Korean Dictionary
How to say "Otter" in Korean
“Otter” in Korean is 수달 (pronounced "sudal").
수달
sudal
Usage & Context
A playful aquatic mammal found in Korean rivers and streams. Otters are beloved animals in Korean culture and media. They are symbols of playfulness and water conservation.
Example Sentence
수달이 물에서 헤엄쳐요.
The otter swims in the water.
How to use 수달 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Otter” is 수달, romanized as sudal.
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 수달.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'soo-dahl.' 'Su' is a pure 'oo' like in 'soon,' and 'dal' rhymes with 'doll,' not 'dull.' Keep it short — two quick, even syllables.
More Example Sentences
chatting about a recent conservation story
한강에서 야생 수달이 돌아왔다는 뉴스 봤어요?
Did you see the news about wild otters returning to the Han River?
telling a kid a fun animal fact at the zoo
수달은 배 위에 돌멩이 올려놓고 조개를 깨 먹어요.
Otters crack open shellfish by putting a stone on their belly.
showing off a souvenir from an aquarium gift shop
수달 인형 너무 귀여워서 하나 샀어요.
The otter plush was too cute, so I bought one.
Cultural Context
The Eurasian otter (유라시아수달) is a protected species in Korea — Natural Monument No. 330 — after being pushed near extinction by river pollution in the 20th century. Their recent comeback to the Han River in central Seoul has been a huge environmental good-news story, and sightings regularly go viral on Korean Twitter and news apps. Otters are also a beloved mascot animal: aquariums like 아쿠아플라넷 and 롯데월드 Aquarium build entire events around them, and 수달 has become Korean internet slang for someone adorably mischievous.
Editorial note
We review entries like 수달 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
수달이 너무 귀여워요.
Otters are so cute.
수달은 천연기념물이에요.
Otters are a natural monument (protected species).
수달 먹방
Otter mukbang (otter eating clip)
Related Expressions
물고기
mulgogi
fish (what otters eat)
천연기념물
cheonyeon ginyeommul
natural monument (otter's protected status)
귀엽다
gwiyeopda
to be cute
아쿠아리움
akwariun
aquarium
More Animals Words
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