Korean word

굴

Pronunciation

Romanizationkul

Meaning

  • nounoyster

Example

저는 굴을 좋아해요.cheo neun ku reul cho a hae yo

I like oysters.

Illustration for 굴 (oyster)

More examples

어제는 친구와 굴구이를 먹었어요.eo je neun chin gu wa kul gu i reul meo geo sseo yo

Yesterday, I ate grilled oysters with a friend.

Core concept

A plump sea shellfish that is eaten fresh or cooked in many dishes.

Common phrases

  • 굴구이kul gu i

    grilled oysters

  • 굴튀김kul twi gim

    fried oysters

  • 생굴saeng gul

    raw oysters

Similar words

조개chogae: A general name for shell-bearing animals found in coastal water, tidal flats, and rivers.
해산물haesanmul: Edible food gathered from the sea for meals and cooking.

Definition in Korean

식탁에 오르는 바다 조개로 생으로 먹거나 전이나 찌개에 넣어 먹는 경우가 많으며 같은 발음으로 동굴을 뜻하기도 한다sik ta ge o reu neun pa da cho gae ro saeng eu ro meok kkeo na cheo ni na jji gae e neo eo meong neun kyeong u ga ma neu myeo ka teun pa reu meu ro tong gu reul tteu ta gi do han da

Word origin

This native Korean word has long named the edible sea shellfish, while the cave meaning comes from a different word that only sounds the same.

Usage tips

  • One spoken word has two meanings, so nearby words help show whether the topic is a meal or an underground place.

Other meanings

  • cavenoun
  • burrownoun

Related words

  • 굴집kuljipoyster restaurantnoun
  • 굴무침kulmuchimseasoned oystersnoun
  • 굴양식kuryangsikoyster farmingnoun

Word lists with this word