If you collect designer toys, you’ve likely seen the name “Labubu.” Here’s how to say it with confidence.
Phonetic spelling (English): /ləˈbuː.buː/ → luh‑BOO‑boo
Breaking it down
• luh – quick, relaxed first syllable (like the “lu” in “lullaby”)
• BOO – stressed syllable, long “oo” as in “moon”
• boo – repeats the same long “oo,” but a touch softer
Say it smoothly in three beats: luh‑BOO‑boo, with the main stress on the middle syllable.
• “LAH‑boo‑boo” – stressing the first syllable
• “la‑BUH‑buh” – shortening the long “oo”
• “luh‑BOB‑oo” – replacing the “oo” with a short “o”
• “This limited‑edition Labubu sold out in seconds.”
• “I traded two figures to complete my Labubu set.”
• “Kasing Lung’s latest Labubu design glows in the dark.”
Since debuting in 2015, Labubu has appeared in dozens of blind‑box series, convention exclusives, and artist collaborations. Fans line up at POP MART stores or online drops to grab new variants. Knowing the pronunciation luh‑BOO‑boo helps when discussing releases or swapping figures with other collectors.
Labubu is a mischievous character created by Hong Kong‑based illustrator Kasing Lung. Featured in The Monsters designer‑toy line popularized by POP MART, Labubu sports sharp teeth, wide eyes, and an impish grin, making it a sought‑after figure among art‑toy collectors worldwide.
Coined by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung as a whimsical, onomatopoeic name for the cheeky forest creature; it has no direct meaning in English or Cantonese.