Korean Dictionary
How to say "Octopus" in Korean
“Octopus” in Korean is 문어 (pronounced "mun-eo").
문어
mun-eo
Usage & Context
An intelligent marine creature with eight arms found in Korean waters. Octopuses are used in Korean cuisine and are subjects of scientific research. They are known for their problem-solving abilities.
Example Sentence
문어는 매우 똑똑해요.
The octopus is very intelligent.
How to use 문어 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Octopus” is 문어, romanized as mun-eo.
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 문어.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '문' (mun), sounds like the English word 'moon'. The second syllable, '어' (eo), is pronounced like the 'uh' in 'butter'. Put it together: 'moon-uh'.
More Example Sentences
Asking about a famous and adventurous Korean dish.
산낙지 먹어봤어요?
Have you tried live octopus?
Stating a biological fact about octopuses.
문어는 다리가 여덟 개예요.
Octopuses have eight legs/arms.
Recommending a popular Korean dish as a snack with drinks.
문어 숙회는 술안주로 좋아요.
Boiled octopus slices are good with alcohol.
Cultural Context
Octopus is a highly popular seafood in Korea. '산낙지' (sannakji), live octopus, is a famous (and sometimes controversial) dish where small octopuses are eaten while still wriggling. '문어 숙회' (mun-eo sukhoe), boiled octopus slices, is also a common and beloved dish, often enjoyed with soju. It's considered a healthy and delicious food, especially for its chewy texture.
Editorial note
We review entries like 문어 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
문어발식 확장
octopus-leg-style expansion (meaning rapid, widespread expansion, often with a negative connotation for businesses)
문어 숙회
boiled octopus slices
산낙지
live octopus
Related Expressions
낙지
nakji
small octopus / long-arm octopus
쭈꾸미
jjukkumi
webfoot octopus
해산물
haesanmul
seafood
다리
dari
leg / arm (referring to tentacles)
More Animals Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Octopus and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
