녹차
nokcha[no̞k̚t͡ɕʰa̠]
The English phrase "green tea" is 녹차 (nokcha) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 록차 (rokcha).
Meaning: drink (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 녹차 | nokcha | [no̞k̚t͡ɕʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 록차 | rokcha | [ɾo̞k̚t͡ɕʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the spelling 록차 is used instead of the South Korean 녹차.
How do you pronounce it?
nokcha
Did you know?
- The syllable 차 (cha) is also the Korean word for 'car', so you may hear the same sound used in entirely different contexts depending on the sentence.
- The character for tea, 차 (cha), is a cognate with the Chinese 'cha' and the Japanese 'cha', meaning the word follows the ancient maritime trade routes of tea throughout East Asia.
- In Korea, 녹차 is often associated with the island of Jeju, which produces the majority of the country's green tea due to its volcanic soil and humid climate.
Examples in context
- 녹차 한 잔 주문하겠습니다.I would like to have a cup of green tea, please.
- 엄마, 녹차 내려주실래요?Mom, can you make some green tea for me?
- 녹차를 마셔요.nokchareul masyeoyo.I drink green tea.
- 녹차 향이 정말 좋아요.nokcha hyangi jeongmal joayo.The scent of the green tea is really good.
- 따뜻한 녹차 한 잔 주세요.ttatteuthan nokcha han jan juseyo.Please give me a cup of warm green tea.
Example conversation
At a quiet cafe, two friends are ordering drinks.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 녹차 마실래요?Dohyeon ssi, nokcha masillaeyo?Dohyeon, would you like to drink green tea?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 저는 녹차가 좋아요.Ne, jeoneun nokchaga joayo.Yes, I like green tea.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 녹차 두 잔 주문할게요.Geureom nokcha du jan jumunhalgeyo.Then I will order two cups of green tea.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 서연 씨.Gomawoyo, Seoyeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “green tea” translations and entries 녹차, 록차, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 녹차, CC BY-SA 4.0.
