달걀
dalgyal[ta̠ɭɡja̠ɭ]
The English word "egg" is translated into Korean as 달걀 (dalgyal) or 계란.
Meaning: edible egg of a domestic fowl, the contents of such an egg or eggs used as food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 달걀 | dalgyal | [ta̠ɭɡja̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 계란 | gyeran | [kje̞ɾa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ke̞ɾa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to the edible egg of a domestic fowl or the contents of such eggs used as food. The term 계란 is frequently seen in names of specific Korean dishes, such as 계란말이 (rolled omelet).
Which one should you use?
달걀 is the native Korean term for egg. In contrast, 계란 is a Sino-Korean loanword. While both are used, 계란 is very common in culinary contexts and on product labels.
How do you pronounce it?
dalgyal
Did you know?
- In Korea, eggs are often used as a symbol of beginning or potential, but the word 알 (the root for egg) is also used to describe a grain or a small round bead.
- The native word 달걀 is a linguistic fossil of a contraction, originally formed from the words for 'chicken' and 'egg'.
- Korean cuisine features a specific dish called 계란찜 (steamed eggs) which is often served bubbling in a hot stone pot to keep it warm.
Examples in context
- 저는 계란을 좋아합니다.I like eggs.
- 계란을 익히세요.Please cook the eggs.
- 계란 한 개 주세요.Please give me one egg.
- 달걀을 익혀먹어.Cook and eat the egg.
- 달걀은 많이 먹으면 좋아.It's good to eat a lot of eggs.
- 달걀이 아주 신선해요.dalgyari aju sinseonhaeyo.The eggs are very fresh.
- 오늘 아침에 달걀을 먹었어요.oneul achime dalgyareul meogeosseoyo.I ate an egg this morning.
- 달걀을 두 개 주세요.dalgyareul du gae juseyo.Please give me two eggs.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are talking about breakfast at home.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 달걀 있어요?Dohyun ssi, dalgyal isseoyo?Dohyun, do we have any eggs?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 냉장고에 달걀이 많아요.Ne, naengjanggo-e dalgyari manayo.Yes, there are many eggs in the refrigerator.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 달걀 프라이 해 줄래요?Geureom dalgyal peurai hae jullaeyo?Then, will you make me some fried eggs?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요, 금방 해 줄게요.Joayo, geumbang hae julgeyo.Okay, I'll make them for you right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “egg” translations and entries 달걀, 계란, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 계란, 달걀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
