콩
kong[kʰo̞ŋ]
The English word "bean" is translated into Korean as 콩 (kong).
콩 is used to refer to the seed of a Fabaceae plant.
Meaning: seed of a Fabaceae plant (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The specific term 팥 refers to red beans.
How do you pronounce it?
kong
Did you know?
- The term 콩 is used in the slang phrase 콩깍지가 씌었다, meaning 'bean pods are covering your eyes', to describe someone who is blinded by love.
- The expression 콩가루 집안 literally means 'bean-powder family' and describes a family that is completely dysfunctional or falling apart.
- The word 콩 was recorded as 코ᇰ in the 1446 document titled 'Hunminjeong'eum haerye', which explained the newly created Korean alphabet.
Examples in context
- 콩 스프 좋아해?Do you like bean soup?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes a 콩 soup.Tatoeba #8533889 by Eunhee, translation #8533308 by sundown
- 콩을 아주 좋아해요.kong-eul a-ju jo-a-hae-yo.I like beans very much.
- 이 콩은 정말 커요.i kong-eun jeong-mal keo-yo.This bean is really big.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyeon are at a grocery store.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 이 콩 살까요?Do-hyeon ssi, i kong sal-kka-yo?Dohyeon, shall we buy these beans?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 아주 신선해 보여요.Ne, a-ju sin-seon-hae bo-yeo-yo.Yes, they look very fresh.
- 수빈 Su-bin콩으로 요리를 할 거예요.kong-eu-ro yo-ri-reul hal geo-ye-yo.I am going to cook with beans.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 맛있겠네요!jeong-mal ma-sit-get-ne-yo!That sounds delicious!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 콩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 콩, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
