장보기
jangbogi
The English phrase 'groceries' can be translated into Korean as 장보기 (jangbogi).
The term 장보기 is used to describe the act of grocery shopping. To refer specifically to the physical commodities or food items themselves, the word 식료품 is used.
Meaning: commodities sold by a grocer or in a grocery (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 장보기 refers to the activity of shopping for groceries, 식료품 refers to the actual grocery items.
How does it change in a sentence?
장보기 is a noun that describes the act of grocery shopping.
How do you pronounce it?
jangbogi
Did you know?
- When people go 장보기 at traditional markets, it is common to receive 덤, which are small amounts of extra groceries given for free by the vendor as a gesture of generosity.
- The word 장 in 장보기 originally refers to a traditional open-air market. In pre-modern Korea, these markets operated on a five-day cycle, meaning they were only open every fifth day.
- When talking about 'grocery shopping' for a house, Koreans often use the verb 보다 (to see/look) in the phrase 장을 보다, which literally translates to 'to see the market'.
Examples in context
- 제가 식료품 가게에서 뭐 사올까요?What should I buy at the grocery store?
Example conversation
A couple is planning their day at home.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 냉장고가 비었어요.dohyeon ssi, naengjanggoga bieosseoyo.Dohyun, the fridge is empty.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 지금 장보기 하러 갈까요?geureom jigeum jangbogi hareo galkkayo?Then shall we go grocery shopping now?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 같이 가요.ne, gachi gayo.Yes, let's go together.
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요, 빨리 준비해요.johayo, ppalli junbihaeyo.Great, get ready quickly.
