캐러멜
kaereomel[kʰɛɾʌ̹me̞ɭ]
The Korean word for caramel is 캐러멜 (kaereomel). Wiktionary also lists 기름사탕 (gireumsatang) and 캬라멜 (kyaramel).
Meaning: confection (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 캐러멜 | kaereomel | [kʰɛɾʌ̹me̞ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kʰe̞ɾʌ̹me̞ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 기름사탕 | gireumsatang | [kiɾɯmsʰa̠tʰa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 캬라멜 | kyaramel | [cça̠ɾa̠me̞ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
The term refers to the confection. It is commonly used in names of various sweets and desserts, such as 카라멜 아이스크림 (caramel ice cream), 카라멜 마카롱 (caramel macaron), 캐러멜 소스 (caramel sauce) and 카라멜 콘푸로스트 (caramel cornflakes).
Which one should you use?
캬라멜 is a variant used specifically in North Korea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the spelling 캬라멜 is used instead of the South Korean 캐러멜.
How do you pronounce it?
kaereomel
Did you know?
- While the loanword 캐러멜 is standard, you might encounter the literal description 기름사탕, which translates to 'oil candy'.
- In Korea, 'caramel' often describes a specific shade of light brown used in fashion and cosmetics, not just a flavor.
- Many older Koreans may recognize 기름사탕 as a nostalgic term from an era before English loanwords dominated the confectionery market.
Examples in context
- 카라멜 아이스크림 좋아하세요?Do you like caramel ice cream?
- 캐러멜 마카롱 너무 맛있어!Caramel macarons are so delicious!
- 이 캐러멜은 정말 달아요.i kaereomel-eun jeongmal darayo.This caramel is really sweet.
- 캐러멜을 하나 먹어도 돼요?kaereomel-eul hana meogeodo dwaeyo?May I eat one caramel?
- 상자 안에 캐러멜이 가득해요.sangja ane kaereomel-i gadeuk-haeyo.The box is full of caramels.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are sharing snacks at a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 이 캐러멜 맛있어요?Hyunwoo ssi, i kaereomel masisseoyo?Hyunwoo, is this caramel delicious?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 아주 달콤하고 맛있어요.ne, aju dalkomhago masisseoyo.Yes, it is very sweet and delicious.
- 수빈 Su-bin저도 하나만 먹어볼게요.jeodo hanaman meogeobolgeyo.I will try one too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo여기 있어요, 수빈 씨.yeogi isseoyo, Subin ssi.Here it is, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “caramel” translations and entries 캐러멜, 기름사탕, 캬라멜, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
