콩
kong[kʰo̞ŋ]
The Korean word for "beans" is 콩 (kong).
The term refers to the edible seeds of various plants in the legume family.
How do you pronounce it?
kong
Did you know?
- The term 콩 is used in the expression 콩깍지가 씌다, meaning to be 'blinded by love', which literally translates to 'having bean pods over one's eyes'.
- While 콩 is the general term for beans, the red bean 팥 is linguistically treated as a separate category. In traditional customs, 팥 is thrown or used in porridge to ward off evil spirits, a role 콩 does not share.
- Historically, the soybean 콩 was one of the few crops that allowed early Koreans to survive harsh winters, leading to the development of 된장, a fermented bean paste that remains a staple of the national diet.
Examples in context
- 나는 콩을 싫어한다.I hate beans.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for 콩.Tatoeba #11106191 by intertime, translation #3374201 by CK
- 콩을 정말 좋아합니다.I love beans.This sentence is useful for expressing a great fondness for 콩.Tatoeba #13248469 by qiwiwi, translation #8927402 by carlosalberto
- 콩으로 맛있는 요리를 만들어 봤어요.I tried cooking delicious dishes with beans.
- 이 콩은 정말 고소해요.i kong-eun jeong-mal go-so-hae-yo.These beans are really savory.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are at a grocery store.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 이 콩 살까요?Min-jun ssi, i kong sal-kka-yo?Minjun, should we buy these beans?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 이 콩이 맛있어 보여요.ne, i kong-i ma-si-sseo bo-yeo-yo.Yes, these beans look delicious.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 이 콩으로 해요.geu-reom i kong-eu-ro hae-yo.Then let's go with these beans.
- 민준 Min-jun좋아요, 제가 담을게요.jo-a-yo, je-ga dam-eul-ge-yo.Great, I will put them in the basket.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 콩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
