버터
beoteo[pʌ̹tʰʌ̹]
The English word "butter" is translated into Korean as 버터 (beoteo). Wiktionary also lists 빠다 (ppada).
Meaning: soft foodstuff made from milk (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 버터 | beoteo | [pʌ̹tʰʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 빠다 | ppada | [p͈a̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
The term refers to the soft foodstuff made from milk.
Which one should you use?
The standard term is 버터, while 빠다 is a colloquial or slang version used in certain contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
빠다 is considered slang or a colloquialism in South Korea, often derived from older, Japanese-influenced pronunciations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
빠다 is the term used in North Korea instead of the standard 버터.
How do you pronounce it?
beoteo
Did you know?
- The word 빠다 is a phonetic adaptation of the Japanese バター, which itself was an attempt to mimic the English 'butter'.
- Some traditional Korean bakeries still use the term 빠다 in the names of their cookies, such as 'butter cookies', to evoke a nostalgic feeling from the mid-century era.
- Because 빠다 is a colloquialism, using it might make you sound more like a local in a traditional market or an older person, rather than a textbook-trained student.
Examples in context
- 톰은 버터를 너무 좋아하네.Tom likes butter too much.This sentence shows how to express a strong preference for the noun 버터.Tatoeba #8356298 by Eunhee, translation #5798837 by Eccles17
- 우린 우유를 치즈와 버터로 만들어.We make milk into cheese and butter.This sentence demonstrates using the noun 버터 when describing what is produced from milk.Tatoeba #8367357 by Eunhee, translation #19457 by CK
- 버터 어디 있어?Where's the butter?This sentence illustrates how to ask for the location of 버터.Tatoeba #11105477 by intertime, translation #1841526 by CK
- 버터 2스푼을 팬에 녹인다.Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan.
- 마가린은 버터 대용으로도 사용할 수 있습니다.Margarine can also be used as a substitute for butter.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are making toast in the kitchen.
- 민준 Min-jun빵에 바를 버터가 필요해.ppang-e bareul beoteo-ga pil-yo-hae.I need some butter to spread on the bread.
- 지은 Ji-eun냉장고에 버터가 있을 거야.naeng-jang-go-e beoteo-ga isseul geo-ya.There should be some butter in the fridge.
- 민준 Min-jun지은아, 버터 좀 찾아줄래?Jieun-a, beoteo jom chaja-jullae?Jieun, can you look for the butter?
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 여기 버터 있어.Eung, yeogi beoteo isseo.Yes, here is the butter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butter” translations and entries 버터, 빠다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 버터, 빠다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
