Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ladybug" in Korean
“Ladybug” in Korean is 무당벌레 (pronounced "mudangbeolre").
무당벌레
mudangbeolre
Usage & Context
A small colorful beetle with red and black spots. Ladybugs are beloved insects in Korean culture and children's media. They symbolize good luck and protection.
Example Sentence
무당벌레는 빨간색이에요.
The ladybug is red.
How to use 무당벌레 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ladybug” is 무당벌레, romanized as mudangbeolre.
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 무당벌레.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, "mu," sounds like "moo" in "moon." The second syllable, "dang," sounds like "dung" in "dung beetle," with a soft 'd' and a 'ng' at the end. "beol" sounds like "bull" in "bullet," and "re" sounds like "reh" in "reindeer." The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on "mu."
More Example Sentences
A pleasant encounter with nature
무당벌레가 내 손에 앉았어요.
A ladybug landed on my hand.
Children's reaction to an insect
아이들이 무당벌레를 보고 신기해했어요.
The children were amazed to see the ladybug.
Learning about ecological roles
무당벌레는 해충을 잡아먹는 이로운 곤충이에요.
Ladybugs are beneficial insects that eat pests.
Cultural Context
Ladybugs are widely beloved in Korea, especially by children, similar to their status in many Western cultures. They are often associated with good luck and are considered harmless and beautiful. The name "무당벌레" literally means "shaman beetle," possibly due to its bright, striking colors reminiscent of a shaman's attire or its perceived mystical qualities. They frequently appear in children's books, cartoons, and songs.
Editorial note
We review entries like 무당벌레 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
무당벌레가 날아왔어요.
A ladybug flew over.
무당벌레는 귀여워요.
Ladybugs are cute.
무당벌레를 찾아볼까요?
Shall we look for ladybugs?
Related Expressions
점박이
jeom-bagi
spotted (descriptive of its pattern)
빨간색
ppalgan-saek
red color
행운
haeng-un
good luck
익충
ikchung
beneficial insect (opposite of 해충 hae-chung, pest)
More Animals Words
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