밥솥
bapsot[pa̠ps͈o̞t̚]
The Korean word for cooker (specifically a rice cooker) is 밥솥 (bapsot).
While the English word 'cooker' can refer to various heating devices, in Korean, 밥솥 specifically refers to a rice cooker. For the common modern appliance used in homes, the term 전기밥솥 (electric rice cooker) is often used.
Meaning: device for heating food, stove (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 밥솥 is composed of 밥, meaning rice and 솥, meaning pot or cauldron.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between different types of cooking appliances. 밥솥 refers specifically to a rice cooker or a pot used for rice. If you are referring to a stove or a cooktop, you should use 가스레인지 (gas range) or 인덕션 (induction) instead.
How do you pronounce it?
bapsot
Did you know?
- Korean culture has a specific term for the scorched rice that forms at the bottom of a 솥, called 누룽지, which is considered a delicacy and eaten as a snack or porridge.
- In Korea, the 밥솥 is so central to the home that high-end pressure rice cookers are often given as prestigious wedding gifts to symbolize a prosperous and well-fed marriage.
- While 밥솥 is the noun for the appliance, a person might use the verb 밥을 하다 (bap-eul hada), which literally translates to 'to do rice', to mean 'to cook rice'.
Examples in context
- 전기 밥솥이 요리하는 동안 다른 일을 할 수 있어요.I can do other things while the cooker is cooking.
- 전기 밥솥 조리법을 숙지하는 것이 중요해요.It's important to familiarize yourself with rice cooker recipes.
- 밥솥이 꼭 필요해.I really need a cooker.
- 새 밥솥을 샀어요.sae bapsoseul sasseoyo.I bought a new rice cooker.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are in the kitchen.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 밥솥 봤어요?Hyeonu ssi, bapsot bwasseoyo?Hyunwoo, have you seen the rice cooker?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 식탁 위에 있어요.ne, siktak wie isseoyo.Yes, it is on the table.
- 서연 Seo-yeon밥솥에 밥이 다 됐나요?bapsote bap-i da dwaennayo?Is the rice in the cooker done?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 지금 바로 드릴게요.ne, jigeum baro deurilgeyo.Yes, I will give it to you right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 밥솥, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
