To pronounce "해파리" (haepari), say 'Hae-pa-ri'. 'Hae' sounds like 'heh' in 'heather'. 'Pa' is like 'pah' in 'papa'. 'Ri' is like 'ree' in 'tree'. The stress is relatively even across syllables.
More Example Sentences
A lifeguard warning beachgoers.
여름 바다에 해파리가 많아서 조심해야 해요.
There are many jellyfish in the summer sea, so you need to be careful.
A visitor sharing their experience at an aquarium.
수족관에서 투명한 해파리를 봤어요.
I saw transparent jellyfish at the aquarium.
Someone asking for first aid advice.
해파리에 쏘이면 어떻게 해야 해요?
What should I do if I get stung by a jellyfish?
Cultural Context
Jellyfish, or '해파리,' are a common sight in Korean coastal waters, especially during summer, and warnings about them are frequent on news and at beaches. While they can be a nuisance due to stings, their ethereal beauty is also appreciated, leading to popular exhibits in aquariums. In K-dramas, a character might metaphorically describe someone as '해파리 같다' (like a jellyfish) if they are perceived as weak, spineless, or easily swayed, though this usage is less common than the literal meaning.
Editorial note
We review entries like 해파리 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
해파리에 쏘이다
To be stung by a jellyfish
해파리떼
A swarm of jellyfish
해파리 냉채
Cold jellyfish salad (a Korean dish)
Related Expressions
문어
muneo
Octopus
오징어
ojingeo
Squid
해양 생물
haeyang saengmul
Marine organism
독성 해파리
dokseong haepari
Venomous jellyfish
More Animals Words
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