생강
saenggang[sʰɛŋɡa̠ŋ]
The Korean word for the spice ginger is 생강 (saenggang).
Meaning: spice (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
saenggang
Did you know?
- In Korean markets, you can often find 'dried ginger' referred to as 건강 (geon-gang), which is a shortened form of 'dried ginger' rather than the word for 'health'.
- Traditional Korean medicine classifies 생강 as a 'warm' food, used specifically to expel 'cold' from the body.
- The word 생강 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning its roots come from Chinese characters rather than being a native Korean invention.
Examples in context
- 저녁 식사에 생강을 사용하는 요리는 매우 많습니다.There are many dishes that use ginger for dinner.
- 생강은 건강에 좋아요.saenggang-eun geon-gang-e jo-a-yo.Ginger is good for your health.
- 생강을 조금 넣어 주세요.saenggang-eul jo-geum neo-eo ju-se-yo.Please add a little bit of ginger.
- 이 요리에는 생강이 들어가요.i yo-ri-e-neun saenggang-i deu-reo-ga-yo.Ginger goes into this dish.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Ji-eun are talking in a kitchen while preparing tea.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 생강 차 좋아해요?Ji-eun ssi, saenggang cha jo-a-hae-yo?Ji-eun, do you like ginger tea?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 생강은 정말 따뜻해요.Ne, saenggang-eun jeong-mal tta-tteut-hae-yo.Yes, ginger is really warming.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 생강을 직접 다질게요.Geu-reom saenggang-eul jik-jeop da-jil-ge-yo.Then I will mince the ginger myself.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요, 지훈 씨.Go-ma-wo-yo, Ji-hoon ssi.Thank you, Ji-hoon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ginger” translations and entries 생강, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 생강, CC BY-SA 4.0.
