칩
chip[t͡ɕʰip̚]
In Korean, the English word "chip" is translated using several forms, most commonly 칩. Wiktionary also lists 칩스 (chipseu) and 감자칩 (gamjachip).
Meaning: thin, crisp, fried piece of potato or vegetable (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 칩 | chip | [t͡ɕʰip̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 칩스 | chipseu | |
| 감자칩 | gamjachip |
The term refers to a thin, crisp, fried piece of potato or vegetable. If you are specifically talking about potato chips in a grocery or snack context, 감자칩 is the most common and specific term to use.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 감자칩 is a compound of 감자, which means potato and 칩, which means chip.
Which one should you use?
The forms vary by specificity: 칩 is the general loanword for chip, 감자칩 specifically refers to a potato chip and 칩스 is another way to express the concept.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is chip.
Did you know?
- While 감자칩 is the direct loanword, the word 감자튀김 is often used to describe what English speakers call 'chips' in the UK sense (French fries).
- The word 칩 is also used in Korean to refer to a computer 'chip', meaning the same English loanword serves both a food and a technological purpose.
- The word 칩 can also refer to gaming or casino chips, showing the versatility of the English loanword in Korean culture.
Examples in context
- 우리 오늘 영화 보면서 과자 먹을까?Shall we eat chips while watching a movie today?
- 이 감자 칩 정말 바삭해요.i gamja chip jeongmal basakhaeyo.This potato chip is really crispy.
- 채소 칩을 직접 만들었어요.chaeso chieul jikjeop mandeureosseoyo.I made vegetable chips myself.
- 과자 칩이 너무 짜요.gwaja chipi neomu jjayo.The snack chip is too salty.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are sharing snacks while watching a movie.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈, 이 칩 먹어봐요.Subin, i chip meogeobwayo.Subin, try these chips.
- 수빈 Su-bin와, 정말 바삭하네요!wa, jeongmal basakhane-yo!Wow, they are really crispy!
- 민준 Min-jun그쵸? 제가 제일 좋아하는 칩이에요.geuchyo? jega jeil joahaneun chip-ieyo.Right? They are my favorite chips.
- 수빈 Su-bin저도 정말 좋아해요.jeodo jeongmal joahaeyo.I really like them too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chip” translations and entries 칩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
