Level 2

물고기

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Meaning and Usage

The word '물고기' specifically refers to fish as animals living in water. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about catching, eating, or keeping fish as pets.

Common Collocations

  • 물고기를 잡다: to catch fish, often used when fishing.
  • 물고기를 키우다: to raise or keep fish, usually in an aquarium.
  • 물고기 색깔: fish color, often describing the appearance of fish.

Register and Nuance

'물고기' is a neutral noun suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is not used metaphorically in common speech, so it generally refers to the literal animal.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '물고기' with '생선' (saengseon), which means fish prepared as food. Remember, '물고기' is the live fish, while '생선' refers to fish as an ingredient or dish.

Example Sentences

저는 바다에서 물고기를 잡았어요.

Jeoneun badaeseo mulgogireul jabasseoyo.

I caught a fish in the sea.

이 물고기는 색깔이 아주 예뻐요.

I mulgogineun saekkkari aju yeppeoyo.

This fish has very beautiful colors.

물고기를 키우는 것은 책임감이 필요해요.

Mulgogireul kiuneun geoseun chaegimgami piryohaeyo.

Raising fish requires responsibility.