초콜릿
chokollit[t͡ɕʰo̞kʰo̞ʎʎit̚]
초콜릿 (chokollit) is the Korean word for chocolate. Wiktionary also lists 초코 (choko) and 쇼콜라 (syokolla).
Meaning: food made from ground roasted cocoa beans (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 초콜릿 | chokollit | [t͡ɕʰo̞kʰo̞ʎʎit̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 초코 | choko | [t͡ɕʰo̞kʰo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 쇼콜라 | syokolla | [ɕʰokʰo̞ɭɭa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word refers to the food made from ground roasted cocoa beans. You can also use related forms to describe the color chocolate by adding the suffix 색 to the noun, such as 초콜릿색, 초코색 or 쇼콜라색.
Which one should you use?
While 초콜릿 is the standard term, the shortened form 초코 is used colloquially, often as a prefix for flavors or products like 초코파이. The form 쇼콜라 is a loanword from French and is used to sound more sophisticated, typically appearing in high-end confectionery, dessert menus or branding.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
chokollit
Did you know?
- The word 초콜릿 traces its roots back to the Classical Nahuatl word chocolātl via Spanish and English.
- The spelling 초콜렛 is a common mistake made by many Koreans, even though it is not the correct standard form.
- The term 쇼콜라 is used specifically to evoke a French atmosphere, reflecting a broader trend in Korea where French terminology is linked to luxury and high fashion.
Examples in context
- 네가 초콜릿을 싫어했었다니 믿기지가 않아.I can't believe that you used to hate chocolate.This sentence uses the form 초콜릿 to express disbelief about a past preference.Tatoeba #11104827 by intertime, translation #10744603 by CK
- 이 교환 학생은 초콜릿을 가지고 왔어요.This exchange student brought chocolate.
- 초콜릿을 한 입 먹고 싶어요.chokolliteul han ip meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat a bite of chocolate.
- 이 초콜릿은 정말 달콤해요.i chokolliteun jeongmal dalkomhaeyo.This chocolate is really sweet.
Example conversation
Two friends are choosing a snack at a convenience store.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 초콜릿 먹을래요?Jihun ssi, chokollit meogeullaeyo?Jihun, do you want some chocolate?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 초콜릿은 정말 좋아해요.Ne, chokolliteun jeongmal joahaeyo.Yes, I really love chocolate.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 이 초콜릿으로 살까요?Geureom i chokolliteuro salkkayo?Then shall we buy this chocolate?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요, 서연 씨가 골라주세요.Joayo, Seoyeon ssiga golrajuseyo.Good, Seoyeon, please choose it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chocolate” translations and entries 초콜릿, 초코, 쇼콜라, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 쇼콜라, 초콜릿, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
