빵
ppang[p͈a̠ŋ]
The Korean word for bread is 빵 (ppang).
빵 is the most commonly used term for bread in Korean. While 빵 refers to bread generally, the broader term 제과 can be used to refer to bakery items more generally, including pastries and sweet treats.
Meaning: baked dough made from cereals (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 빵 is the general term, there are more specific words for different types: 식빵 refers specifically to sliced bread, 찐빵 means steamed bun, 바게트 means baguette and 크로와상 means croissant.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, the form of the word changes based on its grammatical role. If 빵 is the subject, you add the subject marker '-이' to form 빵이. If it is the direct object of a verb, you add the object marker '-을' to form 빵을.
How do you pronounce it?
ppang
Did you know?
- The word 빵 is an unexpected traveler that entered the Korean language via Japan, originating from the Portuguese word pão.
- In Korean, the word 빵 is also used as an onomatopoeia to represent the sound of a loud explosion or a pop, similar to 'bang' in English.
- South Korea has a unique culture of K-Bakery, where 빵 is often treated more as a sweet dessert or snack than a savory staple for sandwiches.
Examples in context
- 이 빵 맛있어 보이네.This bread looks delicious.This sentence is useful for describing the appearance of 빵.Tatoeba #8406178 by Eunhee, translation #7994246 by CK
- 톰은 빵을 사지 않았다.Tom didn't buy bread.This sentence shows how to use 빵 as a direct object.Tatoeba #11105541 by intertime, translation #4932005 by AlanF_US
- 그녀에게는 조그만 빵 하나가 있다.She has a little bread.This sentence shows how to use 빵 when referring to a single item.Tatoeba #11106672 by intertime, translation #456691 by lukaszpp
- 빵 좀 주세요.Please give me some bread.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A cafe where two friends are deciding what to eat.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지야, 우리 빵 먹을까?Minji-ya, uri ppang meogeulkka?Minji, shall we eat some bread?
- 민지 Min-ji좋아, 도현아. 나는 단 빵이 좋아.Joa, Dohyeon-a. naneun dan ppang-i joa.Sounds good, Dohyeon. I like sweet bread.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 여기 빵 종류가 많네.Geureom yeogi ppang jongnyuga manne.Then there are many kinds of bread here.
- 민지 Min-ji응, 저기 있는 빵을 고르자.Eung, jeogi inneun ppang-eul goreuja.Yeah, let's pick that bread over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bread” translations and entries 빵, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 빵, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
