대추야자
daechuyaja[tɛt͡ɕʰuja̠d͡ʑa̠]
In Korean, dates (referring to the fruit) is said as 대추야자 (daechuyaja).
대추야자 is used to refer specifically to the sweet, brown fruit of the date palm tree.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 대추, which means jujube or red date and 야자, which means palm tree.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between 대추야자, the fruit of the date palm and 대추, which refers to the jujube. The jujube is a fruit much more common in Korea and is often confused with dates by English speakers.
How do you pronounce it?
daechuyaja
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean weddings, 대추 (jujubes) are scattered over the couple to symbolize fertility and the birth of many children.
- The word 야자 comes from the Hanja characters 椰子, where 椰 specifically refers to the coconut palm.
- Unlike the sweet 대추야자 (dates), the Korean jujube 대추 is often used in savory soups and stews to add a subtle, earthy sweetness rather than a sugary flavor.
Examples in context
- 대추야자는 아주 달아요.daechuyajaneun aju dalayo.Dates are very sweet.
- 이 대추야자는 어디서 팔아요?i daechuyajaneun eodiseo parayo?Where do they sell these dates?
- 저는 대추야자를 좋아해요.jeoneun daechuyajareul joahaeyo.I like dates.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are at a specialty grocery store.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 이 대추야자 한번 먹어볼래요?Seoyeon ssi, i daechuyaja hanbeon meogeobollaeyo?Seoyeon, would you like to try these dates?
- 서연 Seo-yeon와, 정말 맛있네요!wa, jeongmal masitneyo!Wow, they are really delicious!
- 민준 Min-jun대추야자는 건강에도 좋대요.daechuyajaneun geongangeodo jokdaeyo.I heard dates are also good for your health.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 이걸로 조금 살까요?geureom igeollo jogeum salkkayo?Then shall we buy some of them?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 대추야자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 대추야자, CC BY-SA 4.0.
