치즈
chijeu[t͡ɕʰid͡ʑɯ]
The English word "cheese" is translated into Korean as 치즈 (chijeu). Wiktionary also lists 건락 (geollak).
Meaning: dairy product (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 치즈 | chijeu | [t͡ɕʰid͡ʑɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 건락 | geollak |
치즈 is used to refer to the dairy product. It can also be used as an interjection when someone is being photographed to encourage them to smile.
Which one should you use?
치즈 is the standard term for the dairy product. 건락 is another form for cheese. In specific culinary contexts, you might see 치즈류 used to refer to the cheese category or various types of cheese, 맥앤치즈 for mac and cheese and 치즈소스 for cheese sauce.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
chijeu
When do people say it?
When people are being photographed, it is common to say 치즈 or 김치 to prompt the subjects to smile.
Did you know?
- In Korean food culture, 치즈 is frequently used as a topping for unexpected savory dishes like corn dogs and spicy tteokbokki to mellow the heat.
- While 'cheese' is used for photos in English, Koreans often substitute it with 김치, the name of the famous fermented vegetable dish, to make people smile.
- The word 건락 is an older, more traditional way to refer to cheese, though it is rarely used in modern daily conversation compared to the loanword 치즈.
Examples in context
- 어떤 종류의 치즈를 가장 좋아해?What's your favorite kind of cheese?This sentence shows how to ask about a favorite kind of 치즈.Tatoeba #8363224 by Eunhee, translation #8039978 by CK
- 우린 우유를 치즈와 버터로 만들어.We make milk into cheese and butter.This sentence describes the process of making milk into 치즈 and butter.Tatoeba #8367357 by Eunhee, translation #19457 by CK
- 무슨 치즈가 피자에 가장 어울리나요?Which cheese is best for pizza?This sentence asks which type of 치즈 is best suited for pizza.Tatoeba #13138664 by SN_H, translation #8039981 by CK
- 치즈버거 주세요.Please give me a cheeseburger.
- 치즈는 어디 있어요?Where is the cheese?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are making sandwiches in the kitchen.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈, 여기 치즈 있어?Subin, yeogi chijeu isseo?Subin, is there any cheese here?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 냉장고 안에 있어.Eung, naengjanggo ane isseo.Yes, it's inside the refrigerator.
- 지훈 Ji-hun치즈 한 장만 줄래?chijeu han jangman jullae?Can you give me one slice of cheese?
- 수빈 Su-bin여기 있어, 지훈.yeogi isseo, Jihoon.Here it is, Jihoon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheese” translations and entries 치즈, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
