계란
gyeran[kje̞ɾa̠n]
The English word 'eggs' is translated to Korean as 계란 (gyeran) in Korean.
계란 refers to the oval objects produced by birds, typically chickens, that are used as food. While 계란 is a common term, the word 알 can also be used to mean 'egg', specifically referring to the eggs of various animals. In technical contexts, particularly when discussing eggs used in cooking or food products, the term 난류 may be used.
Which one should you use?
There are two common ways to say 'egg' in Korean: 계란 and 달걀. Both are used interchangeably in daily conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
계란 is a count noun that does not change its form for pluralization. The context or a number determines if it is singular or plural.
How do you pronounce it?
gyeran
Did you know?
- The word 달걀 comes from the words for 'moon' 달 and 'egg' 알, because the shape and color of a chicken egg resemble the moon.
- In Korea, a common street food is 계란빵, which is a sweet and savory bread baked with a whole egg inside.
- The native word 알 is used not just for food, but also to describe a 'core' or the 'essence' of something in metaphorical Korean expressions.
Examples in context
- 냉장고에 계란 얼마나 있어?How many eggs are there in the fridge?This sentence is useful for asking about the quantity of 계란 in a fridge.Tatoeba #8406144 by Eunhee, translation #6345191 by CK
- 돌아올 때 슈퍼마켓에서 계란 사 와.Buy eggs at the store on your way home.This sentence is useful for requesting to buy 계란 at a supermarket.Tatoeba #7018588 by crowdy, translation #7148569 by samuraiseoul
- 그녀는 계란 12개짜리 두 판을 구매했다.She bought two dozen eggs.This sentence is useful for describing a specific quantity of 계란 purchased.Tatoeba #11106552 by intertime, translation #310133 by CK
- 계란 주세요Please give me eggs
- 계란 한 판 주세요Please give me one carton of eggs.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to cook for breakfast in their kitchen.
- 도현 Do-hyeon오늘 아침은 계란 요리 어때?oneul achimeun gyeran yori eo-ttae?How about an egg dish for breakfast today?
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋아, 계란 프라이 해줄까?jo-a, gyeran peurai hae-jul-kka?Good, should I make you some fried eggs?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 계란 두 개만 부탁해.eung, gyeran du gae-man bu-tak-hae.Yes, just two eggs, please.
- 서연 Seo-yeon알겠어, 금방 만들게.al-get-seo, geum-bang man-deul-ge.Okay, I'll make them right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 계란, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
