소고기
sogogi[sʰo̞ɡo̞ɡi]
The English word "beef" is translated into Korean as 소고기 (sogogi). Wiktionary also lists 쇠고기 (soegogi) and 우육 (uyuk).
Meaning: meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 소고기 | sogogi | [sʰo̞ɡo̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 쇠고기 | soegogi | [ˈsʰwe̞(ː)ɡo̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈsʰø̞(ː)ɡo̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 우육 | uyuk | [ujuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | uncommon |
You may encounter specific culinary terms related to beef, such as 불고기 for marinated beef and 갈비 for beef short ribs.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 소고기 is a compound of 소 (cow) and 고기 (meat).
Which one should you use?
The forms 소고기 and 쇠고기 are both used to refer to beef.
How do you pronounce it?
sogogi
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, beef is so highly prized that 한우 (Hanwoo) refers specifically to the native Korean cattle breed, which is treated as a luxury brand rather than just 'beef'.
- The Sino-Korean word 우육 used for beef shares the same Chinese characters as the Japanese word gyūniku, making them linguistic cousins.
- While 소고기 is the standard everyday term, you will see the Chinese-derived word 우육 on professional menus or formal packaging to denote high-quality beef.
Examples in context
- 내가 돼지고기 말고 소고기 사야한다고 했지.I asked you to buy beef, not pork.This sentence is useful for distinguishing between different types of meat using 소고기.Tatoeba #13008120 by Uwe, translation #10775083 by CK
- 쇠고기요.Beef, please.This sentence shows how to order 쇠고기.Tatoeba #8355932 by Eunhee, translation #19483 by CK
- "그렇게 소고기만 먹어 대면 소가 돼 버릴 거야." "그럴 리 없거든.""If you keep eating just beef, you'll turn into a cow!" "No way!"This sentence uses 소고기 in a playful context.Tatoeba #8427696 by Eunhee, translation #2847262 by eirik174
- 저는 소고기를 좋아해요.I like beef.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 도현 Do-hyeon오늘 저녁에 소고기 먹을까?oneul jeonyeoge sogogi meogeulkka?Shall we eat beef for dinner tonight?
- 민지 Min-ji좋아! 어디로 갈까?joa! eodiro galkka?Sounds good! Where should we go?
- 도현 Do-hyeon집 근처에 맛있는 소고기 집이 있어.jip geuncheoe masineun sogogi jibi isseo.There is a delicious beef restaurant near the house.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 빨리 가자.geureom ppalli gaja.Then let's go quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beef” translations and entries 소고기, 쇠고기, 우육, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 소고기, 쇠고기, 우육, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
