햄버거
haembeogeo[hɛmbʌ̹ɡʌ̹]
The Korean word for hamburger is 햄버거 (haembeogeo). Wiktionary also lists 고기겹빵 (gogigyeopppang).
Meaning: sandwich (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 햄버거 | haembeogeo | [hɛmbʌ̹ɡʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [he̞mbʌ̹ɡʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 고기겹빵 | gogigyeopppang | /kɔɡʲiɡʲɔˀpːɐŋ/ (North Korea) | North Korea |
What does it mean word for word?
The North Korean term 고기겹빵 is a descriptive compound consisting of 고기 (meat), 겹 (layer/double) and 빵 (bread).
Which one should you use?
고기겹빵 is a native-style term used in North Korea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
고기겹빵 is the term used in North Korea, where the loanword is replaced with the native-style term 'gogigyeopppang'.
How do you pronounce it?
haembeogeo
Did you know?
- The word 빵 in 고기겹빵 is actually a loanword from the Portuguese word 'pão', which entered the Korean language via Japan.
- The North Korean approach to the word uses a linguistic policy called 'purification', which aims to replace foreign loanwords with descriptive native-style compounds.
- The word 겹 in 고기겹빵 is the same root used in the word for 'double-sided' or 'layered' clothing, suggesting a physical folding of the bread.
Examples in context
- 제가 햄버거를 주문하겠습니다.I would like to order a hamburger.
- 버거 한 개 주세요.Please give me one hamburger.
- 버거 먹고 싶어. 같이 먹을래?I want to eat a hamburger. Do you want to eat together?
- 햄버거를 하나 주문했어요.haem-beo-geo-reul ha-na ju-mun-hae-sseo-yo.I ordered one hamburger.
- 이 햄버거 정말 맛있어요.i haem-beo-geo jeong-mal ma-si-sseo-yo.This hamburger is really delicious.
- 점심으로 햄버거 먹을까요?jeom-sim-eu-ro haem-beo-geo meok-eul-kka-yo?Shall we eat a hamburger for lunch?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 점심에 뭐 먹을래요?Min-ji ssi, jeom-sim-e mwo meok-eul-lae-yo?Minji, what do you want to eat for lunch?
- 민지 Min-ji저는 햄버거가 먹고 싶어요.jeo-neun haem-beo-geo-ga meok-go si-peo-yo.I want to eat a hamburger.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요. 근처에 맛있는 곳이 있어요.jo-a-yo. geun-cheo-e ma-si-neun got-i i-sseo-yo.Good. There is a delicious place nearby.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 그럼 거기로 가요!Hyeon-u ssi, geu-reom geo-ri-ro ga-yo!Hyunwoo, let's go there then!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hamburger” translations and entries 햄버거, 고기겹빵, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고기겹빵, 햄버거, CC BY-SA 4.0.
